|
By Tony
Dean
NOTE: all scriptures quoted are from the KJV, except
were noted. All Greek words are from the Strong’s concordance except
were noted.
In Philippians we are told to be careful for nothing:
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.
The Greek word for careful in this scripture is
merimnao. The definition of this word is as follows:
- to be anxious,
- to be troubled with cares
- to care for, to look out for (a thing)
- to seek to promote one's interests
- caring or providing for
In essence this word means do not be distracted or have
anxiety about things. The world provides a multiplicity of things that
will distract you from the greatness of God's Word. The devils basic goal
is to distract a believer’s mind off the promises of God. In Philippians
4:6 above we are told in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let our needs be known to God. The result is that the peace of God will
keep (guard) your hearts and minds (the results of your prayers).
One of the phrases that is translated merimnao is "take
thought" Let's look at scriptures where this Greek word merimnao
is translated by this phrase:
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought (do
not have distracting care) for your life, what ye shall eat, or
what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is
not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Matthew 6:27
Which of you by taking thought (having distracting
care) can add one cubit unto his stature?
Matthew 6:28
And why take ye thought (being distracted
by) for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they toil not, neither do they spin:
Matthew 6:31
Therefore take no thought (do not have distracting
care), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal
shall we be clothed?
Matthew 6:33
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought (do
not be distracted) for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.
Look at the Amplified translation of Matthew 6:33,34
Matthew 6:33,34
33 But seek (aim at and strive after)
first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and
being right), and then all these things taken together will given you
besides.
34 So do not worry or be anxious
about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties
of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Put God first in everything you do then all the distracting
needs you have will be taken care of.
What else does the Word say about distractions, How
does a person become distracted?
Matthew 13:22
He also that received seed among the thorns is he
that heareth the word; and the care (distractions)
of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and
he becometh unfruitful.
Mark 4:19
And the cares (distractions)
of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other
things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Luke 8:14
And that which fell among thorns are they, which,
when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares
(distractions) and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and
bring no fruit to perfection.
The three records above show us that the distractions
in life choke (crowd the Word) and cause the Word in our
life to become unfruitful. Another thing to notice is that the distractions
coming from Satan are always pressures and pleasures. He always
uses one or the other. He will either try to pleasure you off the
Word or pressure you off the Word.
This word merimnao is also used in 1 Corinthians 12:25
in a positive sense.
1 Corinthians 12:25
That there should be no schism2 in the body; but [that] the members should
have the same care (take thought) one for another.
As this verse states there should be no division in
the body, but each believer should take thought or consider one another.
Here are some practical examples of how not to
be distracted:
1 Peter 5:6-7
6 Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care
(distractions) upon him; for he careth for you.
To humble yourself before God is to cast all your distractions
to him to handle. The word "cast" here implies effort
on your part.
Here is another thing to "cast" upon the Lord:
Psalm 55:22
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain
thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Look at the Amplified version of Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight
of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently]
righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall or fail).
Here are other practical examples:
Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and
he shall bring it to pass.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall
be established.
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and
be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee.
In addition to the practical examples, remember
and claim these promises:
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will
give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that
walk uprightly.
Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good
to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Endeavor to never let anything distract you from the
greatness of God’s matchless Word or his promises. Regarding
distractions, let me share with you a note that was sent
to me.
1. Phroureo - protect:--keep
(with a garrison)
Return
2. schisma - division
Return
|
