There are numerous things that are distracting us from our God, and avoiding distractions during our daily Bible Study, like social media, social activities, and cell phones, should be at the top of the list. Most of these things are not bad, however, we can’ t allow these distractions to take us away from God and His Word. And if we allow distractions to occupy our time, this only takes us further away from him. Don’t allow the fog of the world to distract you, make you lose sight of God.
Do you ever get distracted while going through a Bible Study? There is always something which needs our attention. Our families, our jobs, even relationships can be distracted. Distractions are everywhere, and they have a negative impact on Bible study because they waste time.
It is easy for the mind to wander during Bible study, especially if one does not know where to begin. The story of Mary and Martha is a good example of how we can be easily distracted instead of focusing on the Word of God.
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken from her.”
— Luke 10:41-42
Many of us can relate to this story. Mary chose to give Jesus full attention while Martha was concerned with serving. Luke 10:38-42. Mary decided to focus more on Jesus than on other activities. Multi-tasking during a Bible study can be distracting. It does not work. Full attention is required in order to achieve the most during a Bible Study.
Bible reading is essential. It is the Word of God. It is our roadmap. In these times we live in, it is important to know how to study the Bible. Where to go to find the answers, you have been praying for. We can learn more from the Bible if we spend more time reading it. In this post, I will share some of the tips which I find helpful during Bible reading.
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What Does the Bible Say About Avoiding Distractions?
One evangelist said, “It takes five percent effort to win a person to Christ and ninety-five percent effort to keep him in Christ and growing to maturity.” There are two closely related reasons for this.
First, the convert fails initially to count the cost so that he truly understands commitment to Christ (Luke 14:26-33). Second, once committed, he fails to think about events and attitudes in his life in relation to the Kingdom of God.
Without this, a Christian never gets past the surface. What is preventing you from giving full attention to what God is calling you to do. What is stopping you from reaching your full potential God has for you.
Whatever you give attention to the most is going to flow out of your heart and define your life. The Internet, cell phones, television, and the speed at which technology advances and information flows has created an environment where distractions surround us every moment of the day—literally, from the moment we wake up to the moment we shut our eyes at night.
I am reminded of Nehemiah 6: 1-4. Where Nehemiah was heartbroken for his city and the shambles that it was in. He left the comfort of the kingdom and his job to go and sacrifice himself for the sake of others.
He has been criticized and threatened along the way but he was unselfish in his endeavor to help others so he stayed focused on the task that God had laid on his heart and did not let the distractions keep him from doing the will of God.
We are a distracted people because we have so many more things in our lives that keep us from staying focused on the things that really matter. In our homes we have a ton of channels on our televisions, computers and I phone that have more technology than we need, and we also have more distractions with the busyness of life.
Some things are not always bad but still cost us time and focus from what we should really be doing. We are going to look at the continuing story of Nehemiah and see what he did to keep himself on track as well as what distractions he dealt with.
Biblical Definition of Distraction
Dis·trac·tion
a thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else. “To be overly occupied about a thing; to be drawn away.”
Examples of Distractions in the Bible
Samson
You can read about Samson in Judges 13-16. What you will find is a man who had a destiny and let his relationship distract him from his purpose.
Samsons identity was established in God, and his nazarite vow was a part of who Samson was.
It is important to remember that who you really are, your identity will always be a point of attack from the enemy. Samson was no different, the key parts of his vow were constantly challenged by Delilah. She continued to distract Samson from his identity and convinced him to give away his secret.
David
You will find in the bible that there are a number of people that were distracted by relationships. Lust and sexuality are a massive distraction for many people. David was no different.
In David’s story however he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 11:1
David was king, and his responsibility was to be at war with his men. Instead, he stayed in Jerusalem, and because he was there it created an opportunity for him to be distracted.
I do not believe it was the first time he had been up on that roof, and he probably knew exactly who Bathsheba was because her husband Uriah was in David’s army.
David got distracted and then made the situation worse but murdering to cover up his mistake. When we get distracted and make mistakes we are out of position and try to cover up rather than go to God for forgiveness and help.
Eve
In the garden of Eden everything was provided. It was utopia. The serpent was able to distract eve when she was isolated. He lied to her and convinced her that what God really said was not true…she got distracted and made a mistake.
We need community, sometimes it is the people around us that help keep us on track.
