The end of the Sermon on the Mount is the call for commitment. It is a call for routine obedience from the heart. The first picture given in Matthew 7:13 is entering through the narrow gate. (Again, I know a good universalist can explain away any verse that seems to qualify entering into Kingdom life, but when I see these things, I honestly think, “How do you get away from this one?”)

As Dallas Willard says in The Divine Conspiracy, “…there is a correct way to enter, and not just any approach” will succeed.

You have to be careful. There are those looking to deceive. They look good on the outside. They wear sheep’s clothing. It’s a ruse. They are wolves waiting to devour. We must be vigilant to train our hearts to hear the voice of the Master. Listen intently for the voice of the Master. Pay little attention to what the “false prophets” say.

A few months ago I got a call at the church from someone highly upset at some TV preacher. I honestly didn’t know who the guy was and had to look it up while this lady kept ranting about how bad he was. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked the caller why she was calling me. She wasn’t part of our church. I asked if she talked to her pastor about this. She did. But since this TV preacher seemed to be a part of my denomination (he wasn’t), she felt compelled to call the first church of my denomination she could (who would answer the phone) and rant away. It was now up to me to stop this false teacher.

Her honest question was, “How do these guys get away with this?”

I know her question was honest, but I really didn’t think she was ready for the answer. Since it was now on me to stop all false teachers on TV, I thought I should give it a try.

“Because people keep listening,” I said. “If the Body of Christ was more discerning and listened to the voice of the Shepherd these guys wouldn’t have a market.”

Hear the Shepherd. Pay little attention to the wolves dressed up like sheep. It takes work. It takes discernment. It takes true spiritual hunger.

But it’s worth it.