Distractions & Purpose
The Battle for Our Attention: Finding God in a Distracted World
We live in an age of infinite distraction. Knowledge proliferates at unprecedented rates, yet confusion seems to grow alongside it. The prophet Daniel was told that in the end times, "many will run to and fro and knowledge will increase" (Daniel 12:4). That ancient prophecy feels remarkably current as we navigate a world where we can find a philosophy or community to legitimize virtually any idea that pops into our heads.
This proliferation of information has created a peculiar problem: the only solution may be to actually know the One who knows it all.
The Screwtape Strategy
C.S. Lewis understood something profound about spiritual warfare when he wrote The Screwtape Letters in 1940. In this brilliant work, a senior demon named Screwtape mentors a younger devil named Wormwood on how to damn a human soul. What's striking is that Lewis reportedly found the book disturbingly easy to write—he could readily imagine how demons scheme to trip people up with the simplest of thoughts.
In one particularly insightful letter, Screwtape advises Wormwood not to waste time on philosophical arguments about materialism. Instead, he should make the man feel that materialism is "strong, clear, and useful—the philosophy of the future." The strategy? Keep him focused on what he can touch and feel, his immediate sensory experience, rather than "universal and eternal issues."
Screwtape recounts a close call where his human subject began thinking dangerous thoughts while reading in the British Museum. Just as the Enemy (God) was drawing near, Screwtape struck with a simple suggestion: "It's about time for lunch." The counter-suggestion that this matter was too important to tackle on an empty stomach sealed the deal.
Distraction. Simple, effective distraction.
Relationship Over Reason
The challenge we face is that reason alone isn't enough. Demons can quote Scripture and state theological truths. In the Gospels, demons correctly identified Jesus as the "Son of the Most High God" and the "Son of God." Satan himself quoted Psalm 91 when tempting Jesus in the wilderness. They had the facts right.
But only one confession stands out as truly transformative: Peter's declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). What made Peter's confession different? It emerged from relationship and fellowship, not mere intellectual assent.
Yet even Peter stumbled moments later. After Jesus began explaining that He must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him: "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." Jesus' response was swift and revealing: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man" (Matthew 16:22-23).
Peter's personal affection for Jesus—his very human desire to protect his friend and rabbi—was being used to interrupt Jesus' calling and destiny. Jesus didn't condemn Peter; He called out exactly what was happening behind the scenes.
The Practice of Presence
Consider Anna, the prophetess mentioned in Luke 2. Widowed after only seven years of marriage, she spent over sixty years in the temple "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day." By worldly standards, or even religious productivity metrics, she might seem unproductive or fanatical. But Anna understood something profound: the chief end of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
She lived like one who knew the gospel, even though she only knew it prophetically. And God's grace allowed her to see the promised Messiah before stepping into eternity.
When angels announced Jesus' birth, they proclaimed "glad tidings of great joy." The gospel isn't just propositional truth—it's something deeply personal that must be received relationally.
Taking Thoughts Captive
Two passages of Scripture work hand in hand to guide us through our distracted age:
"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Being transformed by renewing our minds and taking every thought captive aren't separate disciplines—they work together. This happens through fellowship with God, grounded in His Word.
But here's the critical distinction: it's not enough to merely quote Scripture when anxiety grips your heart. Instead, confess it to God relationally. Don't just recite what the Bible says about having a sound mind—tell God that He's promised you love and a sound mind, acknowledge that it's not your current experience, and then worship Him anyway. Establish what's true in relationship with the Lord.
The Spiritual Nature of Everything
We must recognize that distractions aren't neutral—they're spiritual. Every season of life presents unique opportunities for distraction. Some are overwhelmed with responsibilities and obligations. Others have few demands on their time and find their minds wandering toward boredom or entertainment.
When a lustful memory surfaces, you have choices: follow it down a destructive path, fall into self-condemnation, or take it captive. Submit it to God: "Lord, that's not who I am. I'm a new creation in Christ. I've been transformed by the renewing of my mind."
When anxious thoughts assault you, turn them into praise. If the battle is against spiritual forces, then every time a wicked thought intrudes, transform it into worship. Eventually, the enemy will realize it's not worth the effort.
The Call Forward
We live in tumultuous times, but God is doing amazing things. On university campuses, in the aftermath of tragedy, in the midst of confusion—young people are hungry for something real and tangible. They're searching for truth.
The universal call remains unchanged: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Treat distractions as the spiritual warfare they are. Make your entertainment purposeful. Ask the Lord how to spend your time rather than looking for ways to fill it.
God's grace is sufficient for all of it. Even His crumbs are so profound that we marvel. The question isn't whether we'll face distractions—we will. The question is whether we'll recognize them for what they are and turn every thought, every moment, every distraction into an opportunity to draw closer to the One who knows all things.
In an age of infinite information, the only path forward is intimate relationship with the God who is infinite wisdom.
