The Lie of Distraction
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Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. psalm 119:37 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame. THE LIE OF psalm 119:31 DISTRACTION 3. DEFEND YOUR PLAN. (VS. 11-12) TRUTH BE TOLD! | SUNDAY MORNING | JULY 5, 2020 DEFINITION: Have I hid, tsaphan—to store or treasure up, to conceal secretly and covertly, to strategically place in anticipation for battle. BETH. (The 2nd letter in the Hebrew alphabet the house) KEY THOUGHT: “If we are not strategic about living the truth, 9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto we will be defeated by the deception of distraction.” according to thy word. 10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. 11 Thy word have I hid LIE OF DISTRACTION: If I don't set priorities I will have less stress. in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. psalm 119:9–12 QUOTE: “We save what we treasure, and we treasure what we save.” Introduction: QUOTE: “The parallel is clear that sin bankrupts what wisdom attempts to save.” I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. psalm 119:93 QUOTE: “The truth about focus and passion is the key to DEFINITION: Sin, chata; (from chach=hook)—to miss the mark, to overcoming the deception of distraction.” err from what is right, to forfeit health and wellbeing. QUOTE: “The Devil desires to distract you because if you won’t QUOTE: “Sin is not just an offense to yourself, but sin is an deny God’s power he will just try to deflect and delay you from offense against God as well.” using it.” SAMECH (15th letter in the Hebrew alphabet = support to lean on) O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! psalm 119:5 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place LIE OF DISTRACTION: I am not naturally a focused person so I and my shield: I hope in thy word. psalm 119:113–114 must become more disciplined to become more focused. LIE OF DISTRACTION: Distractions don't matter as long as I get back on track. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that QUOTE: “What we focus on grows, and what grows tends to shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. john 16:13 be our passion.” KEY THOUGHT: Focus and passion must be fueled by the power TAKE AWAY: “Let God's priorities be your plan, and treat of the Holy Spirit. every distraction as the enemy of your passion.” My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. Three Ways to Find Focus in an Age of Distraction: My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are • Priorities Are Decided through Action righteousness. psalm 119:171–172 • Passions Are Directed through Attraction • Plans Must Be Defended from Distraction MY RESPONSE: 1. DECIDE YOUR PRIORITIES. (VS. 9) DEFINITION: Way, orach—an internal caravan of thoughts. QUOTE: “When your heart is pure your vision is clear so purify your internal thoughts to clarify your external vision.” I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all me. psalm 119:101–102 men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. QUOTE: “Focus begins with a decision to declutter the john 13:34–35 pathway to pursuing a priority.” PE. (17th letter in the Hebrew alphabet = power of the mouth) All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; But the Lord Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the Lord, And thy psalm 119:129 thoughts shall be established. proverbs 16:2–3 QUOTE: “Double minded thinking leads to half-hearted living QUOTE: “Living clean is living pure according to God's because divided passion is no passion at all.” standard of doing right.” LIE OF DISTRACTION: I can multi-task with my desires and pursuits. DEFINITION: Taking heed, sharmar—to protect something that can be tainted or taken. KEY THOUGHT: "Set your affections in the right direction and trust God with the outcome." QUOTE: “Either truth will keep you from impurity or impurity will keep you from the truth.” If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on over me. psalm 119:133 things above, not on things on the earth. colossians 3:1–2 Wander, —to stumble astray, to be slowly and QUOTE: “The strongest foundation for living is building step DEFINITION: shagah by step using the instructions Jesus gives.” unwittingly misled, to be deceived through distraction. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: thy commandments. psalm 119:176 matthew 7:24 QUOTE: “Wandering and distraction happens one lie at a time and we are all one distraction away from self-destruction.” QUOTE: “When the blueprint of God’s word is followed it makes the purpose for living clearer and the steps for living A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the so much simpler.” humble in spirit.Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul. LIE OF DISTRACTION: A detour now won’t matter much later proverbs 29:23–24 as long as your heart is in the right place. QUOTE: “To wander from the Word is to wander from life itself KEY THOUGHT: “If the priorities we are living do not reflect because our desire to please ourselves will ultimately lead to the list we are keeping, we need to uncover the lies we a distain for self as well.” are believing.” QUOTE: “When we miss the signs of drifting, we lose our way of discerning good desires from evil ones.” 2. DIRECT YOUR PASSIONS. (VS. 10) QUOTE: “Nothing ruins relationships faster than misplaced passions.” DEFINITION: Have I sought, darash—to examine and inquire with care, to worship passionately, to focus on intently. Two Misplaced Passions: I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. • The passion for vindication—vs. 165, 21 psalm 119:16 • The passion for recognition—vs. 37, 31 QUOTE: “When we slowly separate God’s principles from Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend God’s Person, we forget the reason for growing in the first place.” them. psalm 119:165 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy QUOTE: “Our passion to live by God’s word must be driven by our love for God not our desire to be loved by commandments. psalm 119:21 other people.” LIE OF DISTRACTION: If I ignore an offense it will heal with time..