Be careful what you hear and who you hear from

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | May 26, 2023 | Matthew 16:5-12

KEY VERSE: “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:6 (NIV)

MESSAGE: The English Cambridge Dictionary’s meaning of “Take heed” is to pay attention to something and be careful about it. And to beware is used to warn someone to be careful about something or someone.

The warning of Jesus to His disciples, therefore, was not only about the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees and Sadducees but also about the carriers of the doctrines themselves. So, in effect, He was telling them to pay attention to the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees and be careful about the kind of doctrine being taught by them. He was also warning them to be careful about the Pharisees and Sadducees themselves. Both the messenger and the message are important in this equation.

Earlier verses and chapters lend credence to this warning, as these two groups of people in verses 1-4 had just attempted to test Jesus. Throughout the scriptures, these two sects have been known to always oppose the ministry of Jesus. Jesus after teaching His disciples discernment earlier, also had to teach them to be careful what they hear. They were assuming wrongly until Jesus gave them a word, and then they discerned and understood that He was talking about the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees and not bread.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE: We are surrounded by a lot of false teachers and prophets (Jer. 14:14) propagating a lot of false doctrines (Gal 1:8-9) in our day. Are you able to know which doctrine is of God and which is not? Do you know what the Bible calls the doctrine of demons? (1 Tim 4:1). The warning of Jesus to His disciples is still relevant to us today, to “take Heed and Beware” less we be swindled into following a doctrine that is not of God. We need discernment, much more in these perilous times. We need to have the word of God to ground ourselves to discern false doctrine and false teachers. Beware of what you hear and who you hear from, your spiritual sanctity depends on it.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me. Help me to ground myself in your word and prayer. So, I may be able to know your will for my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!