The Journey of Faith Part 4 - The Straight Path

Joshua Boyd

Growing up, how many of you had moms or dads that warned you not to go with the crowd or do what everyone else is doing just because everyone else is doing it?  I did. Peer pressure starts in early childhood as kids develop their sense of individuality.  It is easy to go with the crowd even when what they are doing is obviously wrong.  We’ve all observed a group of kids start to take a path of disruption and disorganization simply because a few started to.  

Unfortunately, we don’t just grow out of this behavior.  It has to be trained out and mature adults have to develop good judgment to make the right decision even when others are not.  

Matthew 7:13-14 KJV

13 Enter ye in at the strait [or narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

The words here in the original language describe the Kingdom path as a narrow, closely confined pathway—one that would require deliberate steps, careful navigation and decision making.  The word for narrow is also translated pressed.   

Where are we going with this?  Throughout scripture, the imagery of the straight path means being on the right path and the crooked path is wrong way.