Death In the Pot

By Frank Williams

August 31, 2026

2 Kings 4:40-41 …as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof. 41 But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot… And there was no harm in the pot.

Elisha told his servant to “set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.”  The unwitting servant brought a whole lap-full of poisonous wild gourds and cut them up into the stew. It only had to be tasted by the discerning sons of the prophet to know that it was poison. Elisha quickly directed them to add good meal to the soup, and it was miraculously healed by God.

It reminds us that we have to be careful what ingredients we allow to be put into our hearts, our homes, and in our churches. Worldly people may get along for a while partaking of the wild gourds out there, but Christian people ought to know better. If we are feeding on and applying God’s Word in life situations, our spiritual senses stay sensitive. We can readily taste the poison in the soup.

Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

We are also reminded to be cautious of what we put into the soup of our teaching and preaching. Good Biblical meal can cure the poison of false doctrines and practices. We should follow Elisha’s example. After the poison was identified by the men crying out, Elisha added good food to the pot, and God killed the poison.

Reflection—When the leaven shows up, identify it, cry against it, and kill it with the Word of God.