Preoccupied II Cor. 10:5 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Your mind is preoccupied when a matter or a subject dominates or engrosses your mind to the exclusion of other thoughts. It appears that many young Christians are preoccupied these days. You can run a little two-part self-test to see if you are preoccupied. First, sit down and read the Bible and see what comes to mind as you read. The thoughts that come to mind are the things with which you are preoccupied. Second, kneel down to pray and see what comes to mind. Many Christians can’t even read the Bible and pray because their minds are already so full.
How do you de-clutter your life and mind so that you can start concentrating on spiritual matters? We’ll just get down to the business at hand and deal with the trouble so that you can find a remedy and free up your mind.
Here is a list of things with which you may be preoccupied:
Preoccupied with lust – you may be consumed with the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes [1 Jn 2:16]. Many people are.
Preoccupied with work – ye cannot serve God and mammon [Matt 6:24]; you’ll love the one and hate the other.
Preoccupied with health – no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it [Eph 5:29]. Look at all the attention given to vitamins and health care these.
Preoccupied with exercise – bodily exercise profiteth little [1 Tim 4:8]. Look at all the health clubs and the amount of time people spend at them.
Preoccupied with recreation – lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God [2 Tim 3:4]. Look at all the sports, entertainment and ways to spend your time and money with amusements. Look at all the video games that can preoccupy your mind.
Preoccupied with food – their God is their belly [Phil 3:19]. Look at all the restaurants, grocery stores and organic foods.
Preoccupied with clothes – the fashion of this world passeth away [1 Cor 7:31].
Preoccupied with fear – I will not fear what man shall do unto me [Heb 13:6].
Preoccupied with worry – be careful for nothing [Phil 4:6].
Preoccupied with trouble – man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward [Job 5:7]. There is trouble with the kids, trouble with the spouse, trouble with the job, trouble with the bank, trouble with the market, and so forth.
Preoccupied with possessions – a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth [Lk 12:15]. Look at all the storage units.
Here are some things you can do to get these things out of your mind:
You need to get the thoughts of all of these things and more out of your head. You should eliminate any and all avenues of entry that bring the things to mind about which you are preoccupied: quit worrying, sell some possessions, find the right nourishment for you and throw all the rest of that stuff that comes in the mail in the trash, take moderate exercise, deal with your problems and don’t let them brew, get away from the computer, get away from the television and movies, never let your mind run on wicked lustful thinking, get rid of all the junk food, pare down your wardrobe to the essentials, and become content with such things as ye have.
Then you need to get on your knees and pray fervently to the Lord, out loud if you must, in order to keep your mind from wandering. Continue with Bible reading. Follow along with someone reading the Bible like Alexander Scourby. Saturate your heart and mind. Draw close to the Lord by spending time in fellowship with him. Listen to godly music and learn hymns by heart. Memorize scripture and meditate on things that you have been reading and studying. Listen to excellent sermons throughout the week and attend your regular church services for excellent preaching and teaching of God’s words. Read excellent literature to exercise your mind.
Conclusion: You will find over time that the more “stuff” you get out of your life, the more “junk” you get out of your head. And then the more good quality spiritual things that you put in your mind, the more spiritual thoughts you have and the more spiritual growth you enjoy.