Introduction
In this world, it is easy for believers to drift from their core mandate. This owns to the fact that sins are glamorized and they are consistently and systematically presented to believers as attractive or goodies. These capture the attention of believers and prevent them from focusing on Christ Jesus and His teachings.
Attractive Distractions
Excessive and uncontrolled lust is one of the enemies of believers because by it they fall. James teaches believers to be watchful of lust. He warns that
let no man say when he is tempted, he is tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil. He adds that every person is tempted, when he is drawn away of his or her own lust, and enticed. And when lust is conceived, its result is the sin, and sin, when it is completed, results in death (Jas 1:13-15).
Apostle John also cautions believers against worldly lust. He explains that lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride of life are all that are found in the world and its people, but lustful life does not come from God the father but the devil (1Jn 2:16-17). A life that is controlled by lust such as adultery or sexual immorality, is uncharacteristic of believers. Therefore, adhering to the control of worldly lust is an enmity to God (Jas 4:4).
Programs presented to our homes through television sets and other media channels, arouse and nurture unwanted lusts in the lives of the children of God. Such programs are made to be attractive to the senses of men so that they could be enticed and lured into unwholesome practices.
Overcoming Attractive Distractions
It needs to be said and understood that the world would pass away with its lust but he that does the will of God abides forever (1Jn 2:16-17). This knowledge should move all people with fear and owe to strive to overcome lustful desires.
All humans have the natural inclination to walk in the lust of the flesh and fulfill its desires (Eph 2:3). According to scriptures, the primary action required on the part of the believer to overcome lustful desire is to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:16). This means that Christians must live daily by the teachings of Christ and under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Job did something more practical to remain justified before God. He said that he made a covenant with his eyes; that he would not look lustfully at a young woman (Job 31:1). Believers must learn from Job and discipline the members of their bodies, and not yield them as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin. But they are encouraged to yield themselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and their members as instruments of righteousness unto God (Rom 6:13).
Paul also informs us that he was able to avoid attractive distractions and worldly lust by keeping his body and bringing it into subjection. This was done so that after he had preached to others, he himself would not be disqualified (1Co 9:27). Self-discipline is necessary for avoiding distractions. There is the need to restrict the body and bring its members under control so that it does not get what it demands.
Furthermore, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2Ti 2:4). Christians ought to remain focused on their mission and calling. It is so easy to be engulfed in the affairs of this life but with determination to live right, and with God´s help, we shall overcome.
Conclusion
God desires that believers excel in every area of their lives. In Christ Jesus, this is realizable if we maintain our focus on Christ and consistently avoid attractive distractions. It behooves believers to ignore all evil lusts and serve God with owe. Christ must be made the center of their lives and seek to please God all the days of their lives.
Prayer: May the Lord God empower us all and help us to maintain our focus on God in this evil world. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!