Choosing the Narrow Path: A Journey of Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Narrow and Wide Gates—Choosing the Path That Leads to Life

Life presents us with countless choices every day, many of which we make without much thought. Yet, Jesus teaches that there are ultimately two roads: one is wide and easy, traveled by many, but it leads to destruction; the other is narrow and sometimes hard to find, but it leads to life. The narrow path may not be popular or obvious, but it is the way that God calls us to walk. It requires intentionality, awareness, and a willingness to go against the flow, trusting that God’s way, though less traveled, is the one that leads to true fulfillment and home. [01:49]

Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are tempted to take the “easy road” instead of the path you sense God calling you to? What would it look like to choose the narrow way today?

Day 2: Recognizing Good and Bad Fruit—Discerning True Guidance

Not everyone or everything that appears good is truly from God. Jesus warns that false prophets and influences can look harmless on the outside but are dangerous within. The way to discern what is true is by examining the fruit—what is produced in a person’s life or teaching. Just as you wouldn’t expect to find grapes on thorn bushes, you can recognize what is genuine by the evidence of goodness, love, and faithfulness. God’s word gives us the wisdom to inspect the fruit around us and to be cautious about what we allow to influence our journey. [17:04]

Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

Reflection: Who or what is influencing your decisions right now? How can you “inspect the fruit” of those influences to ensure they are leading you closer to God?

Day 3: Taste and See—Experiencing God’s Goodness for Yourself

God invites us not just to hear about His goodness but to experience it firsthand. Like fruit that is real and nourishing, God’s presence and promises are meant to be tasted and enjoyed, not just admired from a distance. Sometimes we are drawn to things that look appealing but are empty or even harmful, like plastic fruit or the wrong kind of berries. But when we “taste and see” the Lord’s goodness, we find true satisfaction and refuge. God’s path may not always seem as immediately rewarding as the world’s, but it is where abundant life is found. [20:17]

Psalm 34:8 (ESV)
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”

Reflection: When was the last time you truly experienced God’s goodness? What is one way you can intentionally “taste and see” His goodness today?

Day 4: Obedience and Trust—Following God’s Map Even When It’s Hard

Obedience to God’s direction is not always easy, especially when our desires pull us in another direction. Sometimes we stubbornly pursue our own plans, only to find ourselves lost or missing out on the blessings God intended. God’s word is a trustworthy map, and He gives us warning signs and guidance along the way. When we choose to trust and obey—even when it means letting go of our own way—we discover the unique adventures and abundant life that God has prepared for us. [25:06]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Reflection: Is there a step of obedience God is asking you to take that you’ve been resisting? What would it look like to trust Him with that step today?

Day 5: The Power of Choices—Becoming Who God Created You to Be

Every day, we are given the gift of free will and the responsibility to choose our path. The choices we make shape our character and our destiny. The road less traveled—the one that follows Jesus—may be more challenging, but it is the path that leads us home and transforms us into the people God designed us to be. Even when the world pulls us toward comfort or conformity, God calls us to choose the way that leads to life, empathy, and true fulfillment. [34:08]

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV)
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Reflection: What is one significant choice you are facing right now? How can you invite God into that decision so that it shapes you into the person He wants you to become?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of choices—some small and routine, others that shape the very direction of our lives. Jesus, in Matthew 7:13-20, calls us to enter through the narrow gate, warning that the broad road is easy to find and well-traveled, but it leads to destruction. The narrow road, though harder to find and less popular, leads to life. This path isn’t always obvious; it often requires intentional searching, discernment, and a willingness to go where others may not. Just as hidden springs or out-of-the-way adventures can yield unexpected beauty and blessing, so too does following God’s unique path for us.

Our daily decisions, though many are made without much thought, accumulate to form the direction of our lives. The world offers many enticing options, but not all are good for us. God’s Word is our map, providing both direction and warning signs. Along the way, we are called to be discerning—watching for “fruit” in ourselves and others. Good fruit is evidence of a life rooted in Christ, while bad fruit or counterfeit appearances warn us to be cautious. Like the difference between real and plastic fruit, or edible and poisonous berries, not everything that looks good is truly nourishing.

