Day 187 – Beware of Leaven

Description

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Purge Yourself of Leaven

With great show, the scribes and Pharisees proclaimed their love for God outwardly, but inwardly their hearts were far from Him. Jesus said of them, “Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me” (Matthew 15:7–8).

Part of God’s nature is that He is a jealous God. (See Exodus 20:5.) He wants more than just outward devotion; He wants our affections to be completely toward Him. God’s demand for our total loyalty is clearly stated in the first and greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30).