A little works through the whole batch. That's what we're told about yeast or leavening in God's Word (Matthew 13:33; Luke 13:21; 1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). Leaven includes various agents, the most common of which is yeast. It causes dough or batter to rise through the process of fermentation. Yeast or leaven spreads by contact of particle with particle, changing each particle into its own nature at contact. Thus, it penetrates and diffuses its power throughout the whole batch. In the New Testament scriptures, yeast or leaven is symbolic of anything which influences something far larger than itself.

Jesus used yeast or leaven to illustrate positive influence. He compared yeast or leaven to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 13:33) and the kingdom of God (Luke 13:21). One person influences those with whom he comes into contact. Those people, in turn, do the same. Thus, those within the kingdom are like yeast or leavening, penetrating and diffusing the power of the Gospel message and Christian way of living.

Likewise, Jesus used yeast or leaven to illustrate negative influence. He compared yeast or leaven to the teaching of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herod, and to hypocrisy (Matthew 16:6-12; Mark 8:15; Luke 12:1). The apostle Paul also used yeast or leaven in comparison with sin, including sexual immorality, boasting, malice, wickedness, and disobedience (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 5:7-10). One person influences those with whom he comes into contact, this time in a negative way, spreading sin or at least indifference to it. Then, those people, spread sin or indifference to sin further.

Which type of yeast or leaven are you? Your influence is more powerful than you might imagine. You really do influence everyone with whom you come into contact. Is your influence positive or negative? Are you furthering the kingdom or spreading sin? Live your life for Christ and use your influence wisely. Just as the Bible teaches us, a little works through the whole batch.