Focus is defined as "the center of interest or activity" and "the state or quality of having or producing clear visual definition." When God has given an individual a vision and heavenly mandate, it is almost impossible to fulfill it without focus.
Many win the battle over temptations that are outright sin but lose the battle over their focus. If the enemy can distract you enough, he actually can position you to fall for some type of sin or error. King David is an example of this.
A Lesson from David's Lack of Focus
2 Samuel 11:1 states, "Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they brought destruction on the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed in Jerusalem."
David wasn't focused on the battle at hand and gaining territory for the Lord. Instead, what was he doing? He was distracted. His focus caused him to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, doing the wrong thing. He ended up spying out a woman, Bathsheba.
"One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful." (2 Samuel 11:2)
We know the rest of the story. God did show mercy in the situation by eventually giving David and Bathsheba a son who would start off as a great, wise king and ruler.
However, King David suffered great grief, humiliation, and misfortune over his actions, which were a result of him being distracted and losing focus on his God-given assignment for the season. (Photo via Wikimedia Commons)
Jesus Stayed Focused on the Assignment at Hand
Let's learn from the life of Jesus. In Mark 1:37 Jesus' disciples tracked Him down in the town of Capernaum and told Him, "...ALL MEN SEEK FOR THEE" (emphasis mine). Many desired a word, time, or moment with the Lord Jesus. They demanded His attention and an audience with Him. What was Jesus' response? He did not give sway to the desires of man but rather responded, "...Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth" (Mark 1:38).
Jesus basically ignored their desire for Him to answer the requests and demands of the people of Capernaum. Instead of giving sway to man's desires, He STAYED FOCUSED on the assignment at hand. He knew that it would have been a distraction and detour from what God had given Him to do by yielding to the desire of the people of Capernaum.
Part of Being Fruitful Is Being Focused
Jesus was a man on a mission. He was focused.
In a previous verse (v. 35) we are told of Jesus, "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Jesus' time in the secret place gave Him something that was needed to maintain His focus, direction, and momentum (i.e., "instruction").
I imagine, once He received the download from Heaven of what God desired Him to do next, He could not be stopped or persuaded to take a detour. "All men seek for Thee" (Mark 1:37) was not weighty enough to persuade Him away from the leading of the Father.
A consecrated person is a focused person. When you build your consecration with God, it causes your focus to increase. All may seek for your time and attention, but it becomes clearer and clearer where and with whom you should devote your time and attention. It will minimize you being at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people doing the wrong thing and suffering unneeded misfortune. Part of being fruitful is being focused. May the Lord add to you!
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Demontae Edmonds
Freedom 4 the Nations
Email:Â INFO@F4Nations.com
Website:Â www.d4tn.org
Demontae Edmonds is the founder of Freedom 4 the Nations, host of "This is Freedom" podcast on Charisma Podcast Network, and host of Atlanta's "Highways" TV program. He travels the nations preaching the Gospel with notable signs, wonders, and miracles. His heart is to share the reality of Jesus Christ with the world through demonstrations of the Holy Spirit's power and presence. He has authored the books "Grab Hold of Your Miracle," "Discerning of Spirits: 7 Dimensions of Revelation," and "The Supernatural Gift of Faith."
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