Bold as a Lion, Gentle as a Lamb

Scripture teaches us that the way to eternal life is narrow, and the path to destruction is broad (Matthew 7:13-14). But it is also true that once the Christian is set on the path of eternal life, all of life is a battle for the Christian to stay on the straight path, never veering to the left or the right.

Every doctrine, every attitude, and every theological truth is a narrow path on which we must walk without succumbing to the ditch on either side. Think of it this way: there is one narrow path on which truth lies perfectly consistent and untainted and two broad ways on either side, leading to doctrinal destruction.

In an age where overactions rule the day, it is easy for believers to find themselves trudging into the ditch to the left or the right.

The world around us cares nothing about truth. In the West, nearly everything is politicized and manipulated for money or power and, as society declines, many see the desperate need to stand for truth. Christians are these people. The Christian is one who is found by the truth, saved by the truth, kept by the truth, and lives by the truth. But in a world of increasing cynicism, violence, and hard-heartedness, there is a great danger for the Christian walking on the path of truth.

On the left side of the path of truth lies the temptation to remain silent, become soft, or excuse sin by some notion of compassion, all of which ultimately leads to further compromise and, worst case scenario, making shipwreck one's faith. The Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy to flee from anything sinful and to pursue righteous living and a life consistent with the faith (1 Tim 6:11).

Sadly, the left ditch is the ditch that tends to minimize the sins of the world, either to appear more friendly or to avoid some form of persecution, but ultimately, it is a form of turning from God and to the world. In a real sense, it is a denial of Christ, no different than Peter’s own denial. Regardless of whether it is some third-wayism, a slight accommodation of sins deemed to be minor, the entertainment of twisted doctrines such as feminism, or the outright redefining of certain sins, the left path of liberalism in the Christian life is a deadly one, like a reef awaiting to sink an unaware vessel on the sea. The Christian must stay on the narrow path of truth and stand firm against any doctrine or philosophy that is at odds with the teachings of Christ.

On the right side of the path of truth lies a different danger. While the dangers of the left ditch may tempt some professing Christians, and undoubtedly many have fallen prey to it, many others are in danger of the right ditch of contentiousness, callousness, and hardheartedness. The right ditch is the temptation of those who indeed love the truth and are fixated upon it. They are tired of the lies and liberalism and its destructive powers and seek to respond boldly but do so in a way also contrary to the character and nature of Christ. There is a ditch on both sides.

In this right-hand ditch lies the temptation to fight back so aggressively that the heart hardens against its opponents, no longer wishing for their salvation but hoping for their destruction. Of course, few would dare say this was the desire, but the actions betray the profession, and the right ditch makes monsters of men, haters of those who once loved, brawlers of the innocent, and tyrants of those who once hated tyranny.

It was our Lord who said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44) and “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” (Matthew 5:46).

While the ditch to the left of the path of truth tempts one to lighten the truth, the ditch to the right tempts one to tighten the truth. One side is lawlessness, and the other is legalism and harshness. The right ditch has forgotten Paul's words to the Galatians, which is that brothers caught in transgressions should seek their restoration in gentleness (Galatians 6:1).

This ditch causes a hardness of heart like a blade quenched in oil and is in danger of the lasting effects of the same. Instead of proclaiming the truth so that the captives might be set free, this ditch causes one to proclaim the truth as a bludgeoning weapon rather than an instrument of illumination. Those who fall into the right ditch often become the self-proclaimed arbiters of truth, defenders of their own ideas and versions of truth, even straying themselves, typically towards legalism or moralism, and should they remain in biblical truth, they lose the focus and purpose of truth to bring glory to God and salvation to men. It becomes nothing more than a tool in their arsenal for the victory they pursue.
Both the left and the right rob the man of true faith. Both become like a parasite slowly draining the life from its host, but the narrow path is altogether righteous. The narrow path is the path that beckons Christians to orient their life to Christ. They are bold as lions, standing on God’s Word, never flinching, never relenting, never compromising, never apologizing for what the Bible says. They are warriors, wearing the full armor of God, knowing that the battle is NOT against flesh and blood, but against the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6). And though they are bold as lions, they are also gentle as lambs living in light of Colossians 3:12, which says, “So, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

They consider Ephesians 4:29 which teaches that we are to speak only those words which are good for building up, giving grace to those who hear. Those who walk in the narrow path live with righteous indignation towards sin and the wicked while guarding against ungodly hatred, which is the sin of murder. The narrow path teaches a deep hatred of sin and a deep desire to see the sinner come to the saving knowledge of Christ.

The Christian is called to the narrow path, and while on that path, they are called to the center, resisting the temptation to drift to the left or the right. They have an aid that continually guides their path straight down the middle, which is the Holy Spirit working through His Word and the church. Christian, do not let the world tempt you to either side, know your proclivities and guard your heart against the ditch that would seek to cripple your walk and your witness.  Remember that your calling is to do whatever you do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), being both as bold as the lion and as gentle as the lamb.