False Prophets Leading Us Through Wide Gates

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”  Matthew 7: 12-15

The New Testament includes several phrases that have become a common part of our colloquial language. This verse provides the idea of a wolf in sheep's clothing. In previous verses, Jesus warned his followers they must enter the narrow gate and walk the hard road that leads to eternal life. Most people choose to enter the wide gate and walk the easy path that leads to destruction. Christ, himself, is the narrow gate and the only way to salvation. The life of sincere inner righteousness is harder than the shallow, performance-based hypocrisy modeled by many.

In these verses, Jesus tells His followers to beware of false prophets; those who claim to be literal "prophets," or leaders. It also applies to those who make false claims about their religious devotion. Such people often put on the appearance of innocence, empathy, or brotherhood when in truth, they are as deceptive and dangerous as hungry wolves wearing sheep skins to conceal their true intentions. Jewish people of Jesus' era would have grown up hearing stern warnings about listening to false prophets.

In these verses, Jesus is pointedly identifying those who oppose Him—those who point people toward the wide path of destruction—as false prophets hungry to devour an easily-led people. In Jesus’ time, these were the religious leaders of Israel who eventually accuse Jesus of deceit and blasphemy. He is warning his listeners ahead of time that those men are the false prophets; they "devour" in that they rely on the continued fear-driven submission of the Jewish people to maintain their own power and position.

Prayer: Our Father, help us to have the clarity of faith to recognize and resist the influence of false prophets who try to lead us through the wide gate of easy rewards and ultimate damnation. Let us see beyond the surface and into the evil intent of power-greedy leaders. Amen.

Carol McClain