To Watch Full Sermon "Distractions & Purpose" Click Here
This proliferation of information has created a peculiar problem: the only solution may be to actually know the One who knows it all.
The Screwtape Strategy
C.S. Lewis understood something profound about spiritual warfare when he wrote The Screwtape Letters in 1940. In this brilliant work, a senior demon named Screwtape mentors a younger devil named Wormwood on how to damn a human soul. What's striking is that Lewis reportedly found the book disturbingly easy to write—he could readily imagine how demons scheme to trip people up with the simplest of thoughts.
In one particularly insightful letter, Screwtape advises Wormwood not to waste time on philosophical arguments about materialism. Instead, he should make the man feel that materialism is "strong, clear, and useful—the philosophy of the future." The strategy? Keep him focused on what he can touch and feel, his immediate sensory experience, rather than "universal and eternal issues."
Screwtape recounts a close call where his human subject began thinking dangerous thoughts while reading in the British Museum. Just as the Enemy (God) was drawing near, Screwtape struck with a simple suggestion: "It's about time for lunch." The counter-suggestion that this matter was too important to tackle on an empty stomach sealed the deal.
Distraction. Simple, effective distraction.
Relationship Over Reason
The challenge we face is that reason alone isn't enough. Demons can quote Scripture and state theological truths. In the Gospels, demons correctly identified Jesus as the "Son of the Most High God" and the "Son of God." Satan himself quoted Psalm 91 when tempting Jesus in the wilderness. They had the facts right.
But only one confession stands out as truly transformative: Peter's declaration, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). What made Peter's confession different? It emerged from relationship and fellowship, not mere intellectual assent.
Yet even Peter stumbled moments later. After Jesus began explaining that He must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die, Peter took Him aside and rebuked Him: "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." Jesus' response was swift and revealing: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man" (Matthew 16:22-23).
Peter's personal affection for Jesus—his very human desire to protect his friend and rabbi—was being used to interrupt Jesus' calling and destiny. Jesus didn't condemn Peter; He called out exactly what was happening behind the scenes.
The Practice of Presence
Consider Anna, the prophetess mentioned in Luke 2. Widowed after only seven years of marriage, she spent over sixty years in the temple "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day." By worldly standards, or even religious productivity metrics, she might seem unproductive or fanatical. But Anna understood something profound: the chief end of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
She lived like one who knew the gospel, even though she only knew it prophetically. And God's grace allowed her to see the promised Messiah before stepping into eternity.
When angels announced Jesus' birth, they proclaimed "glad tidings of great joy." The gospel isn't just propositional truth—it's something deeply personal that must be received relationally.
Taking Thoughts Captive
Two passages of Scripture work hand in hand to guide us through our distracted age:
"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2).
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Being transformed by renewing our minds and taking every thought captive aren't separate disciplines—they work together. This happens through fellowship with God, grounded in His Word.
But here's the critical distinction: it's not enough to merely quote Scripture when anxiety grips your heart. Instead, confess it to God relationally. Don't just recite what the Bible says about having a sound mind—tell God that He's promised you love and a sound mind, acknowledge that it's not your current experience, and then worship Him anyway. Establish what's true in relationship with the Lord.
The Spiritual Nature of Everything
We must recognize that distractions aren't neutral—they're spiritual. Every season of life presents unique opportunities for distraction. Some are overwhelmed with responsibilities and obligations. Others have few demands on their time and find their minds wandering toward boredom or entertainment.
When a lustful memory surfaces, you have choices: follow it down a destructive path, fall into self-condemnation, or take it captive. Submit it to God: "Lord, that's not who I am. I'm a new creation in Christ. I've been transformed by the renewing of my mind."
When anxious thoughts assault you, turn them into praise. If the battle is against spiritual forces, then every time a wicked thought intrudes, transform it into worship. Eventually, the enemy will realize it's not worth the effort.
The Call Forward
We live in tumultuous times, but God is doing amazing things. On university campuses, in the aftermath of tragedy, in the midst of confusion—young people are hungry for something real and tangible. They're searching for truth.
The universal call remains unchanged: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Treat distractions as the spiritual warfare they are. Make your entertainment purposeful. Ask the Lord how to spend your time rather than looking for ways to fill it.
God's grace is sufficient for all of it. Even His crumbs are so profound that we marvel. The question isn't whether we'll face distractions—we will. The question is whether we'll recognize them for what they are and turn every thought, every moment, every distraction into an opportunity to draw closer to the One who knows all things.
In an age of infinite information, the only path forward is intimate relationship with the God who is infinite wisdom.
To Watch Full Sermon "Distractions & Purpose" Click Here
Posted in Armor Of God, Purpose, Rooted, Spiritual Warfare, Wisdom
Posted in Distractions & Purpose, Battle belongs to God, Finding Christ, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Purpose
Posted in Distractions & Purpose, Battle belongs to God, Finding Christ, Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Purpose
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