Obedience to God’s direction is not always easy. Sometimes, our own desires or stubbornness lead us off course, causing us to miss out on the blessings God has prepared. Yet, Jesus has already walked the narrow path before us, clearing the way and promising to be with us through every twist and turn. The narrow road may not be the most popular or comfortable, but it is the one that leads to true life, character, and the fulfillment of God’s purpose for us.

We each have the freedom to choose our path. The invitation is to taste and see that the Lord is good, to trust His guidance, and to let the journey with Him shape who we become. The road less traveled, though challenging, is the one that makes all the difference.

Key Takeaways

1. The Narrow Path Requires Intentionality Choosing the narrow path is rarely accidental. It demands a conscious decision to seek out God’s way, even when it is hidden or unpopular. This intentional pursuit often leads to unexpected blessings and deeper experiences of God’s presence, much like discovering a hidden spring or a special place off the beaten path. [07:58]
2. Discernment is Essential for Spiritual Safety Not every opportunity or teaching that presents itself is from God. Jesus warns us to watch for “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and to recognize people by their fruit. True spiritual discernment involves examining the outcomes and character of those we follow, ensuring that what appears good is genuinely rooted in Christ. [17:04]
3. Obedience Opens the Door to Abundant Life There are times when obedience to God’s direction feels restrictive or counterintuitive, especially when our desires pull us elsewhere. Yet, it is through obedience—choosing God’s way over our own—that we discover the fullness and abundance of life He promises. The narrow road may seem limiting, but it leads to the richest rewards. [25:06]
4. God’s Word is a Trustworthy Map While human maps and plans can fail us, God’s Word provides reliable guidance for the journey. It not only points out the right path but also warns us of dangers and detours. By staying attentive to Scripture and the Spirit’s leading, we can navigate life’s complexities with confidence and hope. [16:07]
5. The Path We Choose Shapes Who We Become Every decision, big or small, contributes to the person we are becoming. The road less traveled is not just about where we end up, but about the transformation that happens along the way. Following Christ’s path forms our character, deepens our empathy, and prepares us for the home He has prepared for us. [34:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:44] - Scripture Reading and Introduction
[01:49] - The Two Roads: Wide and Narrow
[03:07] - Robert Frost’s Poem and Life Choices
[06:42] - Hidden Paths and Unexpected Blessings
[07:58] - Off the Beaten Path: Stories of Adventure
[09:34] - The Value of Unique Experiences
[15:24] - Getting Lost: The Need for a Good Map
[16:07] - God’s Word as Our Guide
[17:04] - Discernment and Warning Signs
[18:29] - Recognizing Good and Bad Fruit
[20:17] - The Danger of Counterfeit Fruit
[24:04] - Obedience and Its Challenges
[25:06] - The Abundant Life on the Narrow Road
[34:08] - The Path Shapes Our Character
[35:22] - Reflection and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 7:13-20 (ESV) — “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. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 7:13-14, what are the differences between the wide gate and the narrow gate? Who finds each one?
What does Jesus say is the way to recognize false prophets? What kind of “fruit” is he talking about?
In the sermon, what are some examples given of things that look good on the outside but aren’t actually good for us? ([20:17])
What does the pastor say about how most of our daily decisions are made? How does this relate to the path we end up on? ([03:07])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus describes the narrow road as “hard to find” and “less traveled”? What does this say about following Him? ([07:58])
The sermon talks about “fruit” as evidence of a life rooted in Christ. What might “good fruit” look like in a person’s life? What about “bad fruit”? ([18:29])
The pastor shares stories about hidden springs and off-the-beaten-path adventures. How do these stories help us understand what it means to intentionally seek God’s path? ([06:42])
Why is discernment important when choosing which voices or teachings to follow? How can we tell if something is truly from God or just looks good on the outside? ([17:04])

