People are easily distracted, often with dangerous outcomes. It is now against the law to drive and text as texting takes priority from driving and attention away from your responsibilities to those around you. Distraction by the world’s attractions also is very dangerous. There are no innocent distractions in God’s plan for true believers.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
What distracts you? Here are just a few alarming statistics.
Sports is everywhere and for every age and sex. It is promoted at grade schools and churches. It is even called a Sports Ministry. It is a $74.5 Billion a year industry.
Pets have now gained status as having rights. Owners have responsibilities to their pets. Pets have legal rights. People spend $75.4 Billion per year on their pets. Dogs are at the top of the list. In Jesus’ day, dogs were not pets, they were scavengers.
Entertainment is a very diverse subject. We will just review the main elements: Films, TV, Music, and Publishing. This industry is over $2 Trillion a year.
Video games are a segment of entertainment. But due to the intense sexual and demonic nature of most, we will highlight them separately.
While people spend nearly $140 Billion a year in the US, that is not the real cost of these games. Core gamers are those who are the lifeblood of the industry and average 22 hours a week in their form of entertainment. But, it is not a victimless, non-violent pursuit. A few statistics that may shock you.
The true issue might not be the hours spent playing video games but how the play interferes in someone’s life. Gaming can have a negative impact on those engaged in the activity
Poor school/work performance
Relationship difficulties
Social isolation
Sleep deprivation
Hopelessness
Depression
Suicidal thoughts
Poor health (dehydration, lack of nutrition)
Obesity
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from prolonged sitting
This is not the complete list of Satan’s distractions but it proves the point.
How many wasted hours do these pursuits drain from your life?
How much closer to God are you due to these distractions?
How little do you even think about them as ploys of Satan to draw you away from God?