All the Enemy Needs to do is Distract Us

Recently I’ve been studying the book of Isaiah. I find the more I read the Bible the more I want to read and know. I want to understand the time period and what was happening so I have been digging into different commentaries. I just love to learn new things, and it seems the more I read the Bible, the more I discover.

The most recent chapter I read was Isaiah 17. While reading the commentary on this chapter, verse 10 stood out to me.

Isaiah 17:10 says, “ You have forgotten God, your Savior.”

Now this chapter is in regards to a prophecy for Damascus. A question that entered my mind was; How did they forget God? If I ask how they forgot God then I have to be honest and ask the same question of myself? How do I forget God? The commentator shared that our enemy doesn’t need lavish plans to have us sin and turn our backs on God. He just needs to make us forget God. 

How does the enemy get us to forget God?

One way the enemy distracts our focus from God to the things going on around us. It can be our health, finances, children, schedules, success, prized possessions.  The enemy studies us, learns what we care about, what we desire, what tempts us, and then uses those things to take our focus off what is truly important: God. 

If you know me, you know I get easily distracted. Completing one task before starting another is a challenge for me, which is probably why I can’t keep up with my phone. I would definitely lose my keys all the time if I didn’t have a system in place. That is why I always keep them in my purse. If I don't, then I will forget about them and likely lock myself out of my house and car. Being intentional with where I put my keys, helps me to know where they are at all times.

How can we remember God?

Just like my system with my car keys, we need a purposeful way to remember God.

The Bible tells us how to do this. Psalm 16:8 says, " I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Keeping our eyes on God helps us to remember Him.

Here are some ways I keep my eyes on God:

• Pay attention to how I am spending my time and what I am thinking about. Are these things uplifting and godly?

• Read His word each day to spend time with Him, learning more about Him and the truth. This can be a verse, a chapter or more. Just be in the word.

• Worship. One of the pastors at my church said it is really hard for the enemy to attack you when you are worshipping. It is hard to distract you when your focus is on the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

• Practice reflection and gratitude. Think about all the ways God has moved in my life. When our hearts are grateful each day for where God has placed us, we are focused on Him in our lives. 

• Pray. I used to think that when I got distracted in worship or prayer by things surrounding me that I wasn’t focused on God. During those times, I started praying for the things that came to my mind. One of our pastors recently mentioned that these thoughts are what we need to be bringing to God because that is what's on our hearts. So if you are distracted in a moment or at a time, take it to God in prayer. It is on your heart, so why not let it go and give it to God. 

Where do you find the enemy pulls your attention away from God? 

One of the things that distracts me the most is probably one of the most insignificant things. It is the mundane of the day to day. I can get so caught up in my to-do list that I forget that time with God.

To help with this, I set up a routine.

• I wake up and pray before I start my day.

• I read my Bible each morning, even if it is just a verse.

• I go for prayer/worship walks regularly.

• I take those quiet moments to see God’s creation and appreciate it. 

  
  

  Being intentional with my time helps me focus on God. Scheduling it sounds boring, but it works for me and it also helps me to see Him more throughout the day.

What are some ways that help you to remember God? I'd love to hear them!