Jesus warns in Matthew 7:13 that the gate leading to destruction is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction. This imagery conveys an important spiritual truth – the path of sin and unbelief is much easier and more tempting than the narrow path of faith and obedience. Let’s explore why this is the case.
1. Sin appeals to our natural desires
Human beings are born with a sinful nature that is drawn to selfishness, pride, lust, greed and other sins. Because of our fallen state, behaviors like lying, cheating, overindulging in pleasure, or living for self just come more naturally to us. They require less self-control and discipline. The “wide gate” represents how much easier it is to simply give in to sinful tendencies rather than resisting temptation and pursuing righteousness. Sinning often starts with thoughts and attitudes of the heart before manifesting in actions. And our hearts, being inclined towards sin, make it is easy to entertain sinful thoughts or adopt worldly attitudes. The path is “broad” because any number of sins or worldly pursuits can lead someone astray – whether it be lust, anger, jealousy, slander, idolatry, materialism, etc. Sin easily entangles because of how effortlessly it springs from our corrupt hearts (Hebrews 12:1).
2. Sinful pleasures are temporary and deceptive
Temptation lures us by promising contentment, happiness or fulfillment if we pursue a certain desire. But sin ultimately cannot satisfy. The pleasure is fleeting. What feels “wide” or liberating at first eventually narrows and constricts us, enslaving us in addiction or misery. James 1:15 describes this progression: “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” Sin may start out feeling exciting and “freeing” but it corrodes the soul and damages lives. The pleasures of sex outside marriage, drugs, drunkenness, or greed slowly erode a person’s life and relationships. While the path is broad at first, it narrows as the consequences and bondage of sin set in. The wide gate only feels wide but actually constricts a person over time. Only God’s ways bring true, lasting joy and peace.
3. The world promotes and celebrates sin
Another reason the path to destruction feels so wide is that the world’s entertainment, media, and culture promote and even glorify sinful behaviors and mindsets. Immorality, violence, crass language, and all kinds of sinful content is readily available through movies, video games, music and online media. Ungodly ideologies are promoted in universities and public schools as progressive thought. Pornography destroys marriages and objectifies people, yet is a booming business. The media celebrates celebrities and public figures who embody pride, lust and greed. Many corporate cultures and work environments reward dishonesty, backstabbing and cut-throat tactics. In these ways, the world helps pave a broad path directly to moral and spiritual ruin. Scripture warns us not to love the world or conform to its patterns (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15-17).
4. Many professing Christians are not truly born again
Tragically, not everyone who claims to be a Christian truly is. Some profess faith for superficial reasons like family tradition or to obtain social status. If someone’s commitment is insincere, they may continue living in known, unrepentant sin while still retaining a Christian label. Jesus warned about wolves in sheep’s clothing and trees that do not bear good fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). Simply having one’s name on a church roll does not mean someone passed through the narrow gate of true conversion. A “Christian” living indistinguishably from the world is likely on the broad path, regardless of outward profession. Only those who exhibit the fruit of the Spirit have passed through the narrow gate and are truly saved (Luke 6:43-45).
5. Not all teaching called “Christian” aligns with Scripture
One reason for the crowded, broad road is that there are false teachers who twist or water down the true gospel message. 2 Peter 2:1-2 warns of false prophets who secretly introduce heresies and lead many astray. They tell people what they want to hear to attract bigger followings. False teachers downplay sin and the consequences of sin, portraying God as endlessly lenient. They extol prosperity, self-esteem, and “following your heart” rather than dying to self. Claiming to be “Christian,” they actually turn the narrow way into a wide path by preaching a corrupted gospel or a path to heaven that requires no repentance. We must carefully compare any teaching to Scripture (Acts 17:11).
6. Many are deceived about their eternal destiny
Tragically, the broad road often includes people deceived into thinking they are heaven-bound when they actually are not. As Jesus declared: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). Judas Iscariot walked intimately with Jesus for three years, yet betrayed Him in the end. Clearly he never passed through the narrow gate, although outwardly he appeared to. In one of Christ’s most sobering statements, He warned, “many will come from east and west and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness” (Matthew 8:11-12). Those who grow up in the church yet remain unsaved are most susceptible to this dire deception. They think their religious deeds and heritage guarantee a place in heaven, when in fact they are still on the broad road leading to destruction.
7. Salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything
While God’s gift of salvation cannot be earned, becoming a wholehearted disciple of Jesus requires total commitment and willingness to crucify one’s sinful nature. When Jesus urged counting the cost (Luke 14:25-33), He was not suggesting we must pay for salvation. Rather, He meant following Him requires surrendering all our hopes, desires and possessions to His Lordship. The narrow road means leaving the old self-serving way of living behind. Many are unwilling to forsake cherished sins or selfish pursuits. They want the benefits of salvation without the sacrifice of true discipleship. But we cannot experience new life in Christ unless we die to sin and self. The narrow road leads to joyful freedom – but getting on it requires repentance and discipline.
8. Satan actively works to deceive people onto the broad road
Not only do people willfully choose the broad path, but Satan and his demons actively lure and deceive people onto it through lies, false promises and confusion. Jesus called Satan the father of lies (John 8:44). 1 Peter 5:8 warns that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. His demons can influence thoughts and insert deceitful ideas in the minds of those who are not guarded and alert. Via spiritual blindness, Satan keeps unbelievers from seeing and understanding the gospel. He imprisons people in false religions. The devil relies heavily on deception, using every strategy to trick people into pursuing the pleasures of sin and unbelief. We must stay vigilant against his schemes, putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
9. People love darkness rather than light
Ultimately, it comes down to human rebellion against God. Jesus said men are condemned because they loved darkness rather than light (John 3:19-20). They suppress God’s truth through unrighteousness. People know instinctively there is a Creator, yet they choose to worship idols instead. They cling to sin even when shown a better way. The broad road caters to human depravity and man’s preference for darkness. Scripture declares the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). Our wicked hearts steer us onto the path of destruction unless God intervenes with convicting grace. He awakens our deadened conscience to seek after righteousness and truth. But those who continually harden themselves to God’s promptings continue down the broad road. They show contempt for both His kindness and His impending judgment (Romans 2:4-5).
10. Wisdom calls out – but fools spurn and scorn her
In Proverbs 1, wisdom is personified as a woman crying out, appealing to all who will listen to choose the right path. But fools hate wisdom and spurn her rebukes (Proverbs 1:22). They are complacent in their ways and detest correction. So while the call of wisdom leads to life, fools who reject her call remain stubbornly on the broad path of destruction. We must have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying. If we take ownership of our sin and submit to God’s discipline, we will be directed onto the narrow road. But as long as we hide from truth and accountability, we will stroll obliviously closer to death. Wisdom brings us to the cross – the narrow gate – where we find forgiveness and new life in Christ. But only the humble will heed wisdom’s call and pass through the narrow gate.
Concluding Thoughts
The imagery of the wide, easy path that leads to destruction powerfully captures why it seems most people follow the road that leads away from God. Human nature prefers sin’s pleasures to God’s holiness. Worldly entertainment and culture promote ungodly values and behaviors. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian has been truly converted. False gospels distort the truth. Many professing believers are deceived about their eternal state. And Satan actively blinds people to the gospel, exacerbating the effects of human depravity and rebellion. But while destruction awaits those on the broad road, we can have everlasting life and joy through the narrow gate of Christ. His burden is light – not because being His disciple is easy, but because by abiding in Him, He enables us to walk in His ways and reflect His righteousness. Our good Shepherd lovingly leads His sheep along the narrow path of life.