Overcoming

“Overcoming Distraction”

8/29/2010

 Luke 10:38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." NIV

 I.        Distractions in our day and age are stronger then they have ever been for the child of God. With the flow of all kinds of information and the dissemination of all kinds of entertainment one can not get away from those things that are vying for our attention.

A.     The constant thought of maintaining your earthly life can rob you of your eternal life. Matt 6:30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. NIV

1.      Our thought life is the great builder or destroyer and if not focused on the right stimuli it will lead us to a destructive end or an imperial end with God. Again, we have the choice.

a.       Focus is one of the key ingredients in our eternal walk. Seriously stop right now and examine what you are focusing on in life.

b.      Desire (something or someone hoped for) is another key ingredient in our eternal walk. Seriously stop right now and examine what you desire in life. James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. NIV This scripture should always be a reminder of proper desires.

May I submit that if your focus and desire is wrong you may be distracted from the most important things in life!

(Distraction: to draw (the attention or mind) to a different object  : DIVERT

2 : to stir up or confuse with conflicting emotions or motives.)

2.      Sometimes, before we can answer the question about what is drawing our focus and desire, we must really know what we consider the most important thing/s in life. If you haven’t settled the question of what is the most important thing in life then you will not be able to fight off distractions.

a.       Is God the most important person in your life?

b.      Do you believe or feel that you don’t necessarily need to acknowledge God’s daily input? You must believe you need God.

c.       What is your bottom line when it comes to right and wrong or peace and security? It must be righteousness and the security of the Spirit.

 May I submit that if God and His ways are not the center of your life you may be distracted from the most important things in life!

B.     Remember, distraction is the drawing of your mind and soul to a different object other than God.

1.      If you are indifferent towards God the enemy of your soul will find ways for you to be distracted and your attention diverted to things that really don’t matter.

a.       Diversions can be very subtle, they mask themselves as important, must do now, and can’t wait till later.

b.      Diversions can even look spiritually proper, but usually only are there to keep you from true growth and righteousness.

II.     How to overcome distractions.

A.     First, I think it is important that you demand something from yourself.

1.      We must learn to bless the Lord. Ps 103:3 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: KJV

Ps 104:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. KJV Bless means to kneel in adoration to God.

a.       Adoration does not give room for anything else except to concentrate on the object of that adoration.

b.      This does not come easy as our soul and body do not want to stop from their quest for those things that only satisfies them. The aren’t interested in eternity they are interested in “NOW”!

2.      We must learn to stop and take time for our marriage with God. Isa 61:10 I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. NIV

a.       Learn to delight in the Lord. (Great pleasure and satisfaction) Find ways to just meditate and listen to the Holy Spirit. Remember, conversation with someone can bring delight and peace.

b.      Learn to rejoice in God. Find ways to rejoice and be happy for your salvation and relationship with the Lord.

c.       Learn ways to put something into your marriage with God. You can’t expect God to be the only active one in your relationship with Him.

B.     Second, we must have the word of God as your daily guide, food, and compass.  Josh 1:8-8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. NIV

1.      Distractions lose their power when we have something more powerful than them to maintain our thoughts. It’s God’s word that does that.

2.      The word of God really does separate the thoughts and intentions of our soulish being and brings into focus what God wants and can do. Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV

a.       Learn to meditate (think of it throughout the day) on something you read in God’s word.Ps 77:12 I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds NIV

Prov 18:15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. NIV

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