Focus

The dictionary lists one of focus’ definitions as “a central point of attention, attraction”

Philippians 3 verse 12 to 14 is about Reaching forward to God as a goal, But to get there, well to get anywhere in life really, we must be focused.

Verse 12 “Not that I have already reached the goal or are already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it, because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.”

Verse 13 “Brothers (and sisters) I do not, consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead.”

Verse 14 “I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.”

God has offered us such a great prize to live in eternity with Him.

The only way to achieve entry in the walk for this destiny is to accept the salvation which is offered through His Son Christ Jesus.

When we start our walk, Jesus is there to help in every step.

We need to be focused (have our central point of attention) on the High Calling we have accepted.

Our focus unfortunately can be taken by satan who opposes all God has to offer.

Temptation is apart of life and we don’t want to talk too much about satan, lest he glorifies himself in our work. But Satan’s purpose is to alienate us from God, to steal our focus. Satan comes to our area of weakness, he’s an opportunist, a scavanger, he’d rather act like a Hyena and steal a meal instead of put in the effort to stalk, hunt and bring down the wilderbeast on his own. He targets those area’s we’ve already weakened on our own!

2 Corinthians 2 verse 11 “so that we may not be taken advantage of by satan, for we are not ignorant of His intentions.”

One of the key weaknesses that satan may use to come into our lives is through unforgiveness. For example just as you have been forgiven so should we forgive others. That way it closes off a weakness.

Satan’s best way is to get our focus off the big picture of our high calling, and whittle it down to a smaller focus.

Distract us

Narrow our focus down.

Example One. Eve was walking around a beautiful garden in the presence of God and Satan got her to focus on a lovely looking fruit hanging from the forbidden tree.

Satan came to challenge her knowledge of the Word, “has God said?”

Eve’s response should have been, “yes I know His Word and He said not to eat of the fruit. RACK OFF.”

But…

Eve’s attention was on the fruit, Satan took Eve’s focus from the enormous wonders of the garden of Eden to a shining fruit on a tree.

The challenge could have been defeated through knowing and using the Word.

Example Two Joshua 7

Achon got his focus on to being wealthy, instead of following Joshua’s instruction.

Joshua 7 verse 13 “Go consecrate the people.”

Joshua 7 verse 13 “You will not be able to stand against your enemies untill you remove what is set apart.”

Achon in having his focus taken stopped God’s people moving forward.

Example Three 2 Samuel chapter 11 verse 1 David stayed in Jerusalem.

David’s focus changed.