The corrupting influence linked to the Pharisees and Sadducees

The teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees as though every part of it were equally safe

A problem with the route they were traveling

Jesus says the topic was not ordinary food

He warns them to be careful about the leaven tied to the Pharisees and Sadducees

The disciples are being shown as not understanding him

Pay close attention to the messages shaping you and turn from what pulls you away from Christ

Focus on religious routines while assuming ideas do not matter much

Treat every teaching as equally safe if it sounds spiritual

Keep chasing extra food so you will not miss the point again

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that I need your mercy. I turn from my sin and from every lie that pulls me away from you. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. Forgive me, lead me into truth, and be my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Receive Jesus in Truth

Lord, awaken your church to hear you clearly and to understand you rightly. Where we have been careless, easily swayed, or slow to notice danger, give us sharp discernment and humble hearts. Keep us from the quiet spread of false influence, and make us a people who listen well to Jesus and guard his truth, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Wake Your Church to Discernment

Pray by naming one place where you may have mistaken a surface issue for a deeper spiritual one. Ask Jesus to show you the truth, then ask for one concrete next step of discernment today.

Ask for Clear Sight

Bring these to God: protection for your mind from messages that slowly distort your trust in Christ; clarity to notice what is merely persuasive but not true; strength to turn away from whatever weakens your faith.

Protection from Quiet Distortion

Confess to God any stubborn misunderstanding, any habit of hearing without really listening, and any tendency to assume Jesus was talking about something smaller than he was. Ask him to give you a teachable and attentive heart.

Confession for Careless Hearing

Pray for friends, teachers, and churches to recognize harmful influence, speak truth with wisdom, and help others stay alert to what is spiritually dangerous.

Pray for Wise Teachers and Hearers

πῶς{POS###POHS###how} οὐ{OO###OO###not} νοεῖτε{no-EE-te###noh-EE-teh###you understand} ὅτι{HO-ti###HOH-tee###that} οὐ{OO###OO###not} περὶ{pe-RI###peh-REE###about} ⸀ἄρτων{AR-ton###AHR-tohn###loaves} εἶπον{EE-pon###EE-pohn###I spoke} ὑμῖν;{hee-MEEN###hee-MEEN###to you} ⸂προσέχετε{pro-SE-khe-te###proh-SE-kheh-teh###beware} δὲ⸃{DE###DEH###but} ἀπὸ{a-PO###ah-POH###of} τῆς{TEES###TEES###the} ζύμης{ZEE-mees###ZEE-mees###leaven of} τῶν{TON###TOHN###the} Φαρισαίων{fa-ri-SE-on###fah-ri-SEH-ohn###Pharisees} καὶ{KE###KEH###and} Σαδδουκαίων.{sad-doo-KE-on###sahd-doo-KEH-ohn###Sadducees}

Matthew 16:11 — LiteralTAB

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