Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "distracted" often refers to a state of being diverted from spiritual focus or devotion to God. This theme is addressed in various passages, highlighting the importance of maintaining a steadfast commitment to one's faith and spiritual duties.
One of the most illustrative examples of distraction is found in the New Testament, in the account of Mary and Martha. In
Luke 10:38-42 , Jesus visits the home of these two sisters. Martha is described as being "distracted by all the preparations to be made" (
Luke 10:40), while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to His teaching. Jesus gently rebukes Martha, saying, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her" (
Luke 10:41-42). This passage underscores the importance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over worldly concerns.
The theme of distraction is also evident in the Parable of the Sower, where Jesus describes different types of soil representing the hearts of those who hear the Word of God. In
Matthew 13:22 , Jesus explains, "The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful." Here, distractions are likened to thorns that prevent spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently faced distractions that led them away from God. The allure of foreign gods and the practices of surrounding nations often diverted their attention and devotion. In
Deuteronomy 6:14 , God commands, "Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you." This warning highlights the danger of allowing external influences to distract from wholehearted worship of the one true God.
The Apostle Paul also addresses the issue of distraction in his letters. In
1 Corinthians 7:35 , he advises believers to live in a way that promotes "undivided devotion to the Lord." Paul emphasizes the importance of focusing on spiritual matters and not being sidetracked by worldly concerns.
In the broader biblical narrative, distraction is often portrayed as a hindrance to spiritual growth and a barrier to experiencing the fullness of a relationship with God. Believers are encouraged to remain vigilant, keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith" (
Hebrews 12:2), and to avoid the distractions that can lead them away from their divine calling.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Distract.
2. (a.) Mentally disordered; unsettled; mad.
Greek
3309. merimnao -- to be anxious, to care for ... anxious, to care for. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: merimnao Phonetic Spelling:
(mer-im-nah'-o) Short Definition: I am anxious,
distracted Definition: I
... 563. aperispastos -- without distraction
... Transliteration: aperispastos Phonetic Spelling: (ap-er-is-pas-toce') Short Definition:
without distraction, without being distracted Definition: without ...
2139. euperistatos -- easily encircling
... euperistatos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-per-is'-tat-os) Short Definition: easily
encircling Definition: easily surrounding, encircling, easily distracted. ...
4049. perispao -- to draw away
... distract, trouble greatly. Word Origin from peri and spao Definition to draw
away NASB Word Usage distracted (1). distract. From peri ...
573. haplous -- simple, single
... without folds" (J. Thayer), referring to a (), ie without a (secret) "double agenda"
which prevents an over-complicated life (becoming needlessly distracted). ...
Strong's Hebrew
6323. pun -- be distracted... pun. 6324 . be
distracted. Transliteration: pun Phonetic Spelling: (poon) Short
Definition:
distracted. Word Origin another reading for aphunah, qv. be
distracted ... 1949. hum -- to murmur, roar, defeat in battle
... root Definition to murmur, roar, defeat in battle NASB Word Usage noisy (1), resounded
(1), stirred (1), surely distracted (1), throw (1), uproar (1). ...
Library
The Distracted Mind
... SERMON XXXIX. THE DISTRACTED MIND. Eversley.1871. Matthew 6:34. ... The nearest English
word, I believe, is"distracted. Be ye not distracted about to-morrow. ...
That the Platonists Maintain that the Poets Wrong the Gods by ...
... Chapter 7."That the Platonists Maintain that the Poets Wrong the Gods by Representing
Them as Distracted by Party Feeling, to Which the Demons and Not the ...
On Dissipation
... (Luke 10:39.) Meantime, Martha was cumbered with much serving: was distracted,
dissipated; periespato. It is the very expression from whence St. ...
Jesus and the Bethany Sisters.
... "Martha was cumbered about much serving." A marginal reading gives, "was distracted.".
Perhaps there are many modern Christian housekeepers ...
How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case ...
... may be filled with terror and apprehensions of God's wrath and indignation; and
that in such a measure, as that thereby it may be as a distracted person, as we ...
A Sequel to the Same Matter.
... But if in Prayer, or out of it thou should'st willingly be diverted or distracted,
suffering thy self deliberately to be transported into any Passion; then it ...
That Ghostly Song Accords not with Bodily: and the Cause and the ...
... That among singers and readers some are distracted from their devotion is not from
perfection but from unstableness of mind, because other men's words break ...
Of the Day of Eternity and of the Straitnesses of this Life
... and straits, where man is defiled with many sins, ensnared with many passions, bound
fast with many fears, wearied with many cares, distracted with many ...
The Forty-Eighth Chapter: the Day of Eternity and the Distresses ...
... He is distracted by many curiosities and entangled in many vanities, surrounded
by many errors and worn by many labors, oppressed by temptations, weakened by ...
The Canonical Answers of Timothy the Most Holy Bishop of ...
... Question XIV. Shall there be an oblation for him, who being distracted, murders
himself? Answer. Not except the case be very clear that he was distracted. ...
Thesaurus
Distracted (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Distracted (3 Occurrences). Luke
... up. While I suffer
your terrors, I am
distracted. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS).
...Distraught (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Deeply agitated, anxious, distracted. 2.
(a.) Torn asunder; separated. 3. (a.) Distracted; perplexed. ...
Cumbered (1 Occurrence)
... kum'-ber, (katargeo, "to make idle," perispaomai, "to be drawn about," in mind
"to be distracted"): Spoken of the barren fig tree in the parable: "Cut it down ...
Cumber (1 Occurrence)
... kum'-ber, (katargeo, "to make idle," perispaomai, "to be drawn about," in mind
"to be distracted"): Spoken of the barren fig tree in the parable: "Cut it down ...
Waiting (274 Occurrences)
... Luke 10:40 Martha meanwhile was busy and distracted in waiting at table, and she
came and said, "Master, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do all ...
Insane (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Exhibiting unsoundness or disorded of mind; not
sane; mad; deranged in mind; delirious; distracted. See Insanity. ...
Frantic (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Mad; raving; frenzied; violent; wild and disorderly;
distracted. Multi-Version Concordance Frantic (2 Occurrences). ...
Terrors (21 Occurrences)
... Psalms 88:15 I am afflicted and ready to die from my youth up. While I suffer your
terrors, I am distracted. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
Expiring (1 Occurrence)
... Expiring (1 Occurrence). Psalms 88:15 I am afflicted and expiring from my youth
up; I suffer thy terrors, and I am distracted. (DBY YLT). ...
Distraction (1 Occurrence)
Resources
Who was Mary of Bethany in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to watch and pray? | GotQuestions.orgIs “idle hands are the devil's workshop” a biblical statement? | GotQuestions.orgDistracted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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