What does the Bible say about distractions?
Distraction from God is extremely dangerous. As believers we believe that God is the captain of our ship. When you start losing sight of your captain, you start trying to steer your own ship. Not only does this lead to going the wrong way, but it can lead you in the direction of trials, sin, missed opportunities, and missed blessings.
When you lose sight of your captain you start to fear and worry. You start to think I’m in this by myself.
Your captain promised to guide you and help you but instead of focusing on Him you started focusing on the huge waves and the other sailors around you.
As technology advances being distracted from God is becoming easier and easier. Distraction from God could be because of sin, but that’s not always the reason.
The main reason is life and getting caught up in the world. Reasons for distractions include ourselves, money, hobbies, relationships, cell phones, TV, and more.
Sometimes we’re consumed with our technology all day and we only acknowledge God right before we go to sleep with a quick 20 second prayer and this should not be.
The quick prayer we did was a selfish one at that and we didn’t even take the time to say thanks and give Him praise. In life we’re supposed to do God’s will not our will.
When we allow other things to consume our lives we drift away from God. Fix your eyes back on the captain. You know where to find Him. Satan always tries his best to distract us and when we get serious about having fellowship with the Lord he will try to distract you even more.
Don’t be afraid. God says, “draw near to me and I will draw near to you.” Keep praying. Many times people pray, but then get distracted and think it’s not going to work. Stay focused on the captain.
Spend time with your Lord like you would with your child or parent. Know that He is with you on the journey. He’s guiding you to the right place. If you persevere in prayer, at the right time He will answer. Have faith!
Christian quotes about distractions
“The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper path. The more you know Him and commune with Him, the more the Spirit will make you like Him. The more you are like Him, the better you will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that is the only way to know real satisfaction.” John MacArthur
“God did not create you to live a distracted life. God created you to live a Jesus-infused life.”
“Don’t let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of the Lord.”
“If the enemy can’t destroy you he will distract you.”
“If the enemy can distract you from your time alone with God, then he can isolate you from the help that comes from God alone.”
“If Satan cannot have your heart, he’ll do his best to distract you.”
“When the enemy sends distractions, they never look like distractions until they are finished distracting you.”
Let’s learn what Scriptures teaches us about overcoming distractions
1. 1 Corinthians 7:35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
2. Mark 4:19 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.
3. Luke 8:7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants.
4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.
Being distracted from God by the world
5. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
6. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
We must stay focused on Christ.
7. Hebrews 12:2 fixing our attention on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of the faith, who, in view of the joy set before him, endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
8. Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
9. Proverbs 4:25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
10. Isaiah 45:22 Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other.
The dangers of taking your eyes off of Christ.
Peter got distracted by everything around him.
11. Matthew 14:28-31 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come on!” So Peter got down out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, save me!” At once Jesus reached out his hand, caught him, and asked him, “You who have so little faith, why did you doubt?”
Examples of distractions in the Bible
We should follow the example of Mary instead of Martha.
12. Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Satan seeks to distract us in any way possible.
13. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
14. James 4:7 So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Sometimes we must stop everything and go to a quiet place to hear God.
15. Mark 6:31 Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.
We must prioritize our time. There must be a time for prayer daily.
16. Ephesians 5:15-16 So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil.
17. Mark 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Being distracted by the worries of life.
18. Matthew 6:19-21 “Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
19. Matthew 6:31-33 “So don’t ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well.
We can even get distracted by doing things for God
It’s so easy to do Christian things while forgetting God Himself. Are you getting distracted by doing things for the Lord, that you lost some of your zeal for the Lord? Doing things for Him and getting distracted by Christian projects can cause us to stop spending time with God in prayer.
20. Revelation 2:3-4 You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary. But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first.
Focus on the Lord by meditating on Scripture.
21. Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
We must never let others distract us from the Lord.
22. Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Reminders
23. Ephesians 6:11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
24. Proverbs 3:6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.
25. 1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Thanks Lord Jesus that when I felt sadness and helpless, I read this message. The message and the Bible verses strengthened my spiritual heart, encouraging me to focus on God and I started to pray for the troublesome situations.
Thanks for the message sharing.