Every human was created in God's own image and likeness. According to the scriptures in Psalm 82:6, we are referred to as 'gods'. However, we are flesh and are prone to certain things one of which is distraction. Distraction in itself is one of the many weapons the devil and his cohorts uses to divert the attention of believers in this time and age.
A perfect definition will describe distraction as the process of diverting the attention of an individual or group from area of focus and thereby blocking or diminishing the reception of desired information. The resultant effect of distraction is the abortion of positive results and many times, the devil only sets distraction in a man's way when he is sure that such man will accomplish a lot for God's kingdom.
The main aim of distraction is to "divert your attention or focus from
- God (The source of your being)
- Purpose
- Eternal Life
After diverting focus it then goes a bit further by diminishing the desired information. Which in turn brings about a change in information. Adam and Eve as a case study, there was a diversion of focus which brought about a change in information. (Genesis 3:6)
Every tree was always pleasant to the eye before good for food. But when distraction sets in it turned out to be good for food before pleasant to the eyes.
Distractions can get into the life of a man through diverse ways. Using Adam and Eve as a case study we would be seeing three basic things that brings about distraction in the life of a made man.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.(I Jn 2:16)
God gave man certain instructions at the beginning one of which is do not eat out of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. (Gen 2:16-17)
The devil having studied Eve came in from of a serpent to get her distracted, which in turn makes way for a change in information and then destruction. First, he started out with the lust of the flesh.
"...She saw that the tree was good for food"
She was beholding the tree. Her gaze didn't shift, an information was being passed... She saw that the tree would be Nutritive.
Secondly; Lust of the eyes. "Pleasant to the eyes"
When your eyes sees an object, a signal is being sent to your brain and an information is sent back to your eyes. The information here was "Pleasant"
Thirdly; Pride of Life.
"...A tree to make one wise" The woman is already distracted that she couldn't decipher a wrong information that was passed by the serpent.
Man lost focus through the things of the world according to (I John 2:16)
Literarily, distractions comes through the five senses which is categorised under the (Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life)
Practical ways to be free from distraction;
• Watch what you see. (Eve) Genesis 3:6
• Watch what you love. (Samson)
• Guide your heart, for out of it comes to the issues of life
And most importantly, God's word through Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 admonishes us to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
It
is popularly known that life is a journey - a race where everyone will
be rewarded based on how he/she takes the race. Paul the apostle said,“I
therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that
beateth the air..." (1 Corinthians 9:26). That is to say, I know my
purpose on earth and i'm focused on it. I aim to finish strong!
Join me as we take this study together.
BE FOCUSED!
We will be taking our study from Matt.2.1 – 2 (MSG):
“After
Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory--this was during
Herod's kingship -- a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the
East. They asked around,"Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn
King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled
his birth. We're on pilgrimage to worship him."
From
the bible passage above, it’s vivid that these scholars(wise men) had
been on a long distance journey from the east of Jerusalem, been led by a
star that appeared in the sky -- they followed the star patiently in
order to worship the new born king– but on getting to Jerusalem, they
got distracted (probably due to the population), took their eyes off the
star, and started seeking man’s help till they got to Herod (an example
of the devil), who only stole information from them and left them
without a solution, but, directed them to Bethlehem just to keep
searching. This would have cost them more than they expected: their
time, provisions, energy, lives, security and so on.
Although,
seeking man’s counsel and wisdom can be good, but, it is also necessary
for us to know that no man can not substitute God for the foolishness
of God is wiser than man (1 cor 1:25).
No way out.
DISTRACTIONS
Prov.3:5-6 (KJV);
“Trust
in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy
paths.”
Looking at the world today, many are
renouncing their faith in Christ, been distracted by one information or
the other, thousands of suicide cases are happening due to distractions
that has presented themselves like Goliaths, millions of inventions that
should have glorified God have been thrown into the waste bin, youths
are dying daily due to peer influence and peer pressure, and darkness
keeps covering the world because the sons of the light themselves have
lost focus on the purpose of their callings, being caught off by the
distractions of this world.
Note: Our
distractions might be different from each other based on the
circumstances we face, but, I can still define it as any thing that
keeps us from attaining our expected goals.
Longman dictionary defined distraction as something that stops you from paying attention to what you are doing.
Sometimes,
even as believers, we face temptations, we struggle with the sins from
our old life, and a times, we later give up thinking its not possible to
be free, but, i call these distractions, because, even the devil knows
that as long as you are in Christ, you are crucified with Him (that is,
dead to sin. Rom 6:6) and you are a new creature, old things are passed
away, and all things are become new! (2 Cor 5:17). But, due to our
ignorance of the word of God and presence of fears (Hosea 4:6), we
permit him (the devil) to steal our joy and glory in Christ just like he
did to Adam and Eve in Eden (Gen 3). So, what then is the way out?
Way out!
WAY OUT!
For us to be free from this distractions, we need to see how Jesus did it, for he is our perfect example!
Heb.12:1-2 (KJV):
“Wherefore,
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset
us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking
unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that
was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set
down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
I would want us to consider some few things from this scripture:
1. ENTANGLEMENTS
2. ENDURANCE
3. LET YOUR EYES BE FIXED
4. FAITH
5. NOT TAKING A STEP WITHOUT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
ENTANGLEMENTS (OR SIN)
One of the major weapons the devil uses to accuse and depress
believers is their secret sins (unforgiveness, immorality, lusts etc.).
You just have to cut them off in order to be focused. Paul said, he
brings his body under subjection, so as not to be disqualified ( 1 Cor
9:27).
Addictions, regardless of its stage, is a serial killer! You have to consciously (through Christ) cut it off.
ENDURANCE
Sometimes, when we watch movies, we just want to know the end, so,
we fast forward it, but, it’s not so in real life. In life, it’s just
like a journey, and each steps we take matters a lot. We may face
persecutions and challenges from the society, friends or maybe families,
probably because of your faith in Christ, you just have to endure!
--although it might not be easy-- don’t get distracted, because, the
reward is also worth it.
Paul said, the men of the world run for a corruptible crown but we, an incorruptible (1 Cor 9:25).
LET YOUR EYES BE FIXED
Jesus, knowing the joy and the glory that was awaiting him, he took
his eyes off the public shame and disgrace he was going through. The
bible says,“if your eyes be single, thy whole body shall be full of
light" (luke 11:34). So, the more you permit distractions, the more the
cost you will have to pay!
Bible study.
FAITH
To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be
certain of the things we cannot see (Heb 11:1 GNT). So, you just can’t
permit doubt. How can you achieve this? You have to make a conscious and
continuous building of your faith through bible study, prayers, and
reading of books from trusted teachers of faith so as to finish strong.
NOT TAKING A STEP WITHOUT PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
Prov 4:26 (GNT); “Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right.”
Most
of the times, when I want to get involved in a thing or i'm getting
tired of it, i get revived when I remember the reason why i'm doing it.
This helps me a lot, I believe it can also help you too!
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