When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.  “Be careful,” Jesus said to them.  “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”  Matthew 16:5

From a baker’s viewpoint, there’s a simple message about yeast: a small amount can make a big difference. Just half a teaspoon can change an entire loaf of bread. The same principle applies spiritually—Jesus warns us that spiritual yeast can be harmful. Therefore, we should be mindful of the company we keep, as our relationships can significantly impact our spiritual journey.

The disciples, however, missed the point. They thought Jesus was referring to physical matters instead of spiritual ones. He tried to hint that He was talking about the Pharisees and Sadducees, warning that spending time with them could expose them to the spiritual dangers they represented. 

Pharisees were quick to judge others based on how closely they resembled them, believing they were the only ones favored by God. They made no room for diversity; if you were Gentile, you were excluded from worshiping God. This mindset feels all too familiar today. Fundamentalist thinking often causes people to see their own denomination as the only valid one. Protestants might view any Catholic as an unbeliever, while Catholics consider Protestants separated brethren, separated from the fullness of faith and the sacraments. Baptists may see Presbyterians as misguided, just as Presbyterians might find the Baptist culture unappealing. It’s troubling how we categorize people based on differences instead of unifying around the core tenets of the Gospel. 

I’ve traveled to Canada many times over the years. I saw firsthand that denominations collaborate closely because Christianity is a shrinking minority in their country. They recognize that without coming together, spreading the Gospel effectively is a challenge. I was so encouraged by their example.  

What about your church? Is there a sense of exclusivity? Do they speak poorly of those outside your denominational group?  Be careful of such influences. We each need to guard against spiritual arrogance.  We are bent that way in our flesh, and we must starve the beast.  To hang around with spiritual elitists is to endanger our hearts with the most dangerous sort of spiritual yeast.  

Make spiritual arrogance repulsive to me. In Jesus name, Amen