The Narrow Gate
Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. 14 But the gate is narrow (contracted [by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it. AMPC
Jesus is giving us the knowledge of how to have eternal life and how to avoid destruction. Many think that a prayer is going to get them to heaven, but that prayer alone isn’t going to cut it. Eternal life is a life we have to take, one we have to fight for.
Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a [share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. AMPC
Why is it a fight? Jesus told us that Satan is out to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10). Jesus said Satan, as soon as we heard the Word, would come and steal it (Mark 4:15). What is he trying to steal? What you said you believed, your faith, God, revelation knowledge of how to live in the Kingdom of God.. Therefore if we want to live in the Kingdom of God we will have to fight to keep our faith.
Jesus said the narrow path, the one that leads to eternal life has pressure on it. The pressure is Satan trying to get us off the path, Satan trying to steal our faith from us. When we press to live in the Kingdom of God Satan will take notice and he will work to steal God from us by plotting ways to get us to disregard God’s laws-God’s way of doing. Jesus warned us of how the enemy works against us to steal God from us, which is stealing our faith, our eternal life, and the good life we can live here and now (Mark 4:13-19).
The wide path has no pressure because Satan wills it. The wide path is the way most take because it is easy and many are on that path which makes it seem right. The wide path that leads to destruction is the path of deception but isn’t recognized as such because Satan doesn’t want to be known. He is good at making things that are wrong seem right. His intention is to deceive and control whoever he can without being known. Satan comes as an angel of light, trying to imitate God so he can be in control of your life.
2 Corinthians 11:14 And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light; AMPC
Satan uses opinions, theories, and reasonings that are contrary to the Word of God. Satan will always oppose the Word. God will always sound like and agree with His Word. Thus Satan's goal is to deceive you into thinking you are a believer, while he contaminates your thinking with lies, just like he did with Adam and Eve.
One quick way to know if you are on the wide path being deceived by the enemy is to ask yourself who’s opinion are you living by. If you live by an opinion other than the opinion of God you are walking the path that leads to destruction.
Get on the narrow path and make it your quest to know God and live by God’s opinion, by the Word of God. You can’t do anything without Him, so ask Him to help you through the pressure the enemy puts on when you get on that path. God will help you and you will find His peace, strength and His empowerment on that path. You will know you are living with purpose and that you will live for eternity with God.