Fatal Distractions

There is so much going on in the world around us that it is easy for us to become distracted from keeping our focus on Christ and spiritual things. And our vision slips away from us when we turn to glance at the things of the world.

If you have ever read the first of C. S. Lewis SCREWTAPE LETTERS, you will recall that it pictures an atheist man sitting in a library. He had never thought of God until now. Somehow, as he sat there reading and contemplating and reflecting, his thoughts begin to bend toward God. Satan who writes this little letter senses the warning lights flashing. After all, he has kept the man an atheist for 22 years already and he is not about to let him go now. How should he intervene? How should he derail the man's dangerous thoughts?

After careful consideration, Satan decides to distract the man from his thoughts. He whispers to him, "aren't you hungry? Don't you think you could sort it all out better after lunch? Satan encourages the man to go out into the street and look for a restaurant. Out in the street are many sounds that distract the man and the sense of God's presence is gone. The vision loses its power and the man muddles on in his atheistic mire.

The truth of this little story comes home to us, doesn't it? Every man has his weak points in the fortress of his nature and character and no man is more susceptible to the tricks of Satan than when he is at his weakest point. Scripture advises us; "Let him who thinks he stands beware, lest he fall." Satan knows our weakness infinitely better than we do. And it is through our weaknesses that he makes his assaults.

The Evil One distracts us from the path of righteousness; the narrow road leading to eternal life with our Father. It is fatal distractions. We get distracted by the lights and glimmer and attractions. We get twisted by the tedium and the day-to-day demands. We lose sight of the vision of Christ in our lives and risk losing our very souls which of course, is Satan's greatest desire.

But James tells us to "resist the devil and he will flee." Paul said, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's scheme." Any place in our nature that is unguarded is a feasting ground for Satan and all who has turned their focus from Christ is unsafe.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.

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