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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
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