divert your attention…

we are going phrase by phrase through the LORD’s prayer and we are looking at the words JESUS used in matthew 6.13 (niv), lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.

now i want to be practical in dealing with this real occurrence in each of our lives so i am giving you some steps from GOD’s word that will help you if you do them to.

we have looked in the past few weeks to 4 steps…
1.  predetermine your pattern of temptation.
2.  then plan to avoid it.
3.  you must protect the condition of your heart.
and 4. you pray for GOD’s help. 

so step #5:  you point your attention elsewhere. 

you change the direction of your thoughts.  you refocus on something else.  you shift your attention. 

james 1.14-15 (tlb), temptation is the pull of your own evil thoughts and wishes.  these evil thoughts lead to evil action. 

temptation always starts with a thought.  it always starts with the mind.  so in the end whatever gets your attention gets you.  there is a pull to what gets your attention. 

if you’re standing at the edge of a cliff and you look over, there is something that pulls you towards the bottom.  what is it that does that?  how does that happen?  it’s because it has your attention. 

whatever gets your attention gets you.  it’s a physical law that you’re drawn toward whatever has your attention. 

if you’re driving down the freeway and you look off at something along the side of the road you tend to drift in that direction.  if i said to you right now, are you hungry?  you might think, well yeah i am a little bit hungry.  it has your attention.  or how’s the temperature where you are?  and some of you think it’s a little cold and you grab a sweater.  or are you tired, it’s getting late.  and you yawn, i am a little bit tired.  whatever gets your attention, you’re inevitably drawn towards.  so the more you think about something the stronger the hold it gets on you. 

so you divert your attention.  you think about something else. 

just a thought from the front porch…