It is crucial in this time, for us as God’s people to be wise in dealing with the influence of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees and with the leaven of Herod. Jesus Christ warned His disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod (cf. Matthew 16:6; Mark 8:15).

 

5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread.

6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

 

15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.”

 

 

These three mentioned leavens are an indication of three influences of the adversary in the form of the religious spirit (Note: leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees) and the political spirit (Note: leaven of Herod).

 

The respective leaven contains a certain view or doctrine. This includes words that are intended to penetrate into the realm of truth and justice with the intention of perverting it. In the context of mixing ingredients for baking, the percentage of yeast used in the flour is much lower, but it effectively helps the dough to expand and ferment.

 

Herod's doctrine is based on fear and envy.

The doctrine of the Pharisees is based on legalism and hypocrisy.

The doctrine of the Sadducees rejects the supernatural work of God as well as the gifts of the spirit.

 

If we allow this triune evil influence to be granted, the result is death of spiritual life which is like a spiritual desert in which demonic powers in the form of desert owls, ravens, jackals, ostriches, desert dogs, hyenas, wild goats (hebr. ‘śā’îr’), great owls (hebr.: ‘the desert owl’), the screech owl (hebr. ‘Lilit’ => night demon) and the night creatures have their place and are the ones who are able to control the spiritual life (cf. Isaiah 34:10b-15).

 

.. 10b From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever pass through it again.

11 The desert owl and screech owl will possess it; the great owl and the raven will nest there. God will stretch out over Edom the measuring line of chaos and the plumb line of desolation.

12 Her nobles will have nothing there to be called a kingdom, all her princes will vanish away.

13 Thorns will overrun her citadels, nettles and brambles her strongholds. She will become a haunt for jackals, a home for owls.

14 Desert creatures will meet with hyenas, and wild goats will bleat to each other; there the night creatures will also lie down and find for themselves places of rest.

15 The owl will nest there and lay eggs, she will hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings; there also the falcons will gather, each with its mate.

 

It is the intention of the Holy Spirit to reveal to us opposing influences such as those of the three ‘leavens’ so that we may lead a holy, strategic, spiritual fight according to the Word of God and defeat the resistance against the truth (cf. Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:4-5).

 

12 For our struggle (Note: fight) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

 

4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

 

It is through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we reveal the influence of the respective leaven with the light of revelation in the form of the gift of the discernment of spirits (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:10).

 

… 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

 

The people who are under this evil influence of the ‘leaven’ and who have let themselves be captured by it, must be met in wisdom without attacking them personally. In this context, we should be aware of the victory of Christ on the cross of Golgotha, who stripped all powers and authorities of their power and publicly displayed them (cf. Colossians 2:15).

 

15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

 

The exposing and overcoming of these dark powers is done with the help of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. These two spiritual ‘components’ are linked to the illumination of the eyes of our heart, so that we speak the right words and make the right choices in each situation. Given to this wisdom and revelation we advance in the will of the Father of glory in His given hope (cf. Ephesians 1:17-18).

 

17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, …

 

 

In order to recognize the influence of the ‘leaven of Herod’ in our time, it is important to know where in the Bible it is mentioned (cf. Matthew 2:1-12).

 

The influence of this spiritual principality is not immediately apparent and cannot be clearly or easily identified. It operates in secret and deceitful ways, so it is wise to speak to experienced/mature Christians who can recognize it and call it by its name.

Most of the time the effect of the gift of the discernment of spirits becomes apparent at the appearance of the ‘political spirit’ (Note: ‘leaven of Herod’) in a way that you have a bad feeling in the abdominal area and an increased blood pressure (Note: strong and fast pulse).

 

 

In the first place, it took possession of king Herod, who was the king of Judea. Herod got into this position of government through his violent, deceitful, lying and deceptive nature. He came into this supremacy in the way that he had a group of people who followed him. And this group was called Herodians (cf. Matthew 22:16a; Mark 6:17.19.22.27-28; Luke 3:19-20).

 

16a They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. …

 

17 For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. …

19 So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, …

22 When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I’ll give it to you.” …

27 So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, 28 and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

 

19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of his marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

 

The Herodian group was a Jewish political party. It is the influence of the political spirit which joins together with three groups of people to prepare and carry out a destructive attack on the coming revelatory truth of the Word of God as God’s plan within the church (note: gr. ‘ekklēsia’).

 

This circle of persons were the Pharisees, Sadducees and scribes. King Herod was integrated into this circle in order to be able to exercise his power effectively. This also shows that the ‘political spirit’ doesn’t work by itself and therefore it is difficult to recognize it.

