EPISODE 689 – SIXTEEN PROJECTILES TO INTERCEPT 6

SIXTEEN PROJECTILES TO INTERCEPT 6

“so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” 

2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV)

These projectiles seem subtle but cause great damage to a believer’s faith when they get rooted. You have to intentionally take advantage of the word of God to subdue thoughts of :

1. Disappointment
2. Discouragement
3. Despair
4. Doubt
5. Unbelief or Disbelief
6. Distraction

The more distracted you get, the more you erode your relevance in the Kingdom. As I mentioned in the previous episode, you don’t get distracted by the worst. You get distracted by what seems good.

At one time, Jesus asked one of the people to follow him and become his disciples. But this fellow had other genuine or good plans and used that as an excuse not to respond immediately to the call of Jesus. See Jesus’ response:

“Jesus then turned to another and said, “Come be my disciple.”
He replied, “Someday I will, Lord, but allow me first to fulfill my duty as a good son and wait until my father passes away.” Luke 9:59 (TPT).

Some translations had the literal text, which says “Allow me first to go bury my father”. This wasn’t like, his father was dead. It’s an idiom for waiting until his father passed away. He may not get a share of his father’s inheritance when he leaves before his father passes away.

He wanted his father’s inheritance as his security. He didn’t know there was a greater inheritance for him. His reason seemed genuine and good but it was a distraction from getting the opportunity to become relevant in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus isn’t sentimental when it comes to fulfilling purpose.

Look at his response to the young man:

Jesus told him, “Don’t wait for your father’s burial. Let those who are already dead wait for death. But as for you, go and proclaim everywhere that God’s kingdom has arrived.” Luke 9:61 (TPT)

The excuses and “good reasons” you have for not being prompt or for staying away from the pursuit of your call, are mere distractions of the adversary to prevent you from fulfilling purpose.

Why do you think you can be useful to the Lord only when you complete your educational program or get married?

These are distractions and methods the adversary deploys to delay you.

There is so much the Lord will accomplish through you. Take your mind away from the voices steering your mind away from going all out for the Lord.

Someone said, “I came to school to learn and not to change lives… I can’t use my time to win souls when I have books to read”. Meanwhile this same person has extra time to surf online, watch reels and movies, watch football games, participate in students’ politics, and spend hours at various Campus club meetings.

Why do you think, you can’t attend weekly church meetings because of work, but will find an excuse for a funeral?

The issue is your priority and not the availability of time. Everyone has enough time for what is important to them.

Did you read what I wrote on “BEWARE OF ELIAB”?

David couldn’t have become victorious for Israel if he had listened and allowed himself to be distracted by the words of Eliab.

People who get distracted can’t do much for and with the Lord.

Now another also said to Jesus “Lord, I want to follow you too. But first let me go home and say good-bye to my entire family.” (Luke 9:61)

This sounds good, right? What a loving family-oriented young man!

But Jesus thinks differently when it comes to the pursuit of purpose.

Jesus responded, “Why do you keep looking backward to your past and have second thoughts about following me? When you turn back you are useless to God’s kingdom realm.” Luke 9:62 (TPT)

He doesn’t give room for distractions.

This doesn’t suggest Jesus, doesn’t care about families, He is interested in the focus of your heart.

All through the scriptures, you will find many who couldn’t fulfill their purpose because they got distracted. It is subtle but a powerful destructive weapon of the devil.

The Living Bible (TLB) gives more clarity to this:

“Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will come, but first let me ask permission of those at home.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:61-62

This young man was first asking to be excused to go and straighten things at home. Jesus saw it as procrastination and backward thinking.

Beloved, you can’t put God’s kingdom assignment off till tomorrow. Seize the day and get to work.

Refuse to be distracted.

Selah.