4 Mistakes That Distract Us from Valuing His Kingdom

How do we maintain our focus on Kingdom living without getting distracted by false idols, temptations, lusts of the flesh, etc.? Protect yourselves against these 4 distractions for starters.

This list is adapted from a graduation address delivered by John Piper (direct quotes are in italics). For more from Thomas’ favorite teacher visit: www.desiringGod.org

Mistake #1: Big is better than small.

God uses little David-like people to accomplish huge Goliath-like things because he is jealous to get the credit.

The thrust of our existence is living for the Kingdom of GOD, not our little kingdoms. Stop seeking for lifestyles and opportunities that “fit” you in big ways, find opportunities and make decisions that declare you have a BIG God who you depend on in prayer, worship heartily in activity and live for in everything. HE created you (Ps.139:13-16), HE saved you (Eph. 2:1-8), HE sustains your every breath and pleasure (Col. 1:15-18).

Don’t worry about big. Worry about faithful.

Mistake #2: New is better than old.

Christian bookstores CAN be dangerous. Lots of people have lots to say about lots of things. Unfortunately, most books written today are about surviving this life by improving yourself or those around you, rather than surviving this life by focusing on, hoping in and living for the next life where Christ’s reign is complete.

Don’t make the HUGE historical mistake of thinking that just because technology has progressed so has theology. The wisdom of God was founded in eternity past and will remain unchanged through eternity future. Search for Christian author’s from various time periods who prove themselves Kingdom-dwellers by being committed to solid interpretation and unfailing dependence on Scripture.

Read old books. You need the wisdom of the ages to combat the folly of the present. When you read books from today, don’t read first and mainly books by emergent writers. Read books first and mainly by old men—J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, C.S. Lewis, A.W. Tozer, C.H. Spurgeon, Dietrich Bonhoeffer—men with long battled years who have learned not only from the Bible and from books, but from life.

When great changes happen, it's not from new ideas. The reformation was a great leap forward precisely by going backward.

Mistake #3: Having is better than being.

There’s no correlation between the fullness of life and the muchness of having. The fullness of your house and how much you truly have. Mt. 6:19

God and His Kingdom are not concerned with the things man looks at, the external, material treasures of earth. God cares about the true you…your soul (1 Sam. 16:7). The Kingdom of Heaven is made up of people whose transformed hearts transform their actions, values and attitudes towards others (Matt. 12:34-35). We MUST engage in the battle against earthly lusts BY seeking to know and do the will of God as redeemed beings of a different Kingdom (1 John 2:15-17).

What shall I “be” you might ask? Start praying for “becoming” a fruit-bearing believer as John 15:1-9 and Galatians 5:16-24.

Mistake #4: Visible is better than invisible.

The most important things are not visible. God is invisible and he is the greatest reality of all. If you structure your life around sight, it will be out of touch with reality. Do not be much interested in outward appearance. Be interested in inner realities.

A good place to see the manner in which to depend on the Invisible while existing in the visible is the life of Joseph (of colored-coat fame) in Genesis 37-50. Reading the Psalms also puts before us the praises of those struggling in earthly captivity, facing grave enemies and repenting of earthly sins…in all these circumstances listen to how the psalmists relate to God as the Supreme reality and stability.

An eternal perspective starts every day acknowledging humbly that God is God—and he is—small with him is better than big with anybody. His old things are better than anybody’s new things. Being his child is better than having the world. And better to be blind with the invisible God than to see everything without him.

Blessings as you examine your lives for these four mistakes and seek the Holy Spirit’s transforming power and grace!