Browse Bible Study Resources

Daily Devotions

Matthew

Matthew 
Day 
Day 99

Choosing Between Two Paths

Text: Matthew 7: 12 - 29

Jesus gave no illusions that it would be easy to be His disciples and to walk in His path. Thus He spoke these words to His disciples.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the
gate and broad is the way that leads to
destruction, and there are many who go in by it.”
Matthew 7:13

One may think of life as having two paths! The two paths in no way resemble each other. They are in fact in direct opposition to each other. Which path should one choose!

THE EASIER PATH

How does one decide which path to take? Many tend to choose the path that has the least difficulties! This was what Jesus meant when He described this path as one that had a wide gate and a broad path.

This path may indeed be easier to walk on. However, the more important question is where the path ends up! What is the final destination? Jesus gave a firm word of warning here. The end of the road was “destruction” or “perdition”! He minced no words here! The danger was too great to mince words! Was this path worth taking after all if at the end of life’s day, one’s soul is lost?

THE NARROW GATE

The teachings of Jesus may sound difficult, and they were indeed hard to understand and to apply in life. He had this word to add.

“Because narrow is the gate and difficult
is the way which leads to life, and there
are few who find it.”
Matthew 7:14

Jesus never promised that following Him would be walking on a flower-strewn pathway! Far from it! The entrance into the path was “a narrow gate”. That would already be indicative of the pathway that true disciples of His must walk on.

He emphasized to His hearers that choosing to walk in His way was going to be difficult! Sadly, only a few would have the wisdom and the courage to choose to walk with Him.

Would it be worthwhile to choose this difficult and narrow path? Yes, if we were to look at the end of the road! This narrow and difficult road leads to LIFE! Surely that would be incentive enough to choose to walk through the narrow gate!

The disciple may take heart that he does not walk alone when he chooses this path! The Master Himself will be there walking beside him. He will find good companions along the way, all stout-hearted and discerning, though they may be few in number.

THE DANGER OF FALSE TEACHINGS

From the earliest times, false teachings existed. Who were these people? Jesus identified them in this manner.

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you
in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are
ravenous wolves. You will know them by
their fruits…”
Matthew 7:15-16

We are reminded of how Jeremiah had to battle these false prophets in his time. This was one of the messages that he received from the Lord concerning the false prophets.

“Do not listen to the words of the prophets
who prophesy to you.
They make you worthless;
They speak a vision of their own heart,
Not from the mouth of the Lord.

I have not sent these prophets yet they ran,
I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.”
Jeremiah 23:16, 21

These “messengers” posed as servants of God! They dared to tell people that they were “prophets” – no less!

To those who did not know better, those were powerful claims that merited attention! What if they were indeed prophets of God and one were to neglect hearing them?

Jesus understood the plight of the simple-hearted! He had to warn them of the danger that false prophets would pose to them!

BY THEIR FRUITS…

How would false prophets be discerned for what they really are? There are many tests that could be applied. One could examine their doctrines. But that would mean that a deep knowledge of the Scriptures has to be in the possession of the believer first! Was there another way to tell who was a true or a false prophet?

Jesus offered an acid test that could be effectively applied to all who claim to be prophets of God! Their “fruits” would reveal their true identity! They may appear to be “sheep” but they were anything but sheep. They were in fact nothing less than “ravenous wolves”.

The warning bell had been rung. The hearers must take heed! The responsibility of safe-guarding oneself is a responsibility that cannot be ignored! The onus of checking things out is placed on the individual, and not God! A solemn challenge indeed!