"but the worries and cares of the world [the DISTRACTIONS of this age with its worldly pleasures], and the deceitfulness [and the false security or glamour] of wealth [or fame], and the passionate desires for all the other things creep in and choke out the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Mark 4:19 AMP
In society today there are so many things that can get us distracted. Social media, work, gossip, the latest trends, friends, family, and even our own thoughts. As Christians one of the tricks of the enemy is distraction. The enemy wants to distract us and get us off track when it comes to our Christian lives. In the passage above Jesus was explaining the parable about sowing. Let's back up. Parables are; "earthly stories with a heavenly meaning."- Minister L. Cheek. So, this parable is about sowing the Word of God into the proper ground (our hearts). In Mark 4:19 Jesus was explaining to His disciples that if we allow the worries and cares of this world to distract us, then the Word will not become fruitful in our lives.
The enemy wants us to turn away from God and to surrender to him. According to 1 Peter 5:8 AMP; "Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour." Satan will use different things in our lives to get us distracted from God. For example, when it came time for me to sit down and write this post it seemed like everything started to distract me. My phone, the tv, my powerpoint presentation for my job, bills, my next hair style, etc. It was like I was being sucked into a whirlwind of distraction and just that quick I lost focus. In that moment I had to pray, "Lord, please help me to get focused." And He did just that. My attention become fixed on Jesus, see Hebrews 12:2.
As disciples our focus must continuously be on Jesus. Colossians 3:1-2 AMP says; "Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]." In this life there will be times that we get distracted, however don't stay in the state of distraction. Keep your mind stayed on things above.
(Writing scriptures and/or affirmations on my mirrors help me not to get distracted and is a daily reminder of who I am in Christ)
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Distractions that are not put in check are a reflection of what is in a persons heart. Keeping our minds on God is a choices and the rewards are far greater than one can imagine. Good stuff Ni! Continue to let the Lord lead you.
ReplyDeleteNice words of wisdom. Distraction causes us to travel down wrongs paths that GOD has not laid out for us. I strive to stay focus and walk the path GOD intended
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteExcellent reflections and truths about the strategy of distractions. We all need to be reminded to stay on spiritual alert. Thank you for letting God continue to grow you and develop you for His purpose.
ReplyDeleteGlory to God, thank you for reading. 😊
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