In the days of Elisha, the sons of the prophets unknowingly added poisonous gourds into their pottage; likewise, there are presently many doctrines passed on through traditions that also contain harmful “gourds.” Harvested from past and present teachings and blended with scripture, many recipes have been created and served to those willing to eat their concoctions. The ones preparing the dishes do so hoping to solidify followings of the hungry who seek to fill themselves with things desirable to their taste and who are unaware there is death in the pot.

There have always been wild gourds in doctrinal stews, exemplified by the allegory of wild gourds that the sons of the prophets prepared when Elisha was present.

Elisha, responding to the cries of those who realized there was death in the pot, instructed them to bring a meal. After casting the meal into the pot, there was no more harm in it.

The meal cast into the pot represents the Word of God, the Bread of Life. God restores his people with his word. When the meal is put in the pot tainted by the poison gourds of false doctrines and heresies, the harm is removed.

Many people of faith today are akin to the sons of the prophets. They have inherited doctrines concocted by others, and they do not question them. Many traditional teachings contain harmful guards that believers are often not aware of, but there is healing in receiving the perfect word if we trust the Bible rather than private renderings of the scriptures passed on by traditions.

Established religious doctrines are inherited, not learned by the spirit. That is the difference between the true prophets and the sons of the prophets. One must be able to sort out the wild gourds.

Elisha was provided the opportunity to abide with the sons of the prophets in their place of contentment but continued following Elijah, who was a prophet. Like Elijah, Elisha desired more than being a son of a prophet. Elisha desired to receive more directly from God rather than reside with and eat the bread of his peers.

When trust is placed solely in the knowledge of others, the knowledge of God wanes, discernment is lost, and wild gourds are gathered and added to the doctrinal stew. Deadly heresies weave their way into doctrine, often without being perceived. Death is in the pot.

The sons of the prophets had not attained to the same spiritual status as their fathers. Elisha refused to abide with them when provided the opportunity.

Elisha continued to follow Elijah—who was a true prophet and more than just the son of a prophet—because he was determined to receive a double portion of the spirit that rested upon Elijah, which he achieved by transcending the social constructs of religious contentment.

While some believers press to go beyond the stagnation of religion, most choose to adapt to the comforts of conformity, living out a faith of traditions. As a result, they miss out on receiving a double portion of the spirit.

The world is experiencing a famine of God’s word. Many will not taste of the pottage tainted by “wild gourds.” They discern that something does not smell right.

Restoring the unadulterated word, the Bread of Life, provides the answer for the world. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life—the bread that came down from heaven.”