Kingdom Distractions, II

1 Corinthians 7:³⁵ “…do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.” (emphasis added).

Yesterday, we looked at three out of six Kingdom distractions. The first is Politics. The second is Current Controversies. The third is Comparing. The fourth distraction from The Kingdom is Criticizing. Stop criticizing people! Stop criticizing other Christians! Stop criticizing music ministers! Stop criticizing Pastors! Stop it! You cannot criticize and be great at the same time. They do not co-exist. Check; you do not see people who are great criticizing other people. They are too busy with their own assignment. People who criticize never become great because it is either one or the other.

You cannot be playing a football match and running the commentary at the same time. Those who are running commentary cannot be in the game. God has called you to be in the game, so stop running commentaries! And do not allow people who are running commentaries to distract you. If they are running commentaries, it is proof that they are not in the game. No one can be in the game and be running commentaries at the same time. Get into the game!

The fifth distraction is Expecting Non-Christians To Act Like Christians Before They Become Christians. And this is so big. Someone is not a Christian, and you are worried the person is not dressed properly. How is that your business? You cannot expect someone who is not a Christian, to become a Christian, until the person becomes a Christian. Did the person tell you that he or she is interested in Christianity, or becoming a Christian? The person is not Christian, so just love him or her. You are commanded to love them, not criticize them. Just love them! You cannot expect them to be Christians until they are actually Christians. Enough said!

The sixth distraction is Living In The Fear Of Criticism. If you live in fear of criticism, you will never fulfil your destiny in God. Rick Warren says (and I agree) that, “People Are Going To Dismiss You When You’re Small. Criticize You When You Grow. And Resent You When You Succeed. In Every Situation, Live For An Audience Of One.” You will never ever get to a point where people will not criticize you. There is nothing you can do about it. So, do not worry about what people think about you, that is their business. You worry about what God thinks about you, make that your preoccupation.

Prayer: Father, empower me to rise above all Kingdom distractions and focus my heart on “The Work” that You have committed into my hands, in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen!