1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:05,200 There is something far more dangerous than getting off track. 2 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,680 It is thinking you are still on it. 3 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:13,360 There is something far more dangerous than missing the mark. 4 00:00:13,360 --> 00:00:15,840 It is thinking you've hit it. 5 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:21,200 There's something far more dangerous than being distracted - 6 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:26,280 not seeing it, not realising. 7 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:35,720 Grace and peace to you all, wonderful children of God. 8 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:40,840 You are welcome once again to another Interactive Prayer Service 9 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,560 here at the God’s Heart TV Studio. 10 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:52,600 People of God, let us begin this message with a moment of prayer. 11 00:00:52,600 --> 00:00:55,720 Join me in prayer right now. 12 00:00:55,720 --> 00:01:12,560 Oh Holy Spirit, let Your light shine in our hearts and minds 13 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:17,800 that we may understand Your Word, 14 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:22,880 that we may abide in Your Word, 15 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:34,360 that we may apply the truth of Your Word in our daily lives. 16 00:01:34,360 --> 00:01:40,720 In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. 17 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:45,160 And the children of God said, “Amen!” 18 00:01:45,160 --> 00:01:51,000 I want to start this message with a very serious statement. 19 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,000 We're going to jump straight into the Word! 20 00:01:53,000 --> 00:01:55,200 Think about this statement, people of God. 21 00:01:55,200 --> 00:02:08,760 Right now, there is a spiritual battle being waged for your attention. 22 00:02:08,760 --> 00:02:22,840 As Christians, we should not be ignorant of the devil's influences (2 Corinthians 2:11). 23 00:02:22,840 --> 00:02:28,480 We should not claim ignorance of the devil's devices. 24 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:38,920 There is a spiritual battle ongoing for your attention. 25 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:49,400 Because you are what you give your attention to. 26 00:02:49,400 --> 00:02:55,160 Now, when I say there's a spiritual battle going on, 27 00:02:55,160 --> 00:02:59,040 some of you are looking at me and saying, ‘What do you mean, Brother Chris? 28 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:02,800 What do you mean there's a battle taking place?’ 29 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,360 Well, the heart is always busy. 30 00:03:05,360 --> 00:03:08,880 The question is, what are we busy with? 31 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:11,360 Think about this. 32 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:24,040 Think about how easy it is for you to give your time 33 00:03:24,040 --> 00:03:32,960 to things that have no eternal significance. 34 00:03:32,960 --> 00:03:40,600 This is an opportunity to reflect on your life. 35 00:03:40,600 --> 00:03:53,440 Think about how easy it is to waste our time 36 00:03:53,440 --> 00:04:00,560 on things that have no lasting value and significance. 37 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:07,960 It's far easier to find worldly distraction than godly direction. 38 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:16,080 It's far easier to be entertained than to be edified. 39 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:23,080 If you're wondering whether or not there's a spiritual battle taking place, just check yourself. 40 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:25,600 Think about how easy it is - 41 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:29,440 if you pick up your phone and want to check something for a few minutes, 42 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:32,800 if care is not taken, it can become hours. 43 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:40,760 It's a spiritual battle. 44 00:04:40,760 --> 00:04:43,360 Check your own life as a Christian. 45 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:51,040 If you don't create time for your devotion, you will surely find time for distraction. 46 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:55,200 To read the Word of God, or let me say - to study the Word of God... 47 00:04:55,200 --> 00:04:58,680 Because God's Word is not meant to merely be read. 48 00:04:58,680 --> 00:05:05,000 It is meant to be studied - with full attention, with all of our hearts. 49 00:05:05,000 --> 00:05:14,480 When you want to pick up your Bible and read, many things try to discourage you, 50 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:23,400 try to sidetrack you - try to take your time, your mind, your attention away. 51 00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:34,360 Even to join this Interactive Prayer Service - if you don’t mean it, you will miss it. 52 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:40,360 If you are not determined, you will get distracted. 