Martha
Jesus had come over for dinner and there was a number of people doing a number of different things. Martha got distracted by all of the business and was not paying attention to Jesus. Sometimes she gets a bad rap; things need to get done. However, she let the business distract her from Jesus who was there in the room.
How Do You Avoid Distractions While Praying?
As women with busy schedules, it can be hard to turn our attention off housework, home schooling the kids, preparing meals for the family, helping with homework, while the phone rings with the other person on the other end need to be minster too. We find ourselves needing more quiet time with the Jesus.
I am most productive in the morning, so I make prayer and time in the Word a priority. During that time, I am in my quiet place with God. I plan all of my scheduled appointments with people in the afternoon and evening. A regular routine is a must for me!
No matter what is going on in my life, no matter what is scheduled, my time with Jesus is so very important, He always get first priority. To avoid distractions while praying:
- Distance yourself from things you know will distract you – We must be purposeful in reducing any possible distractions. For instance, email, telephone conversations and social media pull me in. I would not turn on my computer before I spent time with God first. Obviously, we can’t eliminate all distractions, but we can reduce them.
When we allow distractions to derail our prayer life, we have to ask the Holy Spirit to help us stay focus. God doesn’t appreciate our half-hearted attention any more than my husband enjoys knowing I’m paying more attention to the TV than to him during an important conversation
2. Set a consistent time and place every day away from distractions.
Being consistent, especially during our prayer time, and designate a certain place where we spend time with God. Choosing a specific time and certain spot each time makes it stand out from other places in our homes.
3. Keep your eyes and heart focused on Jesus – When we pray and read our Bibles we are communicating with God! He hears us. We hear Him. Yet we sometimes lose sight of that reality.
Distractions always comes when we spend time in God’s Word to separate and take our attention off Jesus. The enemy will see to it.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1 Peter 4:12 (KJV)
John 10:10 says that the enemy comes to “steal, kill and destroy”. The enemy wants to steal your time with God.
Related:10 Hacks for Overcoming Distractions During Your Bible Study
How Do You Stay Focus During Prayer?
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17)
The enemy will always try to distract you from what you are to be doing and the choice is not always easy to discern. What has God called you to do? Then do that. When you know what your God given priorities are, then you will know if the other things that are pulling at you are worthy of your time.
They were persistent in trying to get Nehemiah distracted and so will others do to you when they want to get your attention and time. If you are not careful people can wear you down over time just like a child who continues to ask for the same thing repeatedly. You think that by giving into their needs it will relieve the situation but, you just allowed them to have control over you. Therefore, you have to know the great work God has called you to do and prioritize your life around it.
How Do You Avoid Distractions?
Distractions is something everyone experience. Between social media, the entertainment industry, television, iPad, cell phones, are some of the things that will distract you from your time studying the Bible.
The lust of the eye, the desires of the flesh, the world, and Satan are the four most dangerous enemies of quiet time (1Jn 2:16-17)
Here are some ways you can use to keep your focus during your Bible Study Time.
Spend Time in Prayer
Prayer is our way of communicating and relating to God in an intimate way. It is a way to hear His voice, make our requests known and reveal any sin. It is POWERFUL.
You cannot be distracted by things that are keeping you from your purpose. You do not have time to waste, worried about what people think about you. Your time is too valuable to respond to every critic, every negative comment, try to convince people that you really are okay – those are distractions.
God has already lined up the right people, people that will celebrate you, people that will cheer you on, people that stick with you through thick and thin. But too often we are trying to convince people to be our friend, convince them to spend time with us, but if someone does not see the gift you are, if they do not recognize your talents, value your friendship, do yourself a favor and move on. No offense, but they are not a part of your destiny.
Most of the things that come against you are simply distractions. You have to keep your face set, it takes focus, it takes discipline to say, “I am not going to respond, not going to waste my valuable time. I have a destiny to fulfill.
Mark 6:45-56, we see that even the disciples were easily distracted and oblivious to the miracles that Jesus was performing right in front of their eyes. They were too busy and overwhelmed by the storm to see the miracle or appreciate it for all its worth.
Storms and rough seasons are the best distractions Satan uses to take our eyes off of Jesus and all that He is doing in our lives. The disciples were so focused on the storm they were in the middle of that they almost missed Jesus’ walking right by their boat on the water. Can you imagine missing a miracle as incredible as that one?
