In these last few months, as a pandemic ravages the people in every nation, we must beware of distractions that harm our relationship with God, keeping us from the simplicity of devotion to Christ.
Many things abound in this world to steal our attention away from what truly matters. Fears and distractions can crash upon us in wave after wave, threatening to knock us down. Our minds are captured on social media by politics, news and even conspiracy theories. As many of us are stuck on lockdown at home, we take in social media even more, tempted to compare our lives to others.
Be on the lookout for the hindrance that fear, politics, conspiracy theories and comparison bring.
The Distraction of Conspiracy Theories from Devotion to God
When it comes to conspiracy theories, remember this: God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for a reason. Satan then tempted Adam and Eve to do so for his own evil reasons. We are called to partake of the Tree of Life–Jesus Christ and His words, not the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God’s thoughts are higher and His ways are better.
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”
2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (ESV)
Often we desire to know things so we can feel more in control. I suspect that may have been part of the temptation Adam and Eve faced, being able to know what God knows by eating of the forbidden tree. The truth is, knowledge does not necessarily bring more control into our hands–usually this is a delusion that brings only temporary comfort. In the end, only God knows all things and only He is in full control.
We must carry our fears to God and surrender control to Him. We will never know everything, and this pursuit when it comes to conspiracy theories will only distract us from our devotion to the Lord.
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth and teaches what we need to know. He brings to remembrance what we need when we need it. As believers, we are called to follow God’s leadership and rely on Him and His Word. We seek His wisdom and not man, the world or the devil.
“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence”
2 Peter 1:3 (ESV)
It is the knowledge of God that we need above all other knowledge. We must be vigilant to avoid distractions that keep us from the purity and simplicity of devotion to Christ and His Gospel.
Comparison can also be a distraction from Christ.
The highlight reel of others’ lives fills our feeds 24/7, tempting us to compare our temporary quarantine life with others.
Remember this: You can choose to be thankful with the things in your life that are good. You can be grateful that even in the difficulty, God never leaves or forsakes us. We have eternity waiting, this life is not the end for us.
You can seek to turn every worry, frustration or temptation into prayer to the Lord. God has given us all we need for life and godliness in the knowledge of Himself. You don’t need to know everything about what is going on or figure out the latest theories about what is happening in the world. You can trust that God will speak to you concerning what you and your family need to know or do.
And if you feel like you aren’t experiencing God’s presence right now—feeling as if He isn’t near—it doesn’t mean you need to dig in harder to do so or that something is wrong with you.
Remember, beloved, it’s not about a feeling or experience, it’s about believing God, living out truth and loving Him and others.
Watch out for those worthless things that try to steal your focus from God and what truly matters. Determine to take every thought captive to Christ. Beware of distractions that seek to hinder the simplicity of devotion to Christ.
“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”
Psalm 119:37 (ESV)
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