 

It’s attack usually doesn’t work directly, but from the ambush, using the truth of the three networks of people to plan an attack against the revelatory truth and the life of God, which the Lord has appointed for the future. People who act from the ‘leaven of Herod’ act from a sneaky, observant and outwardly seemingly good and beneficial environment. This is the reason why Jesus Christ called the king Herod a fox (see Luke 13:32a).

 

32a He replied, “Go tell that fox, …”

 

Herod was a cunning or sneaky deceiver. The root of this false heart attitude and behavior is envy and fear. To give an example of how the ‘political spirit’ acts, let us take the situation and circumstance of the birth of Jesus (cf. Matthew 2:1-12).

 

When Herod heard of the birth of King Jesus by the wise men, he set up a private meeting with the Pharisees and scribes to talk about the situation in question (cf. Matthew 2:4).

 

4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born.

 

He directed the Pharisees and scribes to teach him the prophecies that existed about the birth of Christ.

 

The scribes and Pharisees assumed that king Herod was interested in the prophetic words so they instructed him in all prophetic words about Christ as well as the place of His birth (cf. Matthew 2:5-6).

 

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written (cf. Micah 5:2.4):

6 “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

 

Herod took this information and called another private meeting with the wise men. He let them know that he was aware that the Savior was coming.

 

Based on this knowledge, he asked the wise men with an evil ulterior motive (note: to kill Jesus) to find Christ and then to inform him about the location so that he himself could come to give glory to Him (see Matthew 2:7-8).

 

7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.

8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

 

The Motive of Herod

The attitude of Herod's heart was not to honor Jesus Christ but to kill him.

And exactly at this point lies one of the tactical approaches of the ‘political spirit’.

 

Herod had a positive effect on the Pharisees, scribes and wise men through his outwardly good, apparent behavior, although he had murderous thoughts against Jesus in his heart. The reason why Herod had murderous thoughts is to be found in it because he was afraid that someone with higher authority would appear and take his place.

Looking at the church today, Jesus’ warning about the ‘leaven of the Pharisees’ and the ‘leaven of Herod’ shows an important warning revelation that we as God’s people should heed. In the end, Jesus warns us against envy, jealousy, rivalries, which are poured into the heart of man by the adversary because of a lie (Note: e.g.: ‘He/She takes away my reputation.’).

 

This has the consequence that the motive of the heart changes, which contributes to deceitful procedures in the church. Some believers are not aware of any guilt, similar to the high priests and scribes at the time of Jesus’ birth, so that they freely communicate everything to people who are in a position of supremacy and make themselves available to the political spirit to tell everything that is currently going on in the church or in the respective communities.

Such an action is equal to the betrayal of Judas, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss (cf. Luke 22:47-48)!

Luke 22:47-48:
47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

At this time, it is necessary to be wise and to weigh the scriptures (cf. Romans 13:1; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-14), which are related to respect for the governmental authorities, against the entire Word of God and its standards in order to secure the given life of God for His church – ekklēsia, and to bring it forth in the present and future time.

Nor did the apostles bow to the instruction of the governing authority of their time (Note: Sanhedrin – High Council), when that authority was set to prohibit the message of the revelatory truth of the Word of God (cf. Acts 4:18-20; Acts 5:40-42).

Acts 4:18-20:
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!

20 As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

Acts 5:40-42:
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

People in leadership positions are particularly at risk of falling victim to the influence of the ‘leaven of Herod’, especially if they have been able to take advantage of the state system in the past and perform their ministry under state requirements.

It is of great importance within the body of Christ to be careful not to be played off by the deception of the ‘political spirit’. This is the reason why Jesus warned His disciples and also us against the ‘triune leaven’.

The Spheres of Influence of the ‘Political Spirit’ and How to Protect Yourself from It

‘Herod’s leaven’ in the form of the ‘political spirit’ makes use of smaller as well as larger areas of influence. This includes influencing small communities, large communities, individuals, groups of networks or nations.

It is therefore required to pay sensitive attention to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth and allows us to be trained by Him in spiritual warfare in order to establish the victory of Christ and His justice on earth (cf. Psalm 18:34; Psalm 144:1).

Psalm 18:34:
34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Psalm 144:1:
1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
Furthermore, it is important that we keep our hearts protected in order to avoid the influence of the ‘political spirit’ and deny it access.

Proverbs 4:23:
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

One of the entry points for the ‘political spirit’ to work is a person’s attitude of heart or an order established by people. To protect yourself from the influence of the ‘leaven of Herod’, you need to make sure you walk in purity with a sincere attitude of heart before the LORD. This attitude leads to not permitting any false motives or orders that could have a negative influence, such as bribe.
Such a pure approach prevents the access of this evil spiritual influence (see Psalm 51:12; Proverbs 22:11).

