In our daily walk with Christ things in our peripheral vision can distract us.   We may think we are focusing on Jesus but we aren’t.  The adversary likes to dress up like Jesus, mimicking Him to confuse us.   Then we are focusing on a counterfeit, the adversary.  When these other images have our attention, we lose our way leading us to sin, which is never God’s plan for our lives.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

Why would the adversary want to masquerade as an angel of light?  His motive is clear in next verse.

1 Peter 5:8  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

From the adversary  we will hear things that sound good but are not the best.  God does not want us to settle for what sounds good at the moment, God wants the best for us.

Philippians 1:9-11 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Having the best does not mean we can be greedy, the best will not mean the most expensive.  Lust starts with our eyes, we lust after power, possessions, or person.

Matthew 8:27-29 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

When God is talking about self-mutilation He should have our attention.  He does not want us to be recognized as a Christian because we have gouged out an eye, He wants us to realize the danger of what we are doing.

Jesus kept His focus by seeking the Father.  His example of solitude is something we should follow.

Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

God will lift us up and help us to maintain our focus when we spend more time with Him.

Written and posted by Joyce E Poggensee

Verses referenced:  2 Corinthians 11:14, 1 Peter 5:8,  Philippians 1:9-11, Matthew 8:27-29,   Matthew 26:39