Avoiding Leaven

If there was one thing I had to wonder about in the Old Testament, it is the prohibition against leaven bread.  You know, light fluffy white bread, Wonder Bread.  What on Earth could the problem with Wonder Bread be?  It is supposed to be good for you!  In the New Testament, leaven is equated to all things worse with the world ....

In case you do not know leaven is nothing more than bacteria, it falls from the skies, is carried on the winds, it comes with the apple pollen - the old way to leaven bread.  I grew up with unleavened bread, it was normal.  In spring and when the apples and cherries bloomed, all manner of bowls could be found on tables and chairs underneath those trees - leavening the bread dough for wonderful breads and rolls!  Something to live for, that is for sure!

But somehow this is bad.

Mark 8:14-17

Grace
Jesus warns against signs and "leaven" of the religious leaders. 
Leaven is being equated with evil.
Leaven would then be legalism and worldliness.

Consider Ecclesiastes 12:10, "words of truth" ...
And Romans 14, protect the faith of the young and weak from vain arguments.

Lesson to be learned is that rules, regulations, the nonsense of religion are to be avoided.  It will turn you from your desired purpose and path!

Big Picture
Matthew 23:23
What is not leaven and therefore good: justice, mercy and faithfulness - and lest we forget - obedience in faith.

Consider also Luke 10:27 and Micah 6:8, within the context of this discussion!

"Love your neighbor as yourself", applied outside of 'christianity's' New Age Pagan understanding.
"To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

The Correct Path
Points to the Kingdom of God, not man.
Must keep our eyes on the correct path and not be deviated from His direction.
Focus our eyes on Jesus .... NOT man's rules and regulations.

It is so terribly easy to get waylaid on our journey in Jesus - we blink and find ourselves knocked sides.  Make no mistake, get knocked sideways - then get back up, wipe yourself off, repent and continue the journey.  It is just that easy, oh yeah, it might take you years to get that first trembling foot back on the path - but it will be there, Jesus will still be there and with the help of the Holy Spirit - you are going to make it!  You might need a very trusted friend in the faith as well, if you are so lucky.

One last verse, Philippians 2:12 I will toss out for you to consider in this entire discussion ...