“The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
This follows the parable of the mustard-seed, and is similar in its teaching. Seeing that scripture uniformly uses leaven as a type of evil, it is surprising that this parable is so repeatedly explained as teaching the “invisible working of grace” It must be because Christians, who look for universal progress, improvement, and a converted world, are loathe to see that our Lord, instead of this bright prospect, foretold evil first — evil in the kingdom of heaven, or the professing church which now answers to it. There will, indeed, be a time of universal blessing, as we know (Isa. 11:99They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)), but not until the Lord Himself comes, and purges out of His kingdom all things that offend, as is taught in Matt. 13:4141The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; (Matthew 13:41), and other passages.
Without a doubt, then, leaven signifies evil doctrine (as “the tares,” and “the birds of the air,” pointed out evil persons), and, as its name implies, it works secretly, as yeast when mixed with meal. And can anyone be so blind as not to see how wide-spread are evil doctrines in this our day? The Bible, that was once appealed to by all, is now itself called in question, and assailed on every hand. Instead of that being their judge (John 12:4848He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)), men, while calling it the word of God, are judging it! We must not wonder, then, that doctrines are thought little of amid the running wild of men’s thoughts.” Damnable heresies” is God’s own term respecting the evils that are associated with His professing people, and by” feigned words” many are drawn aside. (2 Pet. 2:1-31But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. (2 Peter 2:1‑3).) How needful, then, to be able, by the word and the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to discern all that is not of God, and to turn away from such!