Distracted to Death

The rise of technology has created a new problem. People are so distracted that it is placing them in physical danger, possibly even bringing death. In a distracted condition, one does not see the danger until it is too late.
Why do people put themselves into such dangerous positions? Are we giving into these distractions? Can distractions really kill us?
Distracted driving is definitely one that can take lives. Texting while driving has taken so many lives that the government has set laws in place against doing it. Even looking at your phone while driving can be dangerous. Distracted driving can be other things such as eating, picking something up, reading (yes, I have seen this), and anything that takes your eyes off the road. It only takes a moment, and things can change from being in control to out of control.
Video game deaths have started to rise because the players are playing for so long that the body shuts down or becomes exhausted to the point that the person dies. People will play for hours or even days. Many people will say it’s their way to cope with life. They enter another world and live a virtual life, and the pains of reality go away. For some, they will be distracted to death. Most of the games even have counters on them to tell you how long you have played the game and how much life you have wasted away. When people are distracted for hours, it harms the body.
There are more ways people are physically dying by being distracted. Extreme selfies, overeating, smoking, drugs, and alcohol are some of these. With new inventions, the list continues to grow. There are times where being distracted on the job or in life can cause an accident, and tragedy ensues.
In the end, distractions produce the same result as suicide. Do we understand how serious being distracted can be?! If we keep ourselves from the things the world holds valuable, then we will be spared from most deadly distractions. However, we must be careful that we do not let the simple distractions each day lead us into danger. We have to care about our life and focus on what is essential so that God can continue to work in us. God gave us this life, formed in His image, and we must live with as few distractions as possible. Our minds need to be free to focus on our present responsibilities and protect the lives of those around us.
There is a parallel concern that goes even deeper. Second Corinthians 11:3 says, But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtility, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
People are so distracted that it is killing them spiritually! Entertainment, money, vacations, careers, relationships, media, and hobbies all can distract us from our love for Christ. A quick distraction could lead us to a long-term commitment with sin and then spiritual death. Ezekiel 33:18 teaches us, When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. Just like with video games, a distraction with sin that lasts a long time always leads to spiritual death.
Could we find ourselves giving into distractions that lead to spiritual death? Perhaps we don’t see the danger until it is too late. What can we do about it? For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Rom 8:5-6)
We are called to focus on Christ and stay in control of our thoughts and bodies. When our mind is focused on Christ, we live in peace, and we enjoy the safety of walking with Him. We can know we are not distracted when we are in the Word, when we spend time in prayer, or when we ask Him to use us by His will. When we have the right focus, we will not be sidetracked by temptations to be distracted. If we have the right spiritual mind when we are distracted, we will be attentive to His will in our lives. We will be observant of needs around us and see the others that are frustrated by the distractions in this life. If we are sensitive to what they are going through, we may be able to help them find the direction Christ has for them.
I pray that we can all avoid the dangerous distractions in our lives that can lead us to physical death, or more seriously into spiritual and eternal death. Let us not be distracted to death.