Matthew 16:6–12: “‘Watch out,’ Jesus said to them, ‘beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ So they began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we brought no bread.’ When Jesus learned of this, He said, ‘You who have such little faith, why are you arguing among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the 5,000 and how many baskets you took up? Or the seven loaves for the 4,000 and how many baskets you took up? How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread, but beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ Then they understood that He had not told them to be on guard against the yeast in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
You’ve been focused on this passage around how we interpret Scripture, and here Jesus is saying, “Watch out.”
Remember: you are going to watch out for yourself. You are going to take heed yourself. You are going to take responsibility yourself not to fall into error. Everyone is supposed to watch out. Everyone is supposed to be on guard. Everyone is supposed to beware.
Nobody else is responsible for you falling into error or for you not getting into error. So do not say, “That teacher taught me this… that person is the reason I am in error.” No. You are responsible.
Paul wrote, “The time will come when people will not tolerate sound teaching, but, having itching ears, they will heap up teachers for themselves” (2 Timothy 4:3). That is a warning not for “someone somewhere else”—it is a warning to me and to you.
Am I that person? Am I falling into error because that is what appeals to me? Is that not why I gravitate toward that error—because it appeals to me?
In 1 John 2, John wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world… For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father” (1 John 2:15–16). Those things can cloud my judgment about what is true. They can become a magnet that pulls me in the direction of error.
The point is: you are responsible for yourself not to get into error. Nobody else is responsible. That is why Jesus says, “Watch out.” He is not saying, “I will do it for you.” He is saying, “You yourself, watch out. You yourself, beware. Be on your guard.” Be sensitive to untruth floating around you.
And this is not a call to go and fight people. This is about your own soul.
When Paul wrote that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but powerful through God to demolish strongholds… arguments and every high thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5), he is talking about what is going on within your own heart. Let the light of truth shine in your own heart. Be on your guard in your own heart.
We have been told, “Guard your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus said, “Out of the heart come evil thoughts” (Matthew 15:19). Paul wrote that some, “weighed down with sins, are led about by various passions” (2 Timothy 3:6).
Be careful that the sin in you is not what is magnetizing you toward certain teachings—so that you do not just point the finger at “that teacher” or “that preacher,” but you take responsibility. In the ultimate scheme of things, you are responsible for yourself.
How do we know that? Look again at Jesus’ words. When He told Peter, “Satan has asked to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31–32), He is saying, “I will pray for you.” But here, in Matthew 16, He does not say, “I am praying you will never hear false teaching.” He says, “Beware.” You must watch out.
You watch out for a lot of things: you watch out for your money; you watch out when you are driving; you watch out how you use your time; you watch yourself in the mirror to be sure you are properly dressed.
But are you watching out for false teachers? Are you watching out for dangerous teaching?
God bless you. See you later.