Distractions From The Plains

Distractions From the Plains 

Nehemiah 6:1-4 NKJV

[1] Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), [2] that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. [3] So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” [4] But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

    The enemy uses distraction as a tactic to hinder growth and prevent people from fulfilling their life purpose. It is by diverting people's focus that the enemy plans to distabilise you from from God and His plan for your life. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” We can change the word "devour" to " "distract" and we will still get the meaning.

    The enemy has distraction as his main occupation. When God confronted it in Job, the devil confessed that it goes to and fro seeking who to devour. Here the four people are used to distract Nehemiah from accomplishing what he came to do from Babylon. Daniel Goleman says that " One way to boost our will power and focus is to manage our distractions instead of letting them manage us." 

    In an article published in August, 2023, by Productivity, the author lists nine ways the enemy can use to distract. They include debts, work, materialism, relationships, social media,etc. Here are a few ways you may need to be alert of today : Trying to shift your focus to the things of the world; hindering growth to stop you from accomplshing purpose; weakening your resistance to temptations; or getting excessive focus on Social media. The forms may  change, but its purpose is to make sure you're unable to accomplish purpose. The solution to distraction is in 1Peter 5:9, " Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world". Resist every distraction today.  Good morning.