Matthew 16:6 – “And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, several realities filled my thoughts.  Natural thinking leads to spiritual poverty.  In Matthew 16, the disciples had forgotten to take bread (needed provisions).  In verse 6, Jesus warned about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Natural thinking robbed them of Revelation.

In verse 8, Jesus called their faith small.  He reminded them of the miracles of feeding the multitudes. In other words, “Hey guys, you are concerned about bread! Remember what I did! I have already demonstrated that natural food is not a problem.”    Having the wrong focus opens the door to wrong actions.

Natural thinking prevents one from having God’s fullness.  Matthew 18:16-20 is a powerful reminder of the path to peace and plenty, or poverty spiritually.   Sin is never ignored, but restoration must be the goal.  Go to them “in private.” That is key #1.

Then, take 2 or 3 for a second meeting.  This is not a gang of buddies but godly, prayerful, objective, and informed people whose hearts are for restoration.  Their counsel may be to you as well as the offender.  The objective is not exposure; it is restoration.

Then, take it to the church.  Do you notice something missing?  It is private, and before the church, not a public proclamation of their sins and failures. That is not seeking restoration. God’s desire is restoration!

In verses 21-22, Peter spoke out of natural thinking.  He sought to limit forgiveness, but Jesus made it unlimited.  Natural thinking wants justification for its anger.  Spiritual thinking seeks restoration even at the expense of hurt.

The key is Matthew 19:21.   Die to self, release everything to God (even your hurt). That which holds your heart controls you.   My heart breaks for the offender and the offended.  Both need healing and restoration.  I’m praying for an outpouring of the mind of Christ to break the power of natural thinking.

LORD, help us to avoid Spiritual Poverty and live in the Abundant Life of Jesus!