The line that stood out to me this morning was Paul saying, “Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough?”

I think what Paul is getting at is pretty simple. You only put a little yeast in the dough, but eventually it works its way through the whole thing. Kind of like the old saying that one rotten apple can ruin the bunch. You let one little thing in and, if you don’t deal with it, pretty soon it starts affecting everything.

I think the same can happen inside of us. We tolerate one sin, one bad habit, a little pride, a little resentment, a little selfishness, and convince ourselves it isn’t that big of a deal. But that little bit of old leaven can start working its way into how we think, how we act, and especially how we treat other people.

That made me think about the scribes and Pharisees in the Gospel. They weren’t murderers or thieves. They were religious men who probably thought they were doing the right thing. But somewhere along the way, pride and being set in their ways had worked its way in. So when Jesus did something that didn’t fit how they thought things should go, “they became enraged.”

I can see that in myself. Maybe I don’t become enraged, but I can sure get aggravated when my plans change or people don’t act the way I think they should. And maybe that aggravation is worth paying attention to. What little bit of old leaven have I allowed to hang around?

Paul says the answer is “sincerity and truth.” Be honest about what is in there and let Christ clean it out before a little thing becomes a big thing.

Today I pray for the grace to recognize the old leaven in myself and quit making excuses for it.

I pray each of you receives the grace you need today.

Keep up the good fight.

I’m praying for you. Please pray for me.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:1–8; Luke 6:6–11