53 00:05:40,360 --> 00:05:49,920 There's a spiritual battle going on for your attention, 54 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:54,560 and the prize is your affection. 55 00:05:54,560 --> 00:06:03,040 Because where attention goes, affection tends to follow. 56 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:09,160 People of God, I want you to think about what I'm saying right now. 57 00:06:09,160 --> 00:06:12,600 This is a serious message. 58 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:20,120 The reality of this spiritual warfare is not a reason to be fearful. 59 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:29,360 It's a reason to be watchful. Watch and pray. Why? 60 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:34,640 Because as a child of God, 61 00:06:34,640 --> 00:06:47,240 the devil holds no sway over your life unless he finds a way into your heart. 62 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:54,760 For him to deceive us into sin, he will first distract us. 63 00:06:54,760 --> 00:07:05,440 Because distraction dulls our conscience from danger. 64 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:15,000 Distraction makes you insensitive to intrusion. 65 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:26,320 And when your guards are lowered, the intruder can become an insider. 66 00:07:26,320 --> 00:07:30,720 Let me give you an example. 67 00:07:30,720 --> 00:07:41,960 As Christians, we know that God has sent His Holy Spirit 68 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:50,040 to open our eyes to see how wrong our sins are, 69 00:07:50,040 --> 00:08:00,360 to convict us when we sin but also to warn us before we sin. 70 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:13,920 Many believers today - their conscience only strikes with conviction after they have sinned, 71 00:08:13,920 --> 00:08:19,600 instead of their conscience striking with warning before they sin. 72 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:31,760 Because we are too easily distracted and not consistently connected. 73 00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:43,480 When you knowingly give your heart to distraction, 74 00:08:43,480 --> 00:08:57,680 then you willingly start the path towards destruction. 75 00:08:57,680 --> 00:09:03,640 This is the message I want to talk about today, people of God: 76 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:08,920 “The Trap Of Distraction.” 77 00:09:08,920 --> 00:09:16,880 Be careful of the trap of distraction. 78 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:24,840 Turn with me to a Scripture in the New Testament in 1 John 2. 79 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:31,960 Look, we're in a world where there is no shortage of distractions. 80 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:37,800 We're living in a world where there is no shortage of temptations. 81 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:47,880 We are in the world - but how do we live in this world without this world living in us? 82 00:09:47,880 --> 00:09:58,200 The answers are in the Word of God - 1 John 2:15-17. It says this, 83 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:04,560 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. 84 00:10:04,560 --> 00:10:10,480 If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 85 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:20,680 For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - 86 00:10:20,680 --> 00:10:40,440 is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away...” 87 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:50,160 Don't get too comfortable in a danger zone which is not your home. 88 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:58,120 “...the world is passing away, and the lust of it...” 89 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:11,360 There are many today who are busy building mansions in a market - 90 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:18,520 a place that is passing away, fading away. 91 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:27,080 No matter how long you live there, you will one day leave there. 92 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:35,440 Whether this world is laughing with you or laughing at you, 93 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:40,400 one thing is clear - we do not belong here. 94 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:45,560 Don't get too comfortable in a danger zone. 95 00:11:45,560 --> 00:11:49,360 Let me finish that Scripture - 1 John 2:17. 96 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:56,800 “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; 97 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:05,080 but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 98 00:12:05,080 --> 00:12:07,600 Thank You, Jesus. 99 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:09,920 Remember what I said. 100 00:12:09,920 --> 00:12:16,880 The prize of that spiritual war is not simply your attention - it is your affection. 