Spend Time Reading the Word of God on a Consistent Basis
The Bible commands us to love the Word of God, to meditate in it day and night, and to obey what it says (Psalms 1:2, Psalms 119). This will all be impossible to do if we only read one or two verses a day. Instead, we should turn off all the distractions around us (when we are able) and learn to find joy in studying God’s Word.
Not only should we have a set time every day that we devote to studying God’s Word, but we should also be careful what we allow our minds to think on throughout the day.
One of the main reasons we are encouraged to read the Bible is so that we can renew our minds and be more like Jesus in our day-to-day walk. But if we read the Bible for thirty minutes a day and then we spend an hour to two hours watching garbage on television, are we really renewing our minds? Which one do you think has the stronger influence on our thought life?
So, all of us should be careful to ensure that we use the Word of God to transform us and that we use it to throw out anything that is contrary to its truth. If we fail to do this, our lives will not look like Christ.
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
Hebrews 12:1-2 – “Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Before David faced Goliath, his father asked him to take lunch to his brothers that were in another city on the battlefield. David arrived and gave the lunch to his oldest brother, he was jealous of David, he said in front of everyone, “What are you doing here David?
What did you do with those few sheep you are supposed to be taking care of”? Instead of thanking David for traveling several days, he insulted him, tried to belittle him. Now, David had
John 17:4 have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.
Jesus did what He came to do, no more and no less. There was so much more to be done but Jesus knew that He had one job to do and that was to do the will of the Father. Many people tried to pull at Jesus and make Him do what they wanted but Jesus stayed focused on His task even at the expense of making others mad at Him.
In Luke 9:51 it says, “Jesus had set his face toward Jerusalem,” which meant nothing was going to detour Him away from the mission. The Samaritans became so angry with Jesus he went to stay in another village.
People will not always understand that you are doing a great work and they will not always agree that the work you are doing is greater than the work they want you to do.
One of the works of the enemy is to have a Judas or a betrayer close to you. These are people that will seem they are for you, yet they will betray you for their own benefit or because their loyalty is with another person.
Pray and Ask the Holy Spirit to keep you Focus.
These people are serving for their benefit of what they can get from you and not for the glory of God.
David killed a lion and a bear with his own hands, he was young, but he was not a weakling. I have no doubt, he could have taken care of his brother. But David thought, “What are the spoils? What good is it going to do me, if I embarrass my brother in front of his peers, like he did me”? He realized, all that would do was feed his ego, there was no reward.
The scripture says David turned and walked away. He ignored it. One reason we are talking about him is he knew which battles to fight, he did not engage in every conflict.
And Paul said in Romans 12:18, “As far as you can live at peace with everyone.” It does not say that you are always going to have peace with every person, some people do not want to have peace with you.
David’s brother did not want peace, he was jealous, he was small-minded, he wanted to stir things up. David had to accept that his brother was not going to be at peace with him.
Genesis 12, God told Abraham to leave his country, his relatives and his father’s house and go to the land of Canaan. Abraham gathered up his belongings, got his flocks and herds and he left, but he took his nephew Lot with him. God just told him to leave his relatives. I do not know, maybe he thought, “Lot will get his feelings hurt, he may be offended.” He knew the right thing to do, but he was afraid someone would not understand. When they arrived, the land would not sustain both he and Lot, all their flocks and herds. Their shepherd started arguing, there was strife and division, all because Lot was not supposed to be there in the first place.
Finally Lot moved to a different part of the country. The scripture says, after Lot left God said to Abraham: look around, all the lands you see I will give it to you. It is interesting that God did not speak until after Lot left. When Abraham finally did what he knew he was supposed to do, when Lot moved away, that’s when Abraham stepped into the fullness of the blessing. There are many things in our lives that can be distracting:
3 Common Distractions That Can Challenge Your Walk with Jesus
So many things in this world fight for our attention…and when we allow them to take too much of our time…and attention…we lose our focus. If we are overly distracted and preoccupied with other things our ears will not hear Jesus’ call to walk with Him.
“Now as they were traveling along, He [Jesus] entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’” (Luke 10:38-42)
One of the strategies of the devil is to get us to focus on anything and everything to the exclusion of God and His Word. I must confess I fall into this trap on occasion, whether at home, work, or driving on the highway. There is always some pressure that weighs on my soul, and when I allow it to govern my attitude and actions, it brings out the worst in me and the result is that I behave poorly toward others.
