Beware of the Yeast: Guarding Against the Thieves of Spiritual Fruit
“Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” — Mark 8:15
The Disciples’ Forgetfulness
In Mark 8:14–21 (which I encourage you to read), the scene opens with the disciples in a boat, preoccupied with the fact that they had only brought one loaf of bread. Their worry about lack quickly overshadowed the reality of Who was in the boat with them — the same Jesus who had just fed over 4,000 people with seven loaves, and before that, over 5,000 with five loaves and two fish.
This forgetfulness wasn’t just about memory loss — it was a heart posture. They saw their lack more vividly than they saw Jesus’ power. They were measuring the situation by human limitations rather than divine provision. In focusing on what they didn’t have, they were blind to the fact that the Creator of bread itself was in their midst.
Jesus uses this moment to warn them: “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” This wasn’t about literal bread. Just as yeast quietly permeates dough until it changes the entire loaf, certain mindsets and attitudes can infiltrate our hearts and shape our perspective without us realizing it. The yeast of the Pharisees represented unbelief, hypocrisy, and legalism — a religion without relationship. The yeast of Herod represented worldly power, pride, and self-reliance.
The danger is that these “yeasts” spread subtly, influencing our thoughts, priorities, and faith until they cloud our view of Jesus. In the disciples’ case, it caused them to forget the miracles they had just witnessed and to doubt His provision in the moment. In our lives, it can cause us to see anxiety, guilt, shame, bitterness, or fear as bigger than the King Himself.
Fruit Stealers in Our Lives
Today, we face our own kind of yeast — subtle but dangerous “fruit stealers” that creep into our hearts and choke out love, joy, peace, and trust:
Anxiety — makes us forget God’s past provision.
Worry — magnifies problems and shrinks our faith.
Guilt & Shame — keep us chained to past mistakes instead of walking in forgiveness.
Bitterness — poisons relationships and hardens our hearts.
Like yeast, these attitudes start small — a thought, a doubt, a hurt left unresolved — but they grow quickly, shaping how we see God, ourselves, and others.
Yeast Clouds Our Minds to the King
Just like the disciples in that boat, we can get so consumed by the “lack” in front of us that we forget the miracles behind us. The yeast of fear, pride, or unbelief can make us blind to Jesus’ presence right beside us.
When anxiety spreads, we forget the peace He’s given before. When shame rises, we forget the grace that already covered us. When bitterness bubbles up, we forget the forgiveness He poured out at the cross.
Jesus Modeled the Antidote
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus faced pressures, opposition, and temptation — yet He guarded His heart and mind with the truth of God’s Word. He refused the yeast of the religious leaders’ hypocrisy and Herod’s self-serving power. His focus was always on the Father’s mission, not on earthly fear or lack.
We can follow His example by:
Remembering His Works — Keep a journal of answered prayers and past victories.
Feeding on His Word Daily — Let truth crowd out lies before they take root.
Praying for Discernment — Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal subtle influences before they spread.
Choosing Gratitude — Thank God for what He’s done before you ask for what you need.
Walk It Out
Think about hat “yeast” is trying to spread in your life — anxiety, shame, worry, bitterness, or something else. Stop and speak a Scripture over it, declaring God’s truth before it grows.
Love in Action
Think of someone you know who’s currently battling a “fruit stealer” — maybe anxiety, worry, guilt, shame, or bitterness. Don’t just tell them you’ll pray for them; actively step into their day to remind them of God’s faithfulness.
Here are some ways you can do it:
Share a miracle story from your own life — either in person, through a text, or even a short handwritten note — to remind them of what God has done before.
Send them a specific Scripture that speaks to their struggle (for example, Isaiah 41:10 for fear, Romans 8:1 for guilt and shame). Include a sentence about why you’re sharing it with them.
Deliver a small encouragement package — their favorite coffee, a verse card, or a short devotional book — as a reminder that they are not forgotten and that God is still at work.
Offer to pray with them on the spot — not just “for them” later. That moment of agreement in prayer can break through the cloud of spiritual “yeast” that’s stealing their joy.
The goal is not only to encourage them but to actively point them back to King Jesus — the One who has been faithful before and will be faithful again.