Application Questions

The sermon says that choosing the narrow path is rarely accidental and requires intentionality. What is one area of your life where you need to be more intentional about following God’s way, even if it’s unpopular or hard to find? ([07:58])
Think about a recent decision you made without much thought. Looking back, do you think it moved you closer to the narrow path or the wide one? How can you bring more discernment into your daily choices? ([03:07])
The pastor talked about “fruit baskets” with fake fruit and the danger of things that look good but aren’t nourishing. Is there something in your life right now that looks good on the outside but isn’t truly helping you grow in Christ? What would it look like to let go of it? ([20:17])
Have you ever felt God nudging you to obey in a way that felt restrictive or counterintuitive? What happened when you did (or didn’t) follow that nudge? ([24:04])
The sermon mentions that God’s Word is a trustworthy map. What is one practical way you can use Scripture this week to help guide a decision or direction in your life? ([16:07])
The pastor shared about missing out on blessings by insisting on her own way (like wanting to be a soloist instead of following God’s path). Is there a dream or plan you’re holding onto that might be keeping you from the “adventure” God has for you? ([26:22])
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.” What is one step you can take this week to “taste” God’s goodness—maybe by trusting Him in a new area, or by stepping out in obedience? ([18:29])

Sermon Clips

God's word gives us a map. And it also gives us some ways to protect ourselves. And I love the next section of scripture. Now he also had someone calling him. We can hear the Lord calling us in his direction. He gives us signs and things along the way that says, hey, watch where you're going. Watch where you're going. [00:16:53] (21 seconds) #GodsMapAndSigns

Obedience is sometimes hard. And when we look at that and we say, well, why is it I have to go on a small, narrow road instead of the bigger road? This is the way I want to go. And we decide to push our own desires. And when we do that, we miss out on the beautiful fruit, the beautiful attractions that are along the road that God has for us. [00:24:55] (22 seconds) #GodsLifeMap

Sometimes we think, I feel like I'm missing something. So many people who say when they have come to the Lord, they're like, it's like things got completed. I finally found the things that I was looking for. God's word says he will give us life abundantly. And that is where you find the abundant life. That is where you find those things that you wouldn't find anywhere else when you're following the path that God has led for you. [00:25:17] (25 seconds) #ObedienceOnNarrowRoad

But when we walk the path that Jesus has planned for us, Jesus has a plan. He's walked that path before. That narrow path, he walked it himself. He's made sure that it's safe. He knows what's along it. And he said, come along. This is the way. I've already gotten all the snakes away. I've gotten all the bad stuff out of the way for you. You just came up. It's not going to be an easy hike. There are still some ups and downs. There are still some times that you're going to trip over something that might be in the way because you're not looking. But this way, this way I know what's along. And there's going to be people along that path to help you. [00:27:20] (42 seconds) #AbundantLifePath

The wide road seems more traveled. And it seems like it's more fun because that's where everybody is. Now, how many of you always said when you were going up? Mom, dad, everybody has it, right? Everybody's doing it. Everybody. Everybody. My mom would say, okay, name everybody. Well, then I would try to name a few people, and she goes, okay, well, what about so-and-so? And she'd name some people that weren't on my list, and I'd be like, rolling my eyes. Everybody. Everybody's doing that. Everybody's going that way. And we would think that that's the way that we are called to go. But we follow what the Lord says for us. [00:28:12] (42 seconds) #JesusWalkedFirst

He gives us free will and we get to choose our heart we get to choose what steps and struggles we're going through when we go through the lord we know he's going to be right there beside us every single way every path has its challenges at the end of the poem by robert frost he says this he says i took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference you know it makes us the path that we follow the way that we go it makes a difference and makes us who we are. [00:33:12] (38 seconds) #TasteAndSeeTruth

This morning, as we take a minute before communion, I want you to think about the roads that you're on right now. Are you on the path that God has called you to be? Or have you kind of taken a detour? And if that is so, remind yourself. Taste and see that the Lord is good. He has proven himself time after time and he is ready for that from you. He wants that to be a part of you. [00:34:40] (30 seconds) #FreeWillChoice

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What distinguishes the narrow gate from the broad road?

How can believers recognize false prophets by their fruit?

What does the poem reveal about choosing the less traveled path?