Wednesday, November 11
Scripture: "Then He charged them, saying, 'Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.'" Mark 8:15 (NKJV)
Reflection:
Leaven is a little bit of yeast that works its way through the whole loaf and makes it rise. Jesus warned His disciples about two kinds.
Pastor Tyler said the leaven of Herod stood for the political system. "It's seeking to puff you up, but listen, when it puffs you up it's really bringing you down." The leaven of the Pharisees is self-righteousness. He called it "do-it-yourself Christianity," the kind that always has something to boast about and someone to point a finger at, "because it wants to feel better than other people."
Both make us feel bigger, but both take us farther from the comfort of His presence. Pastor Tyler's answer was plain: "We must spit it out." Then we can develop a taste for something better, the communion of His presence, where we are seated with Christ.
And it isn't a new project to work harder at. As he put it, "Not working for grace, but working from grace works." You don't have to puff yourself up to be loved. You already have a seat at His table.
Question: Where are you tempted to feel bigger, by being right, by being better, or by being on the right side?
Practice: The next time you catch yourself comparing or pointing a finger today, stop and thank God for one specific grace He has given you that you didn't earn.
Prayer: Lord, take the pride out of me before it takes me down. Give me a taste for Your presence instead of the praise of people. Amen.
This devotional is part of Comfort, from Pastor Tyler Worley's message on November 8, 2026. Watch the full message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzOPRVKVADE