Do you ever feel like doing the wrong thing is like rolling downhill? Like it’s an inevitability that is bound to happen as soon as any restraints are removed or even relaxed? Well, if so, it’s not just you- that’s pretty much how it is for all of us. Sure, it looks different for different people, but it’s pretty much always going to be easy to go the wrong way and resisting temptation will often be difficult. The problem is, it doesn’t matter how easily we can all find ourselves on the wrong path- there are real consequences.
The wide road appeals to our flesh. We always want to choose that one, but it leads to destruction. (excerpt from Receiving Revelation from the Foundation Stone pt.3, by Dr. Chester C. Pipkin)
That “wide road” is a reference to something that Jesus taught:
"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. "Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV)
That’s a pretty sobering thought, given how easily we can find ourselves entering through that wide gate, just because it was easier than resisting. It may help to remember:
The stakes are high. Destruction is not a trivial thing! And if we get off course and just shrug it off like it’s no big deal, we can be putting ourselves in a really bad position.
Following the crowd is a terrible idea! The logic that “all these people can’t be wrong” is a killer. And it’s not true.
We can do hard things. Resisting our impulses isn’t easy, but don’t forget: God has given us the ability to do it.
Every day we have chances to choose which “gate” to go through. Let’s choose the one that leads to life, no matter how much easier the alternative may seem.