101 00:12:16,880 --> 00:12:28,440 The devil wants to take your love from God and transfer it to the things of this world - 102 00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:36,880 the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life. 103 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:44,000 The devil uses what attracts us to distract us. 104 00:12:44,000 --> 00:12:46,320 The lust of the flesh - what you see. 105 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:53,480 The lust of the eyes - ‘I see this, I want it. I see this, I must have it. 106 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:57,640 I look at this - I want to taste it.’ 107 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:08,360 He wants to shift your focus from what is unseen to what is seen. 108 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:15,240 This is a trap - the trap of distraction. 109 00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:26,560 Now, children of God, let me describe a scenario to try and illustrate what I mean 110 00:13:26,560 --> 00:13:29,520 by the danger of this distraction. 111 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:42,640 Just imagine there is a ship sailing in a vast ocean and it's heading clearly in one direction. 112 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:44,320 This is the path. 113 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:45,920 This is the course. 114 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:50,080 This is the way it is going. 115 00:13:50,080 --> 00:14:04,920 But suddenly there is a gentle breeze that subtly shifts the direction of that ship. 116 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:12,240 Instead of going straight, it’s shifted off course. 117 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:21,480 And if care is not taken, the captain may not even know he has gone off track. 118 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:26,280 I don't know if you understand this illustration, children of God. 119 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:31,320 There is something far more dangerous than getting off track. 120 00:14:31,320 --> 00:14:34,800 It is thinking you are still on it. 121 00:14:34,800 --> 00:14:39,480 There is something far more dangerous than missing the mark. 122 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:41,960 It is thinking you've hit it. 123 00:14:41,960 --> 00:14:47,320 There's something far more dangerous than being distracted - 124 00:14:47,320 --> 00:14:53,280 not seeing it, not realising. 125 00:14:53,280 --> 00:15:00,320 If you don't know that you're going astray, 126 00:15:00,320 --> 00:15:09,520 you will not know the part to play to get back on the right way. 127 00:15:09,520 --> 00:15:18,400 The trap of distraction. 128 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:26,920 As you're listening to this sermon right now, I want you to look at your own life. 129 00:15:26,920 --> 00:15:37,160 To avoid this entanglement in this web of distraction woven by the devil, 130 00:15:37,160 --> 00:15:40,800 we must identify his tactics. 131 00:15:40,800 --> 00:15:46,360 Look at your life. Examine yourself. 132 00:15:46,360 --> 00:15:52,640 Recognise what are the sources of distraction in your own life. 133 00:15:52,640 --> 00:15:57,560 Take a moment and think about that right now. 134 00:15:57,560 --> 00:16:06,080 No one knows you better than you know yourself. 135 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:19,400 What is it that is a source of distraction in your Christian journey? 136 00:16:19,400 --> 00:16:29,880 I know there are so many areas your heart may be highlighting at this point. 137 00:16:29,880 --> 00:16:37,960 But I just want to give everyone a very practical word of advice. 138 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:49,560 People of God - before checking your phone, check your heart. 139 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:54,240 I said this is a very practical word of advice. 140 00:16:54,240 --> 00:17:00,360 Before checking your phone, check your heart. 141 00:17:00,360 --> 00:17:04,800 Because if you pick up your phone without a purpose, 142 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:11,200 rather than you using it, it may end up using you. 143 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:18,360 For many of us connected at this moment, 144 00:17:18,360 --> 00:17:25,600 the source of our distraction is right now in our pockets. 145 00:17:25,600 --> 00:17:32,880 Many people fall into the trap of distraction because 146 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:36,800 they pick up their phone without a clear purpose. 147 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:41,200 And before you know it, something that you look at for a few minutes 148 00:17:41,200 --> 00:17:46,400 can turn into a few hours. 149 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:53,920 When it comes to meaningful activities, you must mean it. 150 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:58,480 When it comes to meaningless or mindless activities, 151 00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:02,920 you will find the time for it and you will waste the time on it. 152 00:18:02,920 --> 00:18:06,760 This is the case of many people today. 