Focus

You’ve probably heard of the three G’s: Gold (riches), Glory (pride), and Girls (or Guys). These are the three things that tend to distract from God more than anything else. There are many other things, but these come back time and time again. Fortunately, the only trick to not being distracted is staying focused. Unfortunately…well how the heck are we supposed to do that?

We all have something we’re struggling with. Maybe it’s lust or porn, maybe it’s wealth or fashion, or maybe it’s pride or recognition. It doesn’t matter so much your distraction, because our focus is changed in the same way:

Commit to your focus, recognize your distraction, make a choice for purity, remove temptation, and enjoy a right focus.

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman." (Job 31:1 NIV)

It is good to know where your focus should not be. The first step of getting your focus right is committing to do so. “I will not lust after gold, glory, guys or gals” can be a powerful statement. One that the devil will not be too happy to hear you say out loud. A fair question to ask, though, is, why not? Even if you don’t have the full answer to that now, obedience to God’s word is enough. Your elders can provide you more reasons if you really need them.

"Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion." (Proverbs 11:22 NIV)

You can probably see why this is one of my favorite proverbs and one that I teach all of my middle and high school students. A gold ring is beautiful and costly. A ring in the snout is how they used to control pigs, oxen, and other livestock- tying a rope to it and leading them about. You may think you’re pursuing something beautiful, but that beautiful thing is pulling you around like a dirty, smelly, dishonorable animal. It is in control of you, leading you to slop and slaughter.

"The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless." (Proverbs 11:20 NIV)

If people could see what was in each other’s hearts, it’s likely no one would ever have any friends. God knows our thought and our intent. When we do not dwell on a corrupt thought, despite temptation, God is pleased. When we do not let pleasure or selfish gain direct our intent, God is pleased. It’s amazing to me how easy it is to please God, sometimes. Basically, just don’t be mute, mindless mules (there’s a more common phrase for this). You have a choice and you know what it is. Make a good one.

"And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell." (Matthew 18:9 NIV)

Jesus took the whole sin and temptation thing pretty seriously. Honestly, any time we choose to sin we are saying to Him, “I love this world, which you died to bring me out of, more than I love You.” I don’t ever want to say that to the Lord who died for me, and yet, with my actions, I do. Wage war on your distractions! Turn off your internet or the data on your phone. Don’t go to mall you like to spend money at. Don’t post about yourself on social media. Don’t get on social media at all, if that’s a distraction. Jesus was talking about some drastic measures and not as a joke. You may have to stop talking to friends or give your computer or phone to someone you trust until you get ahold of your distracted mind. Don’t hesitate. Gouge away.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8 NIV)

I love this. Not only is this part the most practical and effective, it is the most rewarding. Surround yourself with accountability partners - people who love and encourage you while keeping you away from distractions. Change the background on your electronic devices. Listen to God-focused music. Talk to God-focused people. Enjoy innocence and laugh at things that are not perverse. Hang out with little kids even! Do everything you can to surround yourself with that list. Memorize that list and seek those things out every day.

Modesty is one half of a coin - How are people looking at you and why?
Focus is the other half of it - How are you looking at things and why?

Discussion points:

Men and women struggle with lust in many forms. Why do we settle our focus on things so fake and temporary instead of focusing on the greater goals? Is delayed gratification such a hard concept in our day-in-age? If you struggle with this, find an older mentor who can encourage you where you are at in life right now.

When we looked at modesty, we look at what affect we might have on others in the way we dress and behave. What affect do we have on others depending on where our focus is?

Be honest with yourself: what focus will bring you greater joy? Believe me, it is worth any sacrifice you may have to make in order change your mindset to a Philippians 4:8 focus.

How can you help others to focus, both those whose lives you speak into intimately and acquaintances? How can you encourage a higher focus?