I want to expose Satan's dirty work today. Have you noticed how distracted and busy we seem to be now a days? Time just does down the drain and we still haven't gotten the important things done. Each hour is a blur and fast fleeting. That is because Satan has been working very hard to keep us distracted. The more we are aware of this, the more we are able to recognize Satan's handiwork all around us in the world.
The scripture warns us to be watchful for the devil's distractions in
1 Peter 5:8,9:I found a list that shows the top five distractions in this modern day and age. I have briefly explained each one and how important it is to be careful with these things.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
5 Modern Distractions in 2008
#1- Virtual realities. MMORPG stands for "Massively Multi-player Online Role Playing Game." It is a virtual and false world that draws you in and you enter this world and interact with them. It gives you god-like powers to be lord over other players. One example is a popular game called "World of Warcraft" with over seven million players online at any given time! Doesn't this remind you of the time Satan promised Eve that she could become like God if she ate the fruit in Genesis 3:2-5. MMORPG games consume your time and allow you to live in a fake reality away from your own life. It distracts you from God, your spouse, your children, and your friends.
#2- The Internet! It is a powerful tool we own in our own home and many lose themselves in the internet for hours and hours clicking on one link after another. It can easily cause us to ignore things in our lives such as relationships, chores, bills, and other important things we could be doing. The internet also shows explicit images such as p*rnography, online gambling, fake worlds and virtual relationships. Porn addictions are rising at very high rates everyday!
We need to set our minds on the Lord and his ways, not wordly things.
"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways." Psalm 119:15.
#3- Video Games. We see XBox, Wii, and Playstations everywhere! Those things have ruined many relationships, families and grades. It is easy to get addicted to this game and gives you temporary pleasures but long term damage in your lives. The way they design the games now a days are more realistic than ever before and we are drawn inside the game. We are practically living inside the game. That is very dangerous!#4- Television. Cable can be very bad for us. Some of us say, "well, I watch good natured shows" but what about the rest of your family? How long are you watching? It is also a door that welcomes the world into your own home. Television promotes sexuality, homosexuality, violence, adultery, and so forth. No one can hide from commercials either.
#5-Consumption. That can include food, shopping, alcohol, or drugs. More and more debt pile up in our lives and we find ourselves addicted to the feeling that we get from these temporary pleasures. Suddenly, we must have more and more and it's so hard to stop!
I am guilty of this because I am addicted to restaurants. It is a real addiction and I cannot stop myself from going to one everyday. Who'd ever think someone could be addicted to restaurants? I didn't know but now it has happened to me. It gives me a temporary false happiness and I need more! It is like a drug.
I want to cry out to all of us to wake up and notice how HARD Satan is working in creating distractions for us everywhere we go! Everyone walks around talking on their cell phone or sending text messages. They've put television inside cars, restaurants, and supermarkets! There's the radio, billboards, advertisements, IPODs, and I can just go on and on! We're all slaves sitting in front of little squares that hypnotize us as time flies by quickly.
Why is Satan working so hard to distract us? Because the signs are everywhere. The Lord is literally at the door and is ready to come for his people. Satan wants to tear our attention away from God and "dream" our way through life and fall into hell. Get rid of these distractions! Turn your eyes on Jesus! Don't fall into this trap! I know we all have, but we can change that today! I urge you my brothers and sisters!
5 PLEASE COMMENT:
Ouch! My toes!! Thank you for sharing this today. It is so easy for me to tell the kids only 1 hour for tv, ps2, computer, but I don't follow it myself. I get sucked in for hours at a time unfortunately which is a huge time consumer. It keeps me from those things I need to get done around the house and everything else. Thank you for stepping on my toes today! :D I'm off of here. LOL!
This is so true Charlene. Amanda and Jocelyn each posted a video in the past few months about this very thing. All satan has to do is to keep us so busy that we don't do what is necessary.
http://aponderingheart.com/blog/?p=610
http://superangelsblog.com/?p=381
I used to stay on the laptop for too long, but I am learning to manage my time and rarely have time to click links anymore unless I have to have the info. I rarely have enough time to get on and read great articles like this one, and sometimes I really need to read them and get my brain juices flowing and let God speak to my heart in these areas!
Reading my friends blogs for pleasure is something I don't even get to do much :(. I do try to keep up with all of your lives, even if I don't get to comment!
"Time just does down the drain and we still haven't gotten the important things done. Each hour is a blur and fast fleeting. "
I hate feeling this way!! I have been talking to Jocelyn about cutting out any online commitments that do not directly benefit the LORD leading our family, and I know God will be faithful to show them to me and to lead me out of them.
I do not want to miss this precious time with our children because satan has me sidetracked and going a million different directions other than the one God wants me in.
We do not watch but maybe an hour of tv a week, if there is a nature program or a debate or something...
We have NEVER allowed games like playstation, and I don't let them play games on the pc or my phone or even the little cheap-o handheld ones. My brother became addicted to games [back when pacman was all the rage], and he admitted to me that it led to his gambling addiction [which led to some time in jail]. I see those games as a means to our end, not just idle amusement time.
Now, if there is inherent learning value, we play the games [like a Bible game or Scrabble, Boggle or Trivial Pursuit] I don't see the necessity in getting good at maneuvering on a DS or even meeting others in chat rooms to play games on end. One thing we have done online in the area of games is to play each other on Yahoo, in WordRacer[like Boggle]. But, that only happens like once every 8-12m!!
My biggest problem right now is getting my older girls to bed early so I can have an hour with no children up and some quiet for myself. I love spending time with my children, but we all know we need some peace and time alone!
I just need to get all of us into bed at 11pm and get up at 6 one morning and just continue after that.
Thank you Charlene. This is so very true. Even e/c activities such as sports and the arts can be addictions that keep us busy and away from God and our families. We need to guard our children so that they are not with their friends more than family or so consumed with being the best at any given activity that it becomes an idol.
As Believers, I believe we need to be very careful we are not training our children up in habits or hobbies just because it is an acceptable American way of life.
I love to scrapbook and make cards, and I played softball for 20 years, but that is not compatible with being a wife and mom, so it is not something we do much anymore. If I get to scrapbook, it is a rare thing, and no longer just out with my friends, but time to spend with my children, building memories with my family.
Anyway, sorry for the long comment. :P Thank you for your thoughts on this. I pray God will bless the readers and show each of us where we can devote more time to Him.
blessings! J
http://jacquedixon.com
Sherry, I hope I didn't hurt your toes too bad ;) I wrote this because even I am guilty of this and I have to deal with this everyday. I think we all do! It's everywhere, that's why.
Mrs Jacque, thank you for your comment! You offer such a valuable insight and you are a very wise woman! Your daughters are very wonderful examples of how you raise them well. I have two little boys and I am learning about this as I go!
I agree wholeheartedly, I find myself watching other people live their lives through a television screen. I also spend too much time on the internet. Luckily God answered my prayers and softened my husband's heart to the idea of getting rid of cable/internet for a while. AMEN!
I also like the idea of cutting down on the internet like Mrs.Jacque mentioned and only keeping what benefits the Lord. I am ready to quit MySpace and Facebook. Their ADs are just terrible!
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