> General Discussions
Easily Distracted
Samson:
--- Quote from: hillsbororiver on March 21, 2008, 07:18:26 AM ---As I was rereading through LOF Part 7 this morning a certain portion of it jumped right out at me;
THE DEVIL MAKES MAN MINDFUL OF PHYSICAL THINGS
The devil has always been mindful of physical, literal, material things. That’s what Satan "dines" on—
"…DUST [of man] shall you eat all the days of your life" (Gen. 3:14).
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour [Greek: ‘swallow up’]" (I Pet. 5:8).
Yes, the Adversary eats "dust" and we, mankind, ARE "dust" of the ground. Satan does not feast on spiritual food—it would choke him! Satan dines on the carnal [flesh/meat] mind of men. While Jesus was physically starving for forty days, He was feasting on spiritual food from heaven! Satan thought he could trick Jesus into satisfying His need for physical FOOD before He was finished dining on spiritual food with His Father!
"Then was Jesus led up of THE SPIRIT into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered" […and so was STARVING, The Four Gospels By C.H. Rieu].
And when the tempter came to Him, he said, If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made BREAD" (Matt. 4:1-3).
Satan should have realized that one doesn’t tempt a Spiritual Giant with a loaf of physical bread.
http://bible-truths.com/lake7.html
I know that most of us can relate to being too easily distracted and taken off course (or stumbling off of the path) in our personal journeys with our Lord. Sometimes they are powerful temptations from our old ways that seem to come out of nowhere, things we had thought (or is it hoped) we had left behind but here we are staring at our old man face to face.
Other times it is just something relatively minor, irritating drivers on the road, a stupid comment from family, friend or coworker (or another brother or sister in the Lord), a lack of acknowledgement when we feel we deserve credit or accolades for something we believe we have done very well or even over and above what was expected.
All of these things (and more) can lead to a carnal downward spiral that leaves us frustrated, ashamed and quite honestly sick of our natural selves, the amazing thing is this is exactly how God is working in us, taking us to the point that our natural tendencies begin to irritate and eventually disgust us to the point we hate even entertaining those thoughts and/or temptations.
Lord I pray, bring that day here soon!
In the mean time Satan is using every trick in his bag and attacking us from places we sometimes least expect it and at other times presenting a panoramic mental power point presentation glorifying the old carnal fleshly desires. Once we begin recognizing the pattern(s) of how even a small stumble can start the whole downward spiral and we seek spiritual nourishment and strength through His Word and Spirit we are following the example of our Lord in how He was able to overcome the devil and then we will see more and more victories as we make our way on this incredible journey.
His Peace to you,
Joe
--- End quote ---
Great Post Joe,
Especially the part about the relatively minor things, Satan uses, at his disposal. In my case, whenever I'm especially tired(physically, mentally or emotionally), it seems that I'm a more likely target for Satan to test. All of a sudden something that I would hope wouldn't happen, at the most inconvenient time presents itself. It reminds me of Jesus in the Wilderness for forty days and forty nights, tired, hungry, thirsty and guess who shows up to twist and misuse Scripture, our adversary. Whenever I'm especially tired, I tend to proceed with caution, based on my past experiences, making an attempt to keep my mouth shut, when in doubt, so as not to dig myself deeper and make matters worse. All of this training and disipline is for our benefit. For me with strangers, it's much easier to avoid sinning with the mouth and succumbing to the pressure provided, with loved ones and friends, the difficulty increases. Some of us tend to be more sensitive to the unkind remarks and actions from those closest to us(myself included), their lies the danger of turning a relatively minor event and adding unnecessary grief to the situation, thats usually the case with our Marriage Mate, at least for me.
So thankyou very much for this Post, it's very informative and enlightening, also thanks to those that contributed their responses too.
Your Brother in Christ, Samson.
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: Arcturus on March 21, 2008, 01:22:20 PM ---
Distraction is one thing but what about those times of stillness or when you feel hemed in. Even times of a sense of inner paralysis to the sensitive voice and breeze of the Spirit. Those times of being deaf and blind are so distracting! That numb feeling! What is it? Why is it? It feels like a deadness absent of pride or ambition. It is like resignation that comes after all energy is spent. Like submission when all resistence has been exerted. Like Okay, You are God and I am clay. Now what? :)
--- End quote ---
Hi Arc,
I am very familiar with this "paralysis" you speak of, early on I would be frightened or very disheartened when this came upon me but now I know it is a test of faith. What are we to do when we experience this? Give up? Curse God?
Wait on Him to deliver us, learn patience through adversity and from the very fact that we cannot force His hand or direct our own progression we really have no choice in the matter, we either learn to accept these trials in faith of His promises or we venture off the path and run toward the wide road to destruction.
His Peace to you Sister,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: Samson on March 21, 2008, 01:39:24 PM ---
Great Post Joe,
Especially the part about the relatively minor things, Satan uses, at his disposal. In my case, whenever I'm especially tired(physically, mentally or emotionally), it seems that I'm a more likely target for Satan to test. All of a sudden something that I would hope wouldn't happen, at the most inconvenient time presents itself.
--- End quote ---
Hi Samson,
This is so true, the most difficult temptations do come when we are most vulnerable, in addition to what you listed above I myself also find it to be when we get a sense of complacency or that we "have arrived."
Actually it surprises me a little that more discussion does not take place here in regard to that insidious beast within all of us, to me it was a very serious Eureka! moment; "you mean the beast isn't out there somewhere, I am him?!!!"
It would be very interesting to hear what others have felt when being convicted of this spiritual truth.
Thank you for your honest and open response Brother.
His Peace to you,
Joe
rk12201960:
Hi Joe and all,
I used to think this world was measured as to what we have or do.
Then God opened my eyes after finding this site, True I had basic understanding of God and Jesus (Jehovah)
but I thought because I wasn't as good or what ever as others I was looked down by God because man I wasn't blessed as I thought blessings were issued.
I felt like a dud yes even a loser, then like I said God lead me here to BT and things just seemed to fit into place.
Emotion's still get in the way but what I've come to learn is this, This is school, a learning place for His elect.
would God devote so much for so few people? Right now yes this is the case.
Now when things happen I just try to find what God is teaching me and try to get a handle on it so I don't have to play in the lions den to long.
Its all about learning and asking for Jehovahs direction.
I know its hard to do but getting saved is the hardiest thing we'll ever do.
Stand fast brothers and sisters as it God who directs your steps.
Lead us not into temptation (unless I need to learn from it] but deliver us from evil.
Peace and mercy.
Randy
;D 8) ;D
Samson:
This is so true, the most difficult temptations do come when we are most vulnerable, in addition to what you listed above I myself also find it to be when we get a sense of complacency or that we "have arrived."
Hello Joe,
I like your above point from your last post, " We have arrived ", it reminded me of the Scripture, " Let he who thinks he is standing, beware that he does not fall " I remember many years ago going through a stage like that, being complacent and believing I'd arrived, spiritually speaking, Satan sifted me as wheat and quickly esposed my flaws and I was humbled, now I try to stay low-keyed about thinking " I've arrived ", I still have alot to learn, many at this Site have much more insight than I have regarding Scriptural presentation and knowledge, thats one of the reasons I'm so glad to be here, theirs no better place to learn and develop Spiritually.
Your Brother, Samson.
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