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“Understand what the will of Jehovah is” (EPHE. 5:17).
1, 2. How could something important become a distraction?
Some things that are important can become distractions, diverting our attention and causing us to neglect what is of utmost importance: our spiritual pursuits. Therefore, we must fight against distractions and decide what truly matters.
Similarly, someone who is driving and receives a call that may be important does not get distracted, but decides to focus all their attention on what is most important at that moment.
3. How will this article help us?
This article will help us focus on our service to Jehovah. It will also teach us to identify what might distract us, what Jesus did to stay focused, and how we can follow his example so that nothing distracts us from our spiritual activities.
WHAT COULD DISTRACT US?
4-6. What things could easily distract us?
Some things that could easily distract us are certain medical, family, or personal matters. In addition, political instability, economic problems, epidemic outbreaks, and constant violence could cause worry to consume us and keep us constantly preoccupied with our problems.
While all these things are important, they can become distractions if they absorb us so much that we have no time or energy for anything else. Some people even try to alleviate these worries by filling their lives with entertainment, which can also distract them from what's truly important.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Medical, family, or personal matters can easily distract us if they become so preoccupied that they steal time and energy from what's most important. Political instability, economic problems, epidemic outbreaks, and constant violence can also affect us, as these situations can generate a great deal of worry and cause us to focus excessively on our own problems.
WHAT DID JESUS DO TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING DISTRACTED HIM?
7. What possible distractions did Jesus face?
Some of the distractions Jesus faced included the social and political problems of the time, where poverty and disease were widespread. Furthermore, people were suffering at the hands of the Romans, and seeing that Jesus had the power to perform miracles, some wanted to make him king.
Satan also tempted him by offering him a shortcut to rule the world. And the apostle Peter, who was one of his closest friends, once encouraged him to lead an easier life.
8. What did Jesus do to avoid getting distracted?
To avoid distractions, Jesus imitated Jehovah’s way of thinking, kept himself busy with spiritual activities, and always kept clear what was most important. Jesus did not allow what people thought, said, or did to distract him from doing God’s will. He firmly rejected Satan’s temptations and was not swayed by Peter’s well-intentioned but misguided advice.
HOW TO FIGHT DISTRACTIONS?
9. According to Ephesians 5:17, what should we do?
According to Ephesians 5:17, we must learn to think like God so that we can understand “what is the will of Jehovah.” Furthermore, we can discover what pleases him by reading and meditating on his Word. In situations where the Bible is silent, we can familiarize ourselves with Jehovah’s way of thinking and allow ourselves to be guided by it.
10. How can we better understand Jehovah’s way of thinking?
We can better understand Jehovah’s way of thinking by meditating on Bible accounts that show how he treats and guides people. As we read the Bible, we can ask ourselves questions such as what this account teaches us about Jehovah and what we need to change so that our thinking is in harmony with his. In addition, it is important to turn to Jehovah in prayer to help us understand his way of thinking and to see things as he sees them.
11. What does Jehovah want?
Jehovah wants us to avoid distractions so that we will be ready for the end of this system. He also wants us not to be overwhelmed by worries. That is why he gives us good advice on how to deal with worries related to work, health, family, or other matters, and he encourages us to ask him for wisdom and strength to cope with problems.
12. What will help us to be happy despite the bad things that happen in this world? (Matthew 5:3).
What will help us to be happy despite the bad things that happen in this world is keeping busy with spiritual activities. Although we cannot control the problems that occur, we can focus on satisfying our spiritual needs by getting to know Jehovah better through his Word and by participating in his worship. In this way, we please Jehovah, use our time well, and find happiness.
13. How do we make the best use of our time?
We make the most of our time when we use carefully the time we have before the end of this system. This includes limiting the amount of news we watch or read, as it can be distracting and discouraging. In this way, we avoid feeling overwhelmed and can keep ourselves occupied with spiritual activities. We also make the most of our time when we look for ways to expand our ministry and help people come to know the truth.
