CHECK YOUR FOCUS

What we focus on becomes larger, and the background fades.
Focus draws us into actions whether wise or foolish.
When I focus on not eating ice cream, the Dairy Queen gets larger and larger until I go buy a Blizzard.
Advertisers direct our focus on their products to make them larger when we look on the store shelves.
When I focus on my favorite teams, wins get larger and losses more devastating.
When we focus on our favorite hobby, it becomes larger and takes up more of our time.
When I focus on the end of the world, I miss the present – the only time I have- now.
When I focus on the spiritual battle with the enemy, I have to be careful that I don’t allow the devil to get larger than God.
When I focus on my sin; the “flesh” gets larger and the spirit gets smaller, and sin increases.
When I focus on politics and the decline of the American culture, the world gets larger and the Kingdom of God gets smaller.

But these three enemies – the devil, the flesh and the world – are already conquered…
The devil was crushed on the cross. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:9) Did he do it? You bet. “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” (Col 2:15)

The flesh was crucified with Christ. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.” (Rom 6:6, 7)

Jesus conquered the world. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But be of good cheer! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Notice this is past tense.

So why do we focus on defeated enemies? It just makes them larger.
It is an illusion.

Jesus has a revolutionary tactic to defeat our enemies- don’t resist them!’ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” (Matt 5:38-42 ESV)
He knew that resistance would increase the illusion that they were larger than they are.
When we resist evil, we empower it.
It is true that James says to resist the devil and he will flee (James 4:7) But how? Jesus did it by focusing on the truth against his lies. He resisted by saying “it is written…”
He focused on the truth to make the lies flee.

Years ago I was about to buy some books on the devil. As I placed them on the counter and pulled out my credit card, a wise clerk asked, “Why are you buying these?” I explained to him, “Because I was told you have to know your enemy!” Then he said something dripping with wisdom, “Why don’t you get to know the real thing and then you will recognize the counterfeit.” I put the books back on the shelf and put my to focus back on Knowing God. This was Paul’s focus, Phil 3:10 “For my determined purpose is that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly…” (Phil 3:10 AMP)

King David got it right, “Let us magnify the Lord.”
If I focus on God and His Word, the devil will flee.
If I “walk in the spirit, I will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.” (Gal. 5:16)
If I focus on the kingdom of God, the world will fade and continue to destroy itself without my help.