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The gate in this Scripture verse in the book of Matthew talks about an analogy of our lives with our choices.
Many of these choices that lead to destruction are ones of pleasure, pride, and strife, to name a few. This
broad, open gate leads to a path that bleeds with our desires or motives, which can be the opposite of the
will of God if we do not surrender them to Him for His direction. As God gives us the grace to live each day,
we should strive to locate and abide in the narrow gate, and much of that day-to-day living as we walk

through the narrow gate involves a denial of self. As Christians, we have often heard this Bible verse that we
die daily for His glory. "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily" 1
Corinthians 15:30 NKJV. Dying sounds grim and painful. There's nothing audibly satisfying to humanity
involving the word death. It is also the inevitable fate of our lives and what we need to do to grow closer to
Christ.

A pathway of destruction can also deal with how we defend ourselves. Many of us can identify with the desire
to protect ourselves against an offense. In my later years, I have become more hardened with a lessened
tolerance of what I feel is offensive. Being naturally reserved or introverted has made my interactions in life
challenging because I have learned that many people mistake quiet or kindness for weakness. Do I remain
silent and allow people to offend, or do I respond? I began to respond in a way that was personally pleasing
and satisfying. But with our faithful and ever-present Father, He revealed the status of my heart and my
countenance, and God showed me that I needed to correct my negative heart posture. As I learn to shift and

adjust to a way God is pleased with, He provides the tools I need to deal with offense. My takeaway in life's
lessons is to respond to offense with wisdom and humility, as God has informed us in Matthew 5:5 that the
meek shall inherit the earth and "A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted"
Proverbs 12:16 NIV. Whoa, the Word of God is truly structured for our everyday living. God Almighty provided
our every need through the Word of God, and because of His faithfulness, I can continue to blossom and
mature for His Glory.

Another pathway to the wide, inviting gate is the vast array of life's different pleasures. There are endless
avenues of pleasure, great or small. As we grow older, we become more refined and particular in knowing our

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