Sometimes I wonder if we really understand how difficult it is to get to heaven.

In fact, sometimes when I read the Bible, I'm amazed that anybody does get to heaven.

When you stop and consider all the warnings that we were given in both Old and New

Testaments about the dangers that surround us, the unholy

Trinity that is always operating against us, the world, the flesh, the

devil, it just reminds us that we always have enemies around us,

we have enemies within us, we have enemies over us. And the scripture is filled with warnings

in light of these enemies. We see it in the Old Testament with the warnings about false

prophets. God's constantly warning his people not to be deceived by false prophets. There's a whole

chapter, Deuteronomy 13, before Moses leads the people into the land of promise.

He warns them about those who will come and will test them by doing things that make it look like they're legit,

but in reality, trying to lead people away from what God has already revealed.

And he said, they'll come to you with smooth words.

In the prophets themselves of the Old Testament, we hear these warnings as well. For example,

in Jeremiah 9.6, he says false teachers will heap oppression upon oppression and deceit upon deceit.

They will refuse to know the Lord.

2316, Jeremiah says, the Lord's speaking through him,

do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesied to you,

filling you with vain hopes.

They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord.

Jesus plainly words about such false teachers in the sermon on the Mount when he said they will come to you as wolves in sheep's clothing inwardly seeking to destroy you. Psalms and

proverbs are filled with calls to be on our guard, particularly against those who would come to us with

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