How can we practically "cleanse out the old leaven" in our lives today? A Little Leaven, the Whole Batch: Why This Matters • 1 Corinthians 5:6: “Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough?” • In Scripture, leaven pictures sin’s quiet, spreading power (Exodus 12:15; Galatians 5:9). • Because every word of Scripture is accurate and literal, Paul’s warning still applies: left unchecked, even a “little” sin reshapes an entire life, family, or church. Spotting the Old Leaven in Daily Life • Hidden habits: private lust, secret bitterness, undeclared envy. • Poisoned attitudes: sarcasm, cynicism, complaining (Philippians 2:14). • Compromised morals: entertainment that normalizes impurity (Psalm 101:3). • False teaching: ideas that deny clear biblical truth (2 Peter 2:1). • Relational rot: unforgiveness, gossip, passive-aggressive silence (Ephesians 4:31). Personal Sweep-Out Steps 1. Confess immediately – 1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13. Name the sin without excuses. 2. Repent decisively – “Put off your former way of life” (Ephesians 4:22). Choose a 180-degree turn, not a slow curve. 3. Flood the heart with truth – Psalm 119:11; Romans 12:2. Daily intake of unfiltered Scripture displaces lies. 4. Replace, don’t just remove – Ephesians 4:24. Exchange anger with kindness, lust with love, worry with trust. 5. Cut off supply lines – Matthew 5:29-30. Delete, block, unsubscribe, relocate—whatever starves the sin. 6. Invite accountability – James 5:16; Hebrews 3:13. A trusted believer who asks hard questions is a gift. 7. Practice ongoing self-examination – 2 Corinthians 13:5. Regular checkups catch leaven early. 8. Serve others actively – Galatians 5:13. Focused, humble service keeps self-indulgence at bay. Household and Church Clean-Up • Parents model and enforce holiness at home (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). • Friends confront one another in gentleness (Galatians 6:1). • Churches exercise loving discipline when sin is public and unrepentant (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). • Unity is preserved when purity is protected; the reverse is impossible. Keeping the Dough Unleavened: Daily Habits • Unhurried time in Word and prayer each morning (Mark 1:35). • Weekly corporate worship and communion (Hebrews 10:25). • Quick, full forgiveness when wronged (Colossians 3:13). • Delighting in wholesome joys: creation, fellowship, music that honors Christ (Philippians 4:8). • Fleeing every “appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Our Motivation: Christ, Our Passover Lamb • 1 Corinthians 5:7: “Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed.” • His once-for-all sacrifice makes us unleavened in position; our daily cleansing aligns practice with that position. • The Holy Spirit supplies power (Romans 8:13). • Cleansing the old leaven is not grim duty but grateful response: we sweep because the Lamb has already saved the house. |
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