14. How does keeping busy with spiritual activities help us? (See also the picture.)
Keeping busy with spiritual activities helps us to view the times in which we live with balance. This helps us avoid becoming overly concerned about political instability, economic problems, and illness, since we understand that these things were foretold in the Bible. Instead of letting fear overwhelm us and becoming distracted, we trust that Jehovah will fulfill his purpose for the future and remain calm, confident that he is by our side.
ILLUSTRATION
A married couple walks with their public preaching carts, looking confidently ahead. Image series: Various alarming events happening around the world. 1. An angry crowd at a demonstration. 2. The results of an opinion poll. 3. Soldiers at war. 4. Medication. 5. A graph showing a rapidly declining stock value for a company.
Despite the problems of this world, let us keep busy with spiritual activities. (See paragraph 14.)
15. How will “good judgment” help us? (1 Peter 4:7).
“Good judgment” will help us avoid adopting the world’s way of thinking, in which entertainment and fun often take precedence. It will enable us to maintain a balanced view of leisure activities and make good choices. In this way, we show that we think like Jehovah and that we know what is most important.
16. What was Jesus focused on during the hours before his death?
In the hours before his death, Jesus was completely focused on remaining faithful to Jehovah and doing his will. Unlike his disciples, who fell asleep from exhaustion and sadness, Jesus remained alert and prayed fervently.
17. Why do many people use social media, and what could happen to them? (See also the image).
Many people use social media to forget their problems and entertain themselves for long periods of time. However, they can easily become absorbed by it and spend too much time and energy keeping up with everything new, which can distract them from what's most important.
ILLUSTRATION
A sister is at home trying to read the Bible, but she is distracted by notifications she receives on her phone from a social network, a multimedia content application, and a shopping application.
Good judgment helps us avoid being distracted by social media, entertainment, and amusements. (See paragraph 17.)
18. Why do we need to have good judgment when choosing our entertainment?
We need to exercise good judgment when choosing our entertainment because, while it can be a way to relax, it can also lead us to consume inappropriate or harmful content without realizing it. Many apps and platforms suggest videos or content that may include violent or immoral images. Therefore, good judgment helps us choose both the type and amount of entertainment we consume.
19. What might happen if we focus too much on free time and holidays?
If we focus too much on free time and vacations, we could lose our balance and end up stealing time from the most important things. While rest is necessary and beneficial, and we all need to relax and disconnect from time to time, if we focus too much on these activities, we risk neglecting what truly matters.
20. How does fighting distractions benefit us?
Fighting against distractions benefits us because it helps us stay focused on what is most important: our service to Jehovah. With his help, we can face life's problems without becoming overly concerned about world events or focusing too much on entertainment and amusement.
Furthermore, it allows us to stay engaged in spiritual activities and to be clear about what is most important. In this way, we not only avoid distractions, but we also cling to "the life that is truly life."
HOW DOES THE FOLLOWING HELP US FIGHT DISTRACTIONS?
Learn to think like Jehovah.
Learning to think like Jehovah helps us fight distractions because it enables us to better understand “what is Jehovah’s will.” By reading and meditating on his Word, we discover what pleases him and can become familiar with his way of thinking. In this way, even in situations that the Bible does not directly address, we can be guided by his way of thinking.
Keeping ourselves busy with spiritual activities.
Keeping busy with spiritual activities helps us fight distractions because it allows us to view the times in which we live with balance. This helps us avoid becoming overly concerned about political instability, economic problems, and illness, since we understand that these things were foretold in the Bible. Instead of letting fear and distraction overwhelm us, we trust that Jehovah will accomplish his purpose and remain calm, confident that he is by our side.
Always be clear about what is most important.
Always being clear about what is most important helps us fight distractions because it prevents us from adopting the world's way of thinking, where entertainment often takes precedence. “Good judgment” allows us to maintain a balanced view of leisure activities and make good choices. In this way, we show that we think like Jehovah and that we keep our priorities straight.
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