The word distract means
to draw or direct (something, such as someone’s attention) to a different object or in different directions at the same time. to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives
Distraction is one of the most powerful and easiest tools of the enemy. It is so effective that he can even train us to distract ourselves regularly. This keeps us in a continuous state of being out of sync and out of step with God.
By simple definition, a distraction can be something very simple and innocent. It doesn’t have to be that “evil devil woman or man” trying to lure you to their bedroom, it can be as simple as a butterfly flitting by. Anything that draws your attention away to something else has served its purpose, if it gets you off task.
The power in the words of Christ the night in Gethsemane were simple, Matthew 26:41 says,
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Think about it. He had personally called Peter out during the last supper, a few hours earlier, telling him he would deny Him before the sun rose. He then tells them all to watch and pray. You think He was trying to give them a hint that things were really about to go down and they need to be prepared.
Now, I am not calling sleep a distraction, because if you are exhausted then there is usually very little you can do not to succumb to it. But I believe that if Christ asked them to do it they weren’t that tired. He returned three times to find them asleep. Since He ask why they weren’t praying, it’s clear, they could have. They didn’t watch, they were distracted.
This wasn’t the only time Jesus talked about watching. The Bible is full of verses that command us to “watch”.
Matthew 7:15 says,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Matthew 24:4 says,
“Watch out that no one deceives you.”
Matthew 24:42 says,
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Mark 13:37 says,
“What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”
These are very important things to watch for but the easiest way to miss all of them is by being distracted.
Because distractions can be innocent in nature we don’t recognize the danger in them. If I can get you to look a way for just a moment, you could end a life, a purpose or impact the world. History is filled with countless stories of distracted people, making vital mistakes, that impacted so many.
God needs your undivided attention. He has asked you to watch, He commands that we pray without ceasing, He directs us in I Peter 5:8 to,
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Be alert and of sober mind, that is not the mind of someone distracted.
I pray that you become more aware of the things that are distracting you in your life. All of us have things, good or bad, that distract us. Remember, it is not the nature of the distraction we are discussing but rather the fact of being distracted in the first place. Most of you that love the Lord are aware of the obvious, sinful distractions.
Spend the next few days looking for the “innocent ones.” The things that keep you off point and off target. Look for the time wasters, the things that don’t build you up. Don’t make excuses because you’re addicted to it. If you lose track of time in it, it may be a distraction. The key is look for things that don’t feed your spirit. Philippians 4:8 is a perfect litmus test,
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Father,
Please open our eyes today to those things around us that distract us from being the people who you desire us to be. Help us to not only see the distractions but give us the power to resist them and reclaim a sober and focused mind.
In Jesus name
Amen