Do we worship the devil without realizing it?
Where do we focus our attention? The Bible tells us that the direction in which we focus our attention is the way in which we will go.
Luke 9:62 – But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Farmers know that when you plow a field you have to focus your attention on the destination. If you look back or to the side, the plow will veer off the straight path necessary to plant seeds. Even when driving an automobile, we know that the car will also veer in the direction we focus our attention.
Worshipping the Lord is focusing our attention upon Him. Focusing our attention on Him and not allowing demonic distractions to usurp our time and devotion, will be a sure way of always heading to our God appointed destination.
The dictionary defines the word attention: 1) notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important. 2) the action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something.
I emphasized some of the phrases in the definition to show worship is giving attention to God, the one we love. We worship Him as the one we find the most interesting and important. We all want to show our love and affection to Him and consider it a privilege to worship Him who is worthy.
Now most of us will emphatically declare that we do not worship the devil when at times we may, in fact, be doing just that! Using the above definition of attention to describe the act of worship, we can see that there are times we focus on what the devil is doing. We can’t take our eyes off the pain, disease, trauma, the doctor’s report, the thoughts he puts in our minds or whatever havoc he is trying to wreak in our lives. He loves to consume our attention and he wants us to consider his evil acts more important than what God has done for us. It is as worship to him.
Oh, how the devil loves attention! In fact, most of what he does is to get us distracted and cause us to focus on, and pay all our attention to, his antics. If he can get a rise out us, he is happy and the last thing we should want to do is make the devil happy! He knows our buttons and which ones to push to get a reaction. When we view his actions and behaviors as meaningless or of little consequence, we can actually discourage his advancements. I remember as a young Christian reading a testimony by Smith Wigglesworth. He was on a ministry trip and sleeping in a motel when he was awakened by something shaking the bed. He sat up and saw a very large demon looming over him at the foot of the bed. He wasn’t moved by fear nor did he give it any attention. He only responded with, “Oh, it’s just you,” and brother Wigglesworth went back to sleep. The devil left disappointed! He didn’t get the attention (worship) he had hoped for.
In the gospels there is an account of the disciples caught in a terrible storm and they feared for their lives as the boat was filling with water. Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat and not the least bit moved by the storm. He was resting in what He knew His Father had told Him: “Go to the other side.” He paid no attention to the storm nor did He regard it as important, but for HIs disciples’ sake He arose and took authority over it. That is the only attention we should give storms! We can either rest or take authority over them. Jesus is our example and model that we are to follow and He knows how to rest, even in a life-threatening situation. “You can only have authority over the storms you can sleep in.” (Bill Johnson)
Determine today that demons will not distract you from your destiny or the promises of God. Your time, affection and focus belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. We often spend too much of our time paying attention to demons by rebuking them when we could be giving our attention to God and His Word. I am not saying that we shouldn’t rebuke demons but how much time should that take and which is more important: what God has done or what demons are doing? What actions are we taking to express that He is special and important to us?
Remember the Definition of Attention:
1. Notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important. 2. The action of dealing with or taking special care of someone or something.
Psa 119:95 CJV The wicked hope to destroy me, but I focus on your instruction.
Psa 119:95 BBE The sinners have been waiting for me to give me up to destruction; but I will give all my mind to your unchanging word.
Pay attention! If you “pay” money for something you get something in return. If we pay attention to (worship) Jesus — not to get something, but simply to show Him our love — then He rewards us with His presence, His peace and His love. Plus, we will always be victorious in any storm. Pay attention to the devil and we all know what he produces in our lives. He is not interesting or important and certainly not worthy of any special care or attention. Keep your hand on the plow and look to the goal of the high calling of God. He is indeed more interesting.
Phil. 3:12-14 (Passion Translation) I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into His abundance so that I may reach the destiny which Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this, however, I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past (demons love your past) as I fasten my heart to the future instead. I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus! (I added the words in italics.)
Isn’t it time you experienced Christ’s healing power in your body? If you are suffering from illness, pain (physical, spiritual, or emotional), or if circumstances are overwhelming you, please don’t wait. Call the Clearwater Healing House at (727) 461-1100 today and schedule an appointment. There is no charge.
Let us love you with the love that never fails. A love that never fails means we do not quit until your healing is manifested. Our motto is: Broken? Guaranteed to leave changed!