Leaven = (a substance, typically yeast, that is used in dough to make it rise.
Galations 5:9
New International Version
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
English Standard Version
A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Physical leaven is an agent like yeast that is introduced into a lump of dough. The yeast produces bubbles of gas in the process called fermentation. These bubbles spread throughout the entire lump of dough causing the dough to rise. This is how a typical loaf of bread is made.
Spiritual leaven is anything we allow into our lives contrary to the word of God. Allowing spiritual leaven into our lives can lead to SINFUL BEHAVIOR.
So, when the Apostle Paul says in Gal 5:9, "A little leaven leavens the whole lump,' what is he saying to the Galatians and to us?
He's saying that a little bit of 'untruth,' a little bit of 'false teaching,' a little bit of 'impure thoughts' is leaven that can affect and transform the whole person.
Leaven is allowed in through the mind (thoughts), then seeps into the heart, creating a desire. That desire, if strong enough, can lead to a sinful action. A sinful action, in turn, can eventually destroy a person's walk with Christ ... even a person's life.
Isn't this why God's word instructs us:
-- In 2 Cor 10:5, "... bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of
Christ."
-- In Phil 4:8, " Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."
-- In Prov 23:7, "For as he (a man) thinks in his heart, so is he." (What this implies is that the emotions within our heart will be made manifest, eventually.)
Next, what's the definition of SIN? The dictionary definition of sin is:
'A deliberate act of transgression against Divine Law.' It's behavior contrary to the word of God.
So, if God's word says not to do something, and we do it ... or, if His word says to do something and we don't do it ... IT'S SIN.
And the leaven we allow in spreads like a cancer: First into our mind, then our heart, then into our will, causing a sinful action that could destroy our life because of our disobedience.
(for example) God, having made Adam and Eve in his own image, placed them in paradise (Garden of Eden), giving them complete freedom except for one restriction:
“You may eat from any tree in the garden but do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve knew of this restriction because God told them directly. Adam and Eve didn't hear of God's command through a prophet or read it in scripture. God told them directly because He walked with them in the Garden.
But then Satan came to Eve as a serpent placing 'a little leaven of doubt' into her mind causing her to question God's restriction. Satan asked Eve: "Are you sure God said He didn't want you to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?' "Did God really mean that?"
So, Eve allowed the leaven of doubt to circulate from mind to heart, creating a strong desire to eat the apple God commanded her not to do. She then convinced Adam to eat, which he did, by offering him a piece of her leaven of doubt.
And what were the consequences of Eve allowing that 'little bit' of leaven into her mind, which then seeped into her heart, which created the desire, which then caused a sinful action that also affected Adam?
That 'little bit of leaven of doubt' caused both Adam and Eve to be expelled from the Garden by God Himself. Additional consequences were from then on, generation to generation, men would be required to till the field for food; and women would suffer pain during child-birth. Disobedience to God and to His word is leaven to the soul! "A little leaven leavens the whole lump."
