“DISTRACTIONS”
What
does the bible have to say about distractions?… Hmmm. That was truly a hard
one. You see… the word “distraction” isn’t in the bible. When searching
for the synonyms of distractions… i.e. interruption, diversion, disruption,
disturbance, agitation, commotion, etc… These were not found
either. However, there was one that I was able to find and it opened a
door to a couple of others… Being Double-Minded.
As I
looked in the bible, when it talked about the character of a person, anything
that was doubled wasn’t good and the things that were single were good. For
example: double-hearted, double-minded, double-tongued or singleness of heart
and single eyed. Let’s dive into this study.
Double-Tongued
1
Tim. 3:8 – Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued…
This
is a standard for all of God’s people to not be “double-tongued”. Say what you
mean and mean what you say. Don’t expect people to read between the lines but
be clear and concise so that there aren’t any misunderstandings of what you
meant. Don’t say one thing and then say the opposite another time because it is
convenient for you. Say what you mean and stand by what you say. If you say you
are going to do something, then do it. That way, people value your word and
believe you to be trustworthy.
Double-Minded
Double-minded
means that you are not committed and focused on one thing. For example, you may
have multiple employers and are not able to completely perform your work as you
should because you are not committed to either completely or one requires more
of you than you can give. If you are doing multiple things in dealing with
different responsibilities, your mind goes here to do this task and there to do
another but never completely finishing either to the best of your ability for
whatever reason. It is different than multi-tasking. With true multitasking,
you can complete the jobs where it doesn’t become a distracter to have multiple
responsibilities simultaneously. When it is where you are not able to fulfill
your duty because you are not fully committed to one specific task at hand and
are being pulled between different responsibilities, it is not multi-tasking
but distraction.
James
1:8 – A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways
James
4:8 – Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you
sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
When
we are not committed and focused, we are unstable. When we are going all over
the place with everything in our lives, things are chaotic and disorderly. God
is a God of order. Clear up all the junk in it that is keeping you back from
living victoriously. Make a commitment to God and focus on Him. “Seek ye first
the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added
unto you.”
This
is the same in your everyday life. Make a decision of what is important in your
life and stand by it being committed to it and focused on it. Don’t be
wishy-washy. Many things are a priority in our lives, however, at times, other
things are more of a priority. i.e.: When you are at work, that is your
priority to earn a living so that you can care for your family. Domestic
duties, which are important in their time, will have to wait til after work.
Double-Hearted:
When the bible is
speaking of being double hearted, it means your heart is not committed to one
thing, perhaps even torn between other commitments. Kind of like being in love
with 2 people, it won’t work; you have to choose one or the other and be
faithful to the one.
1 Chr. 12:33, 38
– Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments
of war, 50,000, which could keep rank: They were NOT of double heart. All these
men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron to make
David king over all Israel…
These scriptures
tell us that the soldiers were committed to the death. They decided what side
they were on and committed and focused themselves to being victorious in the
task set before them thus probably saving their own lives. They put their heart
in it. In other words, they did it whole-heartedly. They were also united as
one-heart and one-mind in the decision that they made.
Ps. 12:2 – They speak vanity every one with his
neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.
This scripture
mentions about people who say one thing to us and then go and stab us in the
back. They are just flatterers and gossips. They don’t mean what they say to
you. Their hearts are not positive toward you. Choose carefully what people you
will surround yourselves with and what kind of person you will be. “A good
friend sticks closer than a brother.” We become changed by what we choose to be
around. Do you really want gossips and backbiters in your arena? So make a wise
choice.
If you have
problems with distractions, double-minded, your heart is torn between two
things, you have problems with gossiping or backbiting, you can overcome this
just like any other problem. Send me an e-mail at livingvictoriously1@gmail.com, the
information you send is private and is only between you and I, just leave a
name and number and I will call you, will pray with you, and will pray for you
that God will deliver you from whatever issue is plaguing you.
Join me next week as we cover “Distractions in the Bible” Part 2 - Having singleness of heart and being single-eyed.