153 00:18:06,760 --> 00:18:11,320 We are falling into the trap of distraction 154 00:18:11,320 --> 00:18:21,040 and we're trading our attention for the sake of temporal enjoyment. 155 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:27,400 In today's generation, in this world that we’re living in today, 156 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:33,880 where there's so much connectivity, 24/7 streams of information available - 157 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:39,040 many of us, the source of our distraction is in our pockets. 158 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:43,400 Look, many of us, when you wake up in the morning, 159 00:18:43,400 --> 00:18:47,640 you greet your phone before you greet God. 160 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:53,000 Even when you are going to go to the toilet, you first take your phone. 161 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:57,200 You are using your phone in the toilet. 162 00:18:57,200 --> 00:18:58,600 Can I give you an advice? 163 00:18:58,600 --> 00:19:06,720 When you go to the toilet, you are sitting down - before checking your phone, check your heart. 164 00:19:06,720 --> 00:19:09,120 Is your heart right with God? 165 00:19:09,120 --> 00:19:11,320 Is there an issue you need to settle? 166 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:14,480 Is there someone you need to reconcile with? 167 00:19:14,480 --> 00:19:16,800 Is your focus in the right place? 168 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:19,280 Don't just bring out your phone. 169 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:22,560 Before you check the news, check your heart. 170 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:30,080 Before you examine your social media feed, examine your heart - 171 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:33,880 to avoid the trap of distraction. 172 00:19:33,880 --> 00:19:37,360 When you wake up in the morning, 173 00:19:37,360 --> 00:19:44,080 we should greet God first before anyone or anything else. 174 00:19:44,080 --> 00:19:49,680 Get down on your knees and say, “Thank You, Jesus, for a new day” 175 00:19:49,680 --> 00:19:55,120 before you open your phone and check for messages or what someone has sent to you. 176 00:19:55,120 --> 00:20:02,320 Greet God before your phone. 177 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:11,080 This is just a practical word of advice in the light of this message. 178 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:16,200 People of God, let me be clear. I'm not here to demonise your phone. 179 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:20,760 I'm not saying you can't watch things on your phone. 180 00:20:20,760 --> 00:20:23,000 Let's be real, people of God. 181 00:20:23,000 --> 00:20:29,480 When it comes to recreation, you are relaxed and want to look at something - 182 00:20:29,480 --> 00:20:34,600 don't simply look for something entertaining; look for something edifying. 183 00:20:34,600 --> 00:20:39,960 Because the devil does not recognise your relaxation. 184 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:46,040 Satan is ready 24/7 to strike. 185 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:53,520 He's looking for an opportunity to deceive and enter your heart. 186 00:20:53,520 --> 00:20:58,200 Your time off is his time on. 187 00:20:58,200 --> 00:21:02,440 Some of us deceive ourselves. We say, ‘Okay, I will just look for a little bit. 188 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:12,200 In ten minutes, I will finish. By 8pm, I will stop.’ You put a time. 189 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:17,760 You don't employ self-control to manage distraction. 190 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:22,600 You employ self-control to avoid distraction. 191 00:21:22,600 --> 00:21:25,560 ‘I will just look at this for five more minutes.’ 192 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:29,240 If care is not taken, it will become hours. 193 00:21:29,240 --> 00:21:31,560 ‘I will stop doing this by 8pm.’ 194 00:21:31,560 --> 00:21:38,040 Look, if you set a time for doing what is right, you set yourself up for doing what is wrong. 195 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:53,000 Because you are always only one decision away from distraction. 196 00:21:53,000 --> 00:22:01,560 Can I also say something very direct, people of God? Please, be careful. 197 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:12,840 Isolation often amplifies temptation because lust feeds on loneliness. 198 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:23,600 When you are alone, the voice of temptation often becomes louder. 199 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:30,840 But when you think no one is watching you, 200 00:22:30,840 --> 00:22:44,760 remember the One who never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121). 201 00:22:44,760 --> 00:22:50,680 There is no secret that can be kept from God's Spirit. 202 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:59,440 There is nothing hidden from His sight. 203 00:22:59,440 --> 00:23:07,680 The concept of secret sin, hidden sin exists only in your mind 204 00:23:07,680 --> 00:23:10,480 as a mechanism of justification. 