 

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

 

Proverbs 22:11:
11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king (Note: Jesus Christ) for a friend.

 

Another protection against the ‘political spirit’ is continually to be obedient to the voice of the Holy Spirit, which protects us from giving this evil influence a breeding ground for destruction (cf. Matthew 2:12).

Matthew 2:12:
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

If we are obedient to the Holy Spirit, He will reveal the wrong attitudes of the heart on a large scale and in public just as it happened with Herod. When Herod noticed that the wise men did not return to him, the true heart of Herod was revealed (cf. Matthew 2:16).

Matthew 2:16:
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

It is necessary that we are equipped with the wisdom from above (cf. James 3:13-18) to take action against this political spirit in our lives.

James 3:13-18:
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

When the influence of the political spirit in the church is exposed through revelation, the Bride will emerge in her true nature and beauty to glorify Christ Jesus, her Bridegroom, as well as to bring forth the revelatory truth of the Word of God for this time, which comes with greater authority.

The Reasoning Behind the Revelation of the ‘Political Spirit’

The reason why we as the church are more strongly opposed to the influence of the triune ‘leaven’ at this time is that the enemy hates the true apostolic government of God on earth, which the Lord permits to be exercised by the church and therefore uses this falsification.

This means that the ‘political spirit’ is a false, governing spirit that bears the appearance of apostolic government (note: leadership competence) but doesn’t possess it by God. It wants to rule through the system and the ways of men by controlling them. The heart of the ‘political spirit’ is power and control.

It is the desire of Christ that His church should be apostolic and kingdom oriented in this time, so that we take our reign in Him to release His position on earth. We as His church are destined to rule on earth in His love and wisdom.

I personally consider it no coincidence that in one of His parables Jesus compares the kingdom of Heaven to leaven, which a woman (note: the church – ekklēsia) took and mixed with sixty pounds of flour (cf. Matthew 13:33).

Matthew 13:33:
33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

Hereby Jesus compared the use of holy leaven by a woman (note: covenant partner of God through true spiritual intimacy) with the use of evil leaven by three kinds of male persons representing false exercise of authority.

The use of holy leaven involves a humble and attitude of heart in order to receive from the Heavenly Father the seed through the Holy Spirit and then to work effectively for the cause of the Kingdom.

The Lord is blending an already established area of His righteousness and truth (note: flour) within His kingdom people on earth with the measure of His will (note: leaven) for the kingdom at this time, so that there is an increase in understanding and greater exercise of the kingdom. He does this through the apostolic intervention of His bride.

In this context, there is a connection between the leaven of the kingdom and the power of the testimony of Jesus, the spirit of prophecy, which through the power of revelation brings the established truth to a higher level of understanding of government associated with the glorious freedom and reign of the sons of God (cf. John 8:32 i.c.w. Romans 8:21).

John 8:32:
“32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Romans 8:21:
… 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children (Note: Sons) of God.

 

It is true worship and the spirit of prophecy that keep the ‘political spirit’ which is impregnated with religious influence in check and even cause people’s hearts to be changed so that they are prevented by the Spirit of God from bringing destruction.

 

It is similar to the time of David when he fled from Saul to the prophet Samuel at Naioth in Ramah, so that Saul with an ill intent sent messengers to him several times to send for David, which didn’t succeed because these messengers went into prophetic trance, so that in the end Saul personally went there and went also into prophetic trance (cf. 1 Samuel 19:18-24).

1 Samuel 19:18-24:
18 When David had fled and made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there.

19 Word came to Saul: “David is in Naioth at Ramah”; 20 so he sent men to capture him. But when they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men, and they also prophesied.

21 Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied.

22 Finally, he himself left for Ramah and went to the great cistern at Seku. And he asked, “Where are Samuel and David?” “Over in Naioth at Ramah,” they said.

23 So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth.

24 He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”

It is true worship (Note: represented by David) and the prophetic anointing (Note: represented by Samuel), which contribute to the fact that the LORD exposes the political spirit with his allies (Note: represented by Saul and his messengers) at the center of the revelatory truth of the Word of God. By this, the people are given the opportunity to repent and renew their spirit and mind (cf. Hebrews 4:12-13 i.c.w. Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23-24).

Hebrews 4:12-13:
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Romans 12:2:
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ephesians 4:23:
… 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; …

(Note: The message is based in part on a revelatory insight regarding a conversation on the subject of the ‘political spirit’ that Patricia King had with Faisal Malick in one of her broadcast formats.)

 

Amen and Amen.

 

In His Wisdom,

 

Daniel Glimm