This vice which increasingly affects our daily lives
Many people do not even realize how distracted they are because distraction has taken on such a subtle character. It hides behind words such as: work, fatigue, laziness and so on. The word distraction implies a diversion of attention from point A to point B. Point A here is your Christian life, and point B is anything that can distance you or divert you from this life. The Christian life demands a lot of attention and very often we give it only the debris of our time. Let us remember that it was during a moment of inattention that sin came into the world. Eve was distracted by the serpent and thus defocused her gaze from the Word of God (Genesis 2:16-17) and focused it on the serpent's Word (Genesis 3:1; 4). Eve did not know that this diversion of attention would be the consequence of her expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The trap of distraction is that it very often makes us believe that we can follow two masters at once. But the Bible says that this is impossible (Matthew 6:24).
Peter warns the disciples about the devil. He lets them know that he is going around looking for someone to devour and he tells them to be vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). Distraction is often so subtle that if you are not vigilant, you will not even notice how the devil has found a way to draw you away from God. We can see distraction in three main forms: distraction of the spirit, the soul, and the body.
When we look at the story of Adam and Eve for example, we will notice that Eve was distracted by the first channel of her physical senses. She lent her ear to the devil; and after listening to him, she found the tree good for food. From then on, her eyes and soul were corrupted and lust entered and spiritual death followed. This is why it is very important to watch over your senses. To whom do you give your ears, your eyes? Know that no matter what form of distraction (spirit, soul or body), it will affect other entities. If your soul is distracted, your spirit will be affected in some way, as well as your flesh. When you give your life to Jesus, your spirit is new but your soul and flesh do not directly change. This is why Paul speaks of the renewing of the mind and offering our bodies as living sacrifices.
To see whether or not you have fallen into distraction, take stock of your day as a Christian: “Was I productive today spiritually, academically, professionally, or in my duty of purpose and destiny? If not, why not? What kept me from doing so? Was it social media, TV1/YouTube/Netflix, my friends (unnecessary hours of phone calls)?”
The Bible says that there is a time for everything. After you understand that you have been distracted, ask yourself what your priorities are, and establish them in a clear and precise manner. If God is your priority, this must be reflected in your days. If you really want to have this job, or work on this project or be an attentive wife or a mother who cooks well for the health of her children, it takes time and organization. We understand that when I talk about distraction, I am not talking about watching a movie a week, but about the fact that distraction prevents you from achieving your goals in all aspects and not developing yourself. However, some distractions, I will not hide it from you, require a concrete separation; I include here certain relationships. Indeed, there are toxic relationships that are severe forms of distraction. They do not only require a redress of priorities, but a total separation. The Bible is clear on this: bad company corrupts good morals.
Finally, it is important to always return to the Master's feet to ask Him for help. Do not stay away from God after a long time of distraction (which usually leads to spiritual demotion). On the contrary, draw closer to God and ask Him to help you love Him and put Him first. The Bible says that the spirit is always willing but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). Do not expect your flesh to always want to be in God's presence; because most of the time our distractions come from our flesh and its desires. It is essential to take authority and remember that even if your flesh can feel bored in the presence of God, your spirit longs for this presence.