205 00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:15,800 Because what happens in the dark will eventually come to the light. 206 00:23:15,800 --> 00:23:22,360 If you don't deal with it, it will one day deal with you. 207 00:23:22,360 --> 00:23:27,320 This is not a message of condemnation. No! 208 00:23:27,320 --> 00:23:37,680 As I said to you, the reality of this spiritual battle is not a reason to be afraid. 209 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:43,320 It's a reason to be alert, to watch and pray. 210 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:48,640 Because you are always one decision away from distraction. 211 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:53,720 Watch and pray. 212 00:23:53,720 --> 00:23:55,560 This is the way out. 213 00:23:55,560 --> 00:24:00,400 You hear this message and say, ‘But there's so many things capable of distracting me. 214 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:05,680 There's so many issues that life brings. There's so many things that are 215 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:09,080 present in this world, in this generation around me 216 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:12,640 that can easily take my focus and time away from God, 217 00:24:12,640 --> 00:24:16,920 away from what I’m meant to be doing. What’s the way out?’ 218 00:24:16,920 --> 00:24:22,840 Let me encourage you today. 219 00:24:22,840 --> 00:24:25,480 Yes, we are weak. 220 00:24:25,480 --> 00:24:30,040 Yes, we're living in a world with a lot of distraction. 221 00:24:30,040 --> 00:24:40,720 Therefore, you must consciously surround yourself with things that remind you of God 222 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:50,040 and intentionally invest daily time with Him. 223 00:24:50,040 --> 00:25:00,360 The best defence against distraction is godly habits. 224 00:25:00,360 --> 00:25:05,560 Because when you take the Word of God into your heart, 225 00:25:05,560 --> 00:25:12,280 the light of His Word shines in your heart, 226 00:25:12,280 --> 00:25:16,560 and opens your eyes to see where you have gone astray, 227 00:25:16,560 --> 00:25:21,360 where you have missed the mark, enabling you to get back on track. 228 00:25:21,360 --> 00:25:25,880 Yes, we can be distracted. 229 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:28,920 Yes, we will be distracted. 230 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:33,760 But how quick are we to realise and get back on track? 231 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:42,720 To get back on track, we need to dedicate ourselves to the Word of God. 232 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:47,560 There's no other secret shortcut to get back on track with God. 233 00:25:47,560 --> 00:25:59,760 As you read His Word, study His Word with devotion, you see yourself clearly. 234 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:03,280 You see life clearly. 235 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:10,000 You can identify - ‘Oh, this was the tactic the devil used to distract me. 236 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:16,000 Oh, this was the weapon the devil used to shift my focus.’ 237 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:22,640 You realise it. You recognise it. You repent from it. You get back on track with God. 238 00:26:22,640 --> 00:26:24,200 That's the way out. 239 00:26:24,200 --> 00:26:27,720 Yes, there will be distractions. 240 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:32,320 But please, people of God, take this message seriously. 241 00:26:32,320 --> 00:26:39,040 We can't claim ignorance of the devil's influence. 242 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:50,040 There is a spiritual battle being waged for your attention. 243 00:26:50,040 --> 00:27:04,120 And if you don't engage your heart with God, the world will engage it. 244 00:27:04,120 --> 00:27:10,120 As I bring this message to a conclusion, 245 00:27:10,120 --> 00:27:25,080 I want to read a profound word of wisdom from the Proverbs - Proverbs 4:20-27. 246 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:28,360 Ponder on these words. 247 00:27:28,360 --> 00:27:36,600 The answer to distraction lies within the truth of God's Word. 248 00:27:36,600 --> 00:27:49,400 “My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 249 00:27:49,400 --> 00:27:59,840 Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; 250 00:27:59,840 --> 00:28:08,960 for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 251 00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:18,760 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. 252 00:28:18,760 --> 00:28:27,560 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. 253 00:28:27,560 --> 00:28:40,120 Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. 254 00:28:40,120 --> 00:28:50,320 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 255 00:28:50,320 --> 00:29:12,280 Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” 256 00:29:12,280 --> 00:29:22,320 May God bless His Word in the midst of our hearts 257 00:29:22,320 --> 00:29:30,960 as we stay alert to avoid the trap of distraction 258 00:29:30,960 --> 00:29:37,640 whilst navigating this wicked world. 259 00:29:37,640 --> 00:29:45,240 In Jesus’ mighty name we pray. Amen!