“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
Introduction
Distraction is one of the enemy’s most subtle and effective weapons. If Satan cannot destroy you, he will try to divert you. If he cannot make you turn away from God completely, he will attempt to fill your vision with so many side-issues, cares, and noises that your eyes drift from Jesus.
In the KJV, “looking” in Hebrews 12:2 carries the meaning of fixing your gaze away from all else. It is a deliberate, intentional choice to focus on Christ despite competing voices, flashing lights, and urgent pulls on your time.
We live in an age of distraction—phones buzzing, news cycling, opportunities knocking, fears rising. But the truth is, distraction is not new; it has always been one of the greatest threats to divine destiny.
Point 1 — Distraction Is a Detour from Your Destiny
“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful…” (Luke 10:41–42 KJV)
Martha was not doing anything sinful—she was serving Jesus. But her service had become a distraction from intimacy with Him. She had allowed the urgent to override the important.
Distraction does not always come in the form of obvious sin. Sometimes it’s ministry, work, relationships, or even good projects that pull your attention from the Lord’s feet.
Application:
• The enemy is not just trying to tempt you into sin; he is trying to occupy your hands and mind so you never hear God’s specific instructions for your season.
• A busy Christian can be an unfruitful Christian if their busyness replaces stillness before God.
Point 2 — Distraction Dilutes Your Spiritual Authority
“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:4 KJV)
A distracted soldier is a defeated soldier. When you are entangled with unnecessary battles, personal offenses, and temporary pursuits, you lose the sharpness of your spiritual weaponry.
Samson’s distraction with Delilah weakened his consecration until he lost his strength. Peter’s distraction by the wind and waves caused him to sink while walking on water (Matthew 14:30).
Application:
• Spiritual authority requires spiritual focus.
• What you feed your attention to, you give your authority to. If your attention is scattered, your authority is scattered.
Point 3 — Distraction Distorts Your Perception of God’s Promises
“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:19 KJV)
The seed of God’s Word is powerful, but distraction acts like thorns that choke it. You cannot reap the harvest of the Word if your heart is overcrowded with competing voices and priorities.
When Israel spied out the Promised Land, the majority saw giants, not grapes. Why? Because they were distracted by obstacles instead of focused on the God who promised.
Application:
• A distracted believer sees problems bigger than promises.
• If the enemy can magnify the obstacle in your sight, he can minimize your faith in your spirit.
How to Overcome Distraction
1. Guard Your Gaze — “Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” (Psalm 25:15 KJV)
Decide daily what gets your attention. Everything that looks urgent is not essential.
2. Prioritize His Presence — “In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11 KJV)
If the devil can keep you from the secret place, he can keep you from power.
3. Strengthen Your Spirit with the Word — “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11 KJV)
The stronger your spirit, the harder it is to be pulled away.
4. Travel Light — “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…” (Hebrews 12:1 KJV)
Weights aren’t always sin—they can be distractions, unhealthy attachments, or unnecessary commitments.
Conclusion
Distraction is not a small issue—it is a destiny issue. You cannot run this race looking to the left and right; your eyes must be looking unto Jesus.
In this season, the Spirit of God is calling His people to laser-like focus. Heaven’s assignments require Heaven’s attention.
Closing Prayer
“Father, in the Name of Jesus, we repent for allowing distractions to pull our hearts away from You. We choose today to fix our eyes on the Author and Finisher of our faith. Deliver us from the snares of busyness, the noise of the world, and the entanglements of the enemy.
Strengthen us to lay aside every weight and run with patience the race set before us. Help us to hear Your voice clearly and obey Your instructions without delay. We declare our eyes are single, our hearts are steadfast, and our hands are ready for the work of the Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Dr. Althea Winifred’s Sermon Notes – Sunday, August 10, 2025
Next Level 
Keep up the great work for the Kingdom.
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