Hello

I reckon distraction is one of the devil’s most effective strategies for hindering the work of the church today.  The devil tries to distract followers of Jesus by getting us to focus on things that are not important, convince us that they are important, and then create division by getting us to disagree about those unimportant things.  Those unimportant things are usually human doctrines and teachings.  Christians rarely disagree about the teachings of Jesus.

Some of these unimportant things are things the world values.  In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus talked about the seeds that grew among thorns and the thorns grew up and choked them.  When his disciples asked him to explain the parable, he said:

“The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” (Matthew 13:22. See also Mark 4:18-19; Luke 8:14.)

So, the devil tries to distract us by getting us to worry about the things of this life and by trying to make us believe that increased wealth means increased happiness rather than focusing on important things.  (I love that phrase “the deceitfulness of wealth”).

What are the important things that we should be focusing on?  Jesus said:

“‘You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment.” (Matthew. 22:37-38.  See also Mark 12:28-30; Luke 10:25-28)

According to Jesus, the most important thing we must do is love our loving Father with everything we’ve got.  (For some practical thoughts on this, see the article “What did Jesus say about loving God?” – Link below.)

The second most important thing we must do is love others the same way we love ourselves.

“And a second is like it: ‘You will love your neighbor the same way you love yourself.’” (Matthew 22:39. See also Mark 12:31; Luke 10:27)

According to Jesus, the most important things we must do are love our loving heavenly Father and love our human sisters and brothers.  To put it very simply, Jesus’ commands can be summed up in one word, “love”.  And the devil does everything he can to distract us from obeying that very simple command.

The devil wants to distract us from listening to all of Jesus’ teaching.  Luke tells us about an occasion when Jesus and his disciples visited the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary.  Martha was distracted with all the work she had to do but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to his teaching.  Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her.  Jesus said,

“Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things.  Only one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen that better portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)

Jesus said that Mary chose the better portion, the one thing that is necessary, she listened to the teachings of Jesus.

May our loving, heavenly Father bless us as we too listen to the teachings of his beloved son.

Jesus is Lord.

Peter O

 

Related articles

What did Jesus say about loving God?

What did Jesus say about loving others?

What does Jesus want his followers to do?

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