There’s More Than Enough

“The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. ‘Be careful,’ Jesus warned them. ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod'” (Mark 8:15).

Why did Jesus warn them about religious and political spirits at this moment? I’m sure it was partly because the Pharisees they’d recently encountered were still on his mind, but I believe it was more about the disciples’ hearts. There wasn’t enough bread to go around. But rather than having mindsets shaped by the miracle they’d just seen, in which God provided more than enough for thousands, they let fear of there not being enough subvert their faith, and began to blame each other for their poverty like professional politicians.

You don’t always know you’re being influenced, much less deceived, by a political or religious spirit until you let God show you what’s growing in your heart and mind. It can be really healthy and good to have differing points of view than those around you have. But if there’s bitterness, judgments, and even hate telling you your opinions are more valuable than someone’s life, cheering you on to tear down and destroy someone in the name of righteousness and fairness, you’ve let your awareness of God’s grace and truth get blocked out by the enemy’s mercilessness and lies.

Don’t let fear masquerade as wisdom, or vengeance as justice, or inhumanity as the greater good. Take a step back into love, into the fruit of God’s Spirit, where he can renew your mind to see others as he does, and your heart to love them regardless of what they think of you. Start with what Jesus wanted his friends to understand: no matter what the religious and political spirits are saying about your life, in God, there’s more than enough.

“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, refuse to speak destructive words and lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Pursue peace with all your heart'” (1 Peter 3:9-11).