1John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (16) For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life–is not from the Father but is from the world. (17) And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Recently I have been taking a close look at the things I do to fill my time. As I consider these things I try to run them through a very simple filter. I ask myself two questions.

• Does this have an eternal purpose?
• Is it something that brings glory to God?

As I consider these verses in the book of 1John I can’t help but think about what he is saying to me today. There are too many distractions the enemy chooses to use to keep us from considering the things of Christ. John describes three. The desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life.

So what are these distractions and how can I avoid them. For many I believe the biggest distraction is the television. Sports, tv series, entertainment and the like all numb our mind and keep us from the things of the Lord. I look at the upcoming “super” football game and am amazed at how many people stare at a screen for hours on end watching men paid millions of dollars carry a ball. All the while we are simply being marketed to by multi-billion dollar corporations to purchase more stuff.

John says that when we love the things of the world the love of the Father is not in us. So how do we avoid them? First, we should stop promoting them in our churches and organizations. When the pulpit is used to promote worldly events it has become a tool for the enemy to distract the believers from the Lord. Next, take the time you would spend participating in the things of the world and dive into the Word. Spend time reading and studying what God has for you. Lastly, fellowship… Rather than gathering together to celebrate the things of this corrupt culture, celebrate the things of the Lord.

The world and its desires are passing away and we will pass away right along with it if we spend our time in the things of the world. Christ calls us to a higher calling. When we abide in Him and follow after what has eternal purpose and brings glory to Him then we are truly seeking the heart of God.

Prayer

Lord, help me to not be distracted by the things of the world. Though they seem fun for the moment, I know that they do not bring you glory and are keeping me from serving you with all my heart, soul, and mind. Amen.