Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:4

 Christians worldwide face unprecedented persecution. Unless God intervenes, it will only get worse. Will you remain faithful to Christ if forced to choose between life, loved ones, and Jesus? Or, will you deny Him?

As a preparation to such a test, we face a similar choices everyday. We choose drugs over health (our bodies are His temples), pornography over family, screen time over prayer time. Most Christians fail these tests. I fail often. Then I repent, and start over again.

Here are the ten things that distract Christians most:
10. Our Jobs

 Many Americans struggle working two and three part time jobs, working more hours for less money than they did a decade ago. This leaves little time for anything else. Unfortunately, many Christians choose to sacrifice spiritual rest for physical rest. Just As a body that goes without food and water suffers and dies, a spirit without spiritual food and water suffers.

9.  Politics

 Christians on both the left and the right are convinced that their party is the hand of God. While I do believe in absolute truth and that Christian values should prevail in our lives, I do not believe that ant party has a monopoly on truth. Is political affiliation the criteria by which we will be judged when we meet Christ face-to-face? Standing up for Christ does not always equal standing up for political values. We should spend more time on our relationship with Christ and less listening to network news or conservative talk radio.

8. Food

 Christians joke about how much they love to eat, but for many of us, food is an obsession, an addiction, or a bandaid to cover life’s wounds. While it is true that Christ utilized food in his ministry, it is also true that he knew the value of prayer and fasting. Do you eat for pleasure or eat for sustenance? When was the last time you fasted?

7. Pleasure Seeking

 C.S. Lewis claimed that Christians are “far too easily pleased.” He said that during the Second World War. What would he say we’re he alive today? Our desire for Christ is weak, and we are too easily distracted by watered-down sermons from namby-pamby pastors they serve up moral platitudes and only hint at biblical truth. Many pastors worry more about entertaining their flock than feeding them. Congregations seek out churches with coffee houses, movies, professional musicians, and gymnasiums, rather than seeking a Bible-believing church full of the Holy Spirit. The two are not mutually exclusive, but the presence of the Spirit should take precedence over the presence of a Starbucks.

6. Religion

 It may seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes the work we do within the church distracts us from our relationship with Christ. While driving the church bus or teaching children’s church or serving as deacon is important, they are not more important than prayer and Bible study.

5. Money

 One doesn’t have to be rich to make money your false god. Christ tells us not to worry about tomorrow. He told his disciples to follow him, leaving behind their families, home, and extra clothes. He tells us, in no uncertain terms, to TRUST fully in Him, not our jobs, not the federal reserve, not the banks, not the stock market, not welfare, nor food stamps. Trust in God.

4. Possessions

 Having many possessions is not a sin. Holding them more dear than you do your creator is. One does not have to make possessions into a false god to let them be a distraction. If you’re concern with possessions takes time away from your walk with God, then think twice about your love for Christ.
3. Laziness

Sloth is one of the seven deadly sins. Let’s face it, many folks are simply too lazy to put forth the work necessary to develop a personal relationship with Christ. It takes time to pray and study the Bible. It takes effort to go to church, especially when that is your only day off work. Sunday night service? Forget it. Jesus was always busy ministering, praying, teaching, healing. Before he started his ministry, he worked as a carpenter. If Jesus stayed so busy, so should we.

2. Pornography/Sex

 How many Christian leaders or TV preachers, school teachers or politicians have fallen because of a sex scandal? I could, without much thought, name a dozen. Christians are human and humans like sex. God gave clear guidelines for our sexuality, guidelines that, though largely considered antiquated and irrelevant, have not changed. The problem is, illicit sex distracts us from our relationship with Christ. There are many other problems with sexual sins, but distraction is the one on which we focus. Volumes have been written and empires built on sexual addiction, pornography, cheating, divorce, and homosexuality. Suffice it to say, if it is taking away from your walk with God, seek counseling.

1. Screen Time

 
The number one thing that distracts Christians from their spirituality is screen time. Americans spend on average 11 hours a day staring at a screen. The average child spend 7 hours on those same gadgets. I suspect average screen time for Christians is not much different. While there is a definite place for the media, the Internet, and social media within Christian evangelism, Christians should not confuse clicking like on a cute picture and pithy piece of prudence with devotion to our Lord. Do not replace Faith with Face.

   
Living a holy life is not an option for a Christian. A true Christian develops an intimate relationship with Jesus, a key part of which is studying God’s Word. This is no easy task for some. To make it a little easier, we recommend you mix up the way you approach a Bible study. Here are 5 different methods of Bible study.

1. Daily Devotionals. One of my favorite daily devotionals is also one of the most popular, Our Daily Bread. It is written in simple language, concise, includes scripture references, and poems or lyrics. It’s life applications always hit home when approached prayerfully. Every major Christian denomination prints a quality devotional similar to this. If you haven’t tried this method of Bible study, please do. 
2. Compare and Contrast. I prefer the New King James Version of the Bible, but the New American Standard Bible is, to me, a close second. I also own an NIV and a couple of older King James Bibles. I often open more than one version to compare and contrast versions, which can lend new, if subtle, perspectives to a verse or passage. 
3. Topical Bible, Concordance, or Bible Dictionary. This is one of my favorite ways of studying. I can spend hours, days, or weeks using this method. Pick a topic that interests you, look it up in a Bible reference, and study the verses that speak to that subject. Then study related topics. 
4. Chronological Bible. A study that follows the Bible in chronological order is fascinating and shines light on many questions. One hint – and most chronological Bibles miss this – read the first chapter of the Gospel of John along with Genesis 1. 
5. Narrative Bible. Many people of my generation will find this recommendation foolish or offensive, but a narrative Bible can be exciting or fun, which will pique your interest and make studying easier. Many forms of narrative Bibles exist, from children’s Bibles to graphic novels to storybook to novelization. 

Bonus: mix it up, alternate, keep it fresh.