Overcoming the Dangers of Distraction

For the word of God is alive 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. - Hebrews 4:12 

A former police officer tells of the tactics of roving bands of thieves: They enter the store as a group. One or two separate themselves from the group, and the others start a loud commotion in another section of the store. This grabs the attention of the clerks and customers.

As all eyes are turned to the disturbance, the accomplices fill their pockets with merchandise and cash, leaving before anyone suspects. Hours – sometimes even days – later, the victimized merchant realizes things are missing and calls the police. But it’s too late. The thieves by then are long gone!

The enemy often uses this very same strategy as he’s trying to keep us from dealing with sin. We’re distracted to the point that we stop paying attention to what’s really going on, and in the midst of it, Satan runs amok in our lives!

So how can you combat this elusive strategy by the deceiver? You do it by giving yourself frequent self-checks. You allow God’s Word to examine you and expose any unnoticed sin in your life. When you expose your life to the light of God’s Word, your unknown sins will be revealed as you overcome the enemy’s evil tactics and live in full victory!

Prayer Challenge:

Pray and ask God to show you areas in your life that don’t align with His will. Ask Him to let His truth restore those areas so you can live in victory!

Questions for Thought:

Think about areas in your life where the enemy has distracted you from dealing with sin struggles. What comes to mind?

How is God leading you to respond to those areas?