Matthew 6:25-30 ESV
“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, twenty-nine yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
Daily Routines and Commitments
What happens to most of us in our pursuit to meet the basic needs in life is that we get extremely caught up either with studies, work, or the perfect career/business pursuit. Then, time becomes a very costly commodity for us. Consequently, we tend to not have time for prayer, bible study, or even church. That is why the Bible advises us:
Ephesians 5:16 ESV
- “…making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
We should not blame a lack of time as an excuse for our relaxed walk with Jesus. Make the most of your time in the office, at home, while travelling, and in everything you do. Create margin in your life and pursue a relationship with Jesus.
Ourselves
Ourselves. Us. The last one on the list of distractions, and possibly the most likely to distract us. We are No matter what you do, there will be a constant battle within yourself between spirit and flesh, to try to get you do what you want to do, instead of what the Holy Spirit is telling you to do.
Romans 7:15-20 ESV
- “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”
That is why we need to constantly allow God to search our hearts and purify it (Psalm 139:23-24). The first step to overcoming ourselves is being aware.
Three common distractions that can derail your walk with Jesus. It is a constant struggle to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and to not become distracted by the passing concerns and things of this world.
But if you are aware of what can, and does, interfere with your walk with Him, with His help you can begin to take the necessary actions to prevent them.
Remember, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
God is the most prized possession of us all. We cannot ignore him for worldly things. Now that we have identified the biggest things distracting us from God, we need to improve. These things are necessary for life but not as much as God. Make sure you take out time to pray.
Christian quotes about distractions
“The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper path. The more you know Him and commune with Him, the more the Spirit will make you like Him. The more you are like Him, the better you will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that is the only way to know real satisfaction.” John MacArthur
“God did not create you to live a distracted life. God created you to live a Jesus-infused life.”
“Don’t let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of the Lord.”
“If the enemy can’t destroy you, he will distract you.”
“If the enemy can distract you from your time alone with God, then he can isolate you from the help that comes from God alone.”
“If Satan cannot have your heart, he’ll do his best to distract you.”
“When the enemy sends distractions, they never look like distractions until they are finished distracting you.”
“The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from the proper path. The more you know Him and commune with Him, the more the Spirit will make you like Him. The more you are like Him, the better you will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that is the only way to know real satisfaction.” John MacArthur
“God did not create you to live a distracted life. God created you to live a Jesus-infused life.”
“Don’t let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of the Lord.”
“If the enemy can’t destroy you, he will distract you.”
“If the enemy can distract you from your time alone with God, then he can isolate you from the help that comes from God alone.”
“If Satan cannot have your heart, he’ll do his best to distract you.”
“When the enemy sends distractions, they never look like distractions until they are finished distracting you.”
It is important to remember that who you really are, your identity will always be a point of attack from the enemy. Samson was no different, the key parts of his vow
Let us not be those who allow worry, riches, or the pleasures of life to choke the Word of God so that it bears no fruit in our lives, both within and without. Rather, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16). And when the pressures of life begin to mount, be wise and cast “all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7), and “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phi 4:6), and “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’” (Heb 13:5)
Bible Verses About Distractions During Your Bible Study Time
Luke 10:40
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
1 Corinthians 7:35
This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:3
While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.
Psalm 55:2
Give heed to me and answer me.
I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,
Ephesians 6:16
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Colossians 3:2
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
Luke 10:41
But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things.
Psalm 88:15
I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on. I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
1 Corinthians 7:34
and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
Galatians 5:7
You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
Psalm 119:37
Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Your ways.
2 Timothy 2:4
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
Matthew 7:13
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
Malachi 1:8
But when you present the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you present the lame and sick, is it not evil? Why not offer it to your governor? Would he be pleased with you? Or would he receive you kindly?” says the Lord of hosts.
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
1 Corinthians 7:32
But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
2 Timothy 2:14
Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
1 Corinthians 7:33
but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
As a final word, James 1:23-25 says, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it – not forgetting what they have heard but doing it – they will be blessed in what they do.”
Put simply, when we do what the word says, and keep our focus on the Word of God, we are blessed!
So next time you sit down to engage with God’s word, get alone in a quiet place, draw near to God, and be ready to take notes… and action… on what He shows you. These are great ways to keep your focus on God, and not becoming distracted.
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