ASSEMBLIES OF GODDaily Devotional
Yeast of Human Nature
Read Deuteronomy 19:1 through 21:23
A small amount of yeast causes a loaf of bread to rise. And only a small amount of sin can infect a whole group of people, which is why God spoke so strongly about purging sin from among the Israelites.
In 1 Corinthians 5:6, Paul warns that “a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough” when explaining how to deal with an immoral church member. Like Moses in the Old Testament, Paul in the New Testament says the sin must be purged—completely eradicated.
Inherent in human nature, however, is a desire to do things not aligned with God’s directives. Moses explained what would happen if the Israelites did not completely destroy the people in the land God was giving them:
Otherwise, they will teach you to follow all the detestable things they do in worshiping their gods, and you will sin against the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 20:18).
God’s reason for instructing people to purge sin from their community is the same for Old Testament Israelites and Christ-followers in the New Testament and those who follow Him in the modern era.
Thought for Today: What do I do when I recognize sin in my life?
Quicklook: Deuteronomy 20:14–18