One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, demanding that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority. He replied, “You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow; red sky in the morning means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times! Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.” Then Jesus left them and went away. Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Matthew 16:1-12 NLT
Make no mistake; you are influenced by those that teach you. The Pharisees and Sadducees were people who had spiritual and political influence in Jesus' day, but they could not understand the message of Jesus. They asked for a sign but ignored the countless signs already done. The final sign would be the resurrection; would they accept or deny it? The disciples were arguing about not having bread, seemingly forgetting that Jesus had provided bread for thousands. Christ warned His disciples not to be influenced by the political power of the Sadducees or the legalistically disciplined lives of the Pharisees. These leaders had blinded their eyes to the truth of God; may the disciples not be blind to the lessons of faith.
Most people understand they are influenced, but most underestimate how much they are influenced by their friends, family, job, and teachers. Every piece of media contains a message; most swallow this message without thinking. Be wise and be wary. Use God's word as a filter. Choose wisely what you allow to influence you, and don't foolishly believe that you are not influenced.
Which influences in your life draw you closer to Christ? How do you limit your exposure to influences that pull you away from your Savior?
