Wisdom's Corner
Do Not Be Leaven or Have Leaven

Leaven is considered to be good for dough. It is not fermented, meaning it is not old. Leaven makes the dough rise when making bread. In the Old Testament, leaven was used to make bread. But it was not allowed to be in the house during the Passover. And if a person was found to have leaven in his house during the Passover, he was considered unclean. He was cut off from the congregation. He was no longer considered a part of the congregation of Israel.

This leaven was a symbol of impurity and sin. In the fifth chapter of the book of 1 Corinthians is a discussion of this symbol. The person who is sinning in a very public way should not be allowed to be a part of the congregation, the church. This is to keep the church pure. Even a "little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." The word 'little' is the word for very, very small. It only takes one person who is sinning this way to effect the whole congregation in a bad way.

In order to keep the sin from spreading in the congregation the person should be sent from the congregation. He should know he cannot remain a part of the congregation unless he changes his life. He must understand he cannot worship in sincerity or truth until he changes.

I want to be a part of God's church. I know you do too. Study God's word, the Bible, and learn what you are to do to obey God. Learn to be unleaven. Do not be leaven. Do not accept others who have leaven.

Until next time, get the wisdom of God. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

Mark McWhorter

Copyright 1999

Published by The Old Paths Bible School
(http://www.oldpaths.org)