​       WARING ABOUT DISTRACTIONS

                                                                                                                                                                         By W. G. Guy

1 Corinthians 7:35 –  And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

        What are distractions?  A distraction is defined as any means to divert attention away from a purpose, path or away to another direction; a means to introduce confusion or hindrance.

      This is a warning to true God fearing, Bible believing Christians: be aware of distractions!  They are going to greatly multiply and become more intense as the return of our LORD Jesus draws nearer.  The enemy of Christ, and our faith in Him, will employ a multitude of means to distract our faith, our walk with Jesus, and confidence in His Word.

        What kind of distractions can we expect to encounter in the days ahead?

        1) What is presented by the news media.
        2)   Pestilence, disease and personal health or medical issues.
        3) Financial collapse, problems, personal or national.
       4) Weather: storms and sudden changes.
       5) Natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanoes, floods.
       6) Social disturbances and riots.
       7) Political issues.
      8) Famines.
      9) Artificial Intellegance.
    10) Energy Shortages.
    11) UFO’s and aliens
    12) Sporting Events 

       Notice what is common among most items on this list of distractions is that most will bring about an element of the unexpected which can cause fear.  Fear leads to doubt, and doubt causes people to back away from their position, and then look toward a means for relief or escape.  Thus it is imperative to keep your eyes on the Lord, His Word and keep looking up to Him. 

         Jesus foretold us that these things would be experienced prior to His return:  He mentioned them in very broad terms.  Some of these issues have already occurred; other issues will signal His soon return.

Matthew 24:6-8 – And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.

         These things have been going on since His ascension to heaven; but the following  things are yet to be fulfilled; and soon!

Luke 21:25-28 – And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;  men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

         Jesus said it would be as in the days of Noah.  What were they doing in the days of Noah?  They were very distracted with their everyday affairs and were not aware of what was coming even though the warnings signs were prevalent.

Matthew 24:37-39 – But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

         Days of distraction are those times when people are so preoccupied with the things that are listed above; items 1) thru 12), that few will be paying attention to what Jesus said to be on the look out for.

Luke 21:34-36 – And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life (distractions), and so that day come upon you unawares.  For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

         Do not allow yourself to be distracted by events or bad news.  Keep your focus on Christ and the promises from His Word, and He will keep you and see you through all that is coming upon the whole world.  

John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

      As it is written:  “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”   Do not allow yourself to be so distracted as to not recognize the day of the coming of the LORD.