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Starve Your Distractions, Feed Your Focus!

July 3, 2019·Danielle McEntee

I have read the Book of Proverbs many times in my years as a Christian, but recently, as I studied Proverbs 4 in our Pause plan, the words resonated with me even more profoundly than any other period in my life. Take a moment to carefully read these weighty words:

“So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. Avoid dishonest speech and pretentious words. Be free from using perverse words no matter what! Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions. Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.”
—  Proverbs 4:23-27 (The Passion Translation)

The Bible tells us that our hearts are deceitful above all else! Proverbs warns us to guard our deceitful hearts, because they affect all that we are! It’s so true! We can often get so easily distracted by things of this world, things we desire, things we feel will complete us and make us happy, but if they are not a part of God’s will for our lives, they are merely a “detour that leads to darkness”! WOW! Real talk right there!

How often have I let my sinful flesh distract me and sidetrack me from the purpose God has for me? How often have I allowed my ungodly affections and human desires to seep into my heart and mind, turning me away from the path of truth?! How often have I failed to watch where I’m going, because I’m so blinded by the lies of the enemy? The answer is: too often! In a world where feelings and emotions reign as “truth,” it’s easy to become sidetracked and led down the detour to darkness.

Our affections need to be first and foremost directed toward the Lord. In other words, put on blinders as you journey down the straight and narrow. Anything that’s not set in the path before you, isn’t going to bring you life.

Pastor Dani McEntee

The Church on the Way