The Narrow, Hard Way

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. – Matthew 7:13-15

Let’s pray that all American Christians will choose the path to life, which Jesus described as narrow and hard. And let’s pray that the shepherds of God’s flock will defend the sheep from false teachings to the contrary.

It is tempting for believers to cave to the sinful passions and desires of the flesh, and even more so as America's culture decays morally. All around us is sensuality, sexual deviancy, rebellion, greed, envy, hatred, filthy speech, and self-indulgence of every kind. Crude behavior once reserved for the shadows flaunts itself out in the open and on every media platform. Lawlessness is increasing and it’s a given that the love of many Christians will grow cold (Matthew 24:12).

Such ungodly conditions are fertile ground for false prophets. These truth twisters will present themselves as true Christians but will mislead the flock from the straight and narrow way to the anything-goes, wide way of destruction. All of us should be aware so that we are not led off course, but we especially need courageous and wise shepherds who will expose these deceivers and protect God’s sheep, ensuring that they don’t wander astray.

Father, thank You for warning us of the dangers we face in our lives. Give strength and endurance to every Christian in America to continue walking the hard, narrow way, even if everyone around us turns aside. Lord God, strengthen vocational Christian leaders in our nation to continue preaching Your word in season and out, not accommodating to the deteriorating society around us. Embolden our Christian leaders to oppose false teachers, defend Your truth, preserve the fold, and hold forth the word of life. In Jesus’ name we ask, amen.