Distractions: The Devil’s Secret Weapon

Alright, let’s get real for a second. We live in a world full of distractions. Everywhere we look, something is trying to pull our attention away from what matters most. A notification pops up on your phone, your mind starts drifting during prayer, and before you know it, you’re watching dachshund videos on YouTube instead of reading your Bible. Yep, been there, done that, got the spiritual ADHD t-shirt!

But let me tell you something: distractions are one of the devil's greatest tools. The enemy doesn’t need to knock you out with a full-on temptation or a huge trial. Sometimes, all he needs is a little distraction to take you off course. And trust me, when we get distracted, we slow down our spiritual growth and miss out on the fulfillment God has for us in Christ.

So today, let’s talk about distractions, how they affect our walk with Christ, and how discipline—yes, discipline—is key to growing spiritually and living a successful life in God.

Distractions: The Devil’s Sneaky Little Sidekick

Let’s start with the basics. The devil doesn’t have to drag us into sin to defeat us. Nope. Sometimes, all he has to do is get us so busy with unimportant things that we forget the important things.

Think about it: It’s not always about a major crisis that causes us to lose our focus; it’s the constant, nagging distractions. They come in all shapes and sizes—your social media feed, that latest Netflix series, or even just the endless list of “stuff” we need to get done. Ever find yourself scrolling through Instagram and then realizing an hour has passed?

Yeah, those distractions. The devil loves that! He’s like, “Oh, you’re gonna check your email for the hundredth time today? Great! That’s one more minute you’re not spending with God!”

The devil knows that if he can’t destroy you, he’ll distract you. And when we’re distracted, we’re not growing, we’re not progressing in our relationship with Christ, and we’re definitely not experiencing the fulfillment God has planned for us.

Distractions Slow Down Spiritual Growth

Now, let’s talk about how distractions slow down our spiritual growth. It’s like trying to walk forward while constantly looking over your shoulder. Ever try to walk and text at the same time? You trip, you stumble, and at best, you just look ridiculous. But in life, it’s way worse than just looking silly—it’s missing the mark, missing the opportunities God’s placing right in front of us.

In Hebrews 12:1, the Bible says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” 

Notice that it says “everything that hinders”—not just sin, but anything that keeps us from focusing on God. That includes distractions. So, when we let ourselves get caught up in the noise of life, we’re slowing down our race. And let me tell you, God’s got some amazing things ahead for us, but we can’t get there if we’re too busy watching reruns of "The Office" instead of tuning into what He’s saying.

Discipline: The Secret to Spiritual Growth

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But distractions feel so good! I mean, I’m just relaxing! God understands, right?” Sure, God gets it. He knows we need rest, He knows we need to unwind. But when the distractions become the main thing in our lives—when they start to take over and push God to the side—that’s when we’re in trouble.

Here’s where discipline comes in. Yes, I said it: discipline. That word that makes us want to groan. But listen, discipline is not a dirty word; it’s actually the key to becoming the person God created us to be. Discipline is the act of saying, “You know what? I’m going to make room for God. I’m going to put aside some distractions and focus on what matters.”

You see, discipline makes us disciples. It’s what separates the followers of Christ from the fans of Christ. You can be a fan, show up on Sundays, maybe throw up a prayer every now and then, and post a cute Bible verse meme on Instagram, but a disciple is someone who intentionally carves out time for God, disciplines their mind, and prioritizes what’s important. Discipline is what transforms you.

In 1 Timothy 4:7, Paul says, “Train yourself to be godly.” Notice it doesn’t say, “Wait for God to zap you into godliness.” Nope, it’s a process. A daily decision to focus on Him, read His Word, pray, serve, and most importantly, stay focused. It’s about turning off the distractions and tuning in to the voice of God.

The Rewards of Discipline

Here’s the good news: God rewards discipline. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being faithful. And the more we focus on Him, the more He pours into our lives. It’s like that analogy of a tree planted by the water—when you’re disciplined in your relationship with God, you grow deeper roots, and no distraction can blow you over.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus said, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” That’s the reward of discipline: God provides. When you choose Him over distractions, He takes care of everything else.

Closing Thoughts

So, here’s the bottom line, my friends: The devil will use distractions to keep you from your destiny. They’re his sneaky little sidekicks, and they come in all forms. But discipline—choosing to focus on God and what’s important—is the key to living a successful, fulfilling life in Christ. Don’t let distractions trip you up or slow you down. Stay disciplined in your walk with God, and you’ll experience the spiritual growth and fulfillment that He has waiting for you.

Remember: God is calling you to greatness. He’s not going to distract you; He’s going to equip you. But we have to do our part and make the choice to be disciplined disciples, not distracted fans.

Prayer

Lord, we confess that we’ve let distractions take over too many times. Forgive us for allowing the noise of this world to pull us away from You. Help us to stay disciplined in our walk with You, to focus on Your Word, Your purpose, and Your calling. We know that You have amazing plans for us, and we want to be fully aligned with You. Strengthen us, Father, to keep our eyes fixed on You, and not on the distractions of this world. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Alright, church, let’s turn off the distractions and tune into what God has for us. Let’s run the race with perseverance!