Guarding Against Distraction

Luke 10:38–42 (NIV)

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Introduction: When Good Things Compete with the Best

In Luke 10:38–42, we meet two sisters, Martha and Mary. Both loved Jesus. Both welcomed Him. Both desired to honor Him. Yet only one posture was called “better.”

This passage is not a rebuke of service. It is a warning about distraction; even when the distraction comes wrapped in good intentions. Let’s slow down and reflect.

What Is Distraction?

Distraction is anything that diverts our attention away from what matters most in a given moment. Spiritually speaking, distraction is not always sinful activity; it is often misplaced focus. It is allowing secondary things to crowd out primary devotion.

Distraction:

• Pulls our heart away from intimacy with Christ

• Fills our mind with anxiety and comparison

• Makes us busy but not necessarily fruitful

• Causes us to serve God without first sitting with Him

In Martha’s case, distraction wasn’t laziness. It wasn’t rebellion. It was busyness without abiding.

Why Was Martha’s Good Intent a Distraction?

Martha was doing something honourable: preparing her home for Jesus. Hospitality in Jewish culture was sacred. Her service mattered.

So why did Jesus gently correct her?

1. Her Service Produced Anxiety

Jesus said she was “worried and upset about many things.” When good works produce inner turmoil, something is misaligned. Service that flows from communion brings peace. Service that replaces communion brings pressure.

2. She Shifted from Serving to Comparing

Martha began serving Jesus, but then she began comparing herself to Mary.

“Lord, don’t you care…?” Distraction often moves us from devotion to resentment.

3. She Valued Activity Over Presence

Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, a posture of discipleship, humility, and hunger.

Martha chose productivity. Jesus was not dismissing service. He was restoring priority.Presence precedes productivity.

Mary chose “what is better” not because serving is wrong, but because sitting at His feet is foundational.

Modern-Day Good Intentions That Can Distract Believers

Distraction today often wears a spiritual disguise. Here are some “good” things that can quietly compete with intimacy with Christ:

1. Serving in Ministry Without Personal Devotion

Leading worship. Teaching Bible study. Organising church events. All good. But if preparation replaces prayer, we become spiritually dry. You can work for God and slowly drift from walking with God.

2. Consuming Christian Content Without Communion

Podcasts. Sermons. Devotionals. Books. Learning about God is beautiful, but it is not the same as being with Him. Information should lead to intimacy, not replace it.

3. Career Ambition “For God’s Glory”

Working hard to provide for your family or represent Christ in the workplace is noble. But when ambition crowds out Sabbath, stillness, and Scripture, it becomes distraction.

Even godly goals can eclipse God Himself.

4. Social Media Ministry

Posting verses. Creating reels. Sharing encouragement. These are powerful tools.

But if we spend more time curating our faith than cultivating it, we risk spiritual shallowness.

Public faith must be anchored in private surrender.

5. Family Responsibilities Without Spiritual Anchoring

Caring for children. Supporting a spouse. Managing a home. These are sacred callings.

Yet even family life can become so full that we forget to sit at the feet of Jesus together.

The One Thing Needed

Jesus said, “Few things are needed — or indeed only one.”

The “one thing” is not laziness. It is not disengagement. It is not abandoning responsibility.

It is prioritizing presence.

Before we:

• Lead

• Serve

• Post

• Teach

• Build

• Plan

We sit.

We listen.

We receive.

Because you cannot pour from a cup you never fill.

A Gentle Heart Check

Ask yourself:

• Is my service flowing from intimacy or replacing it?

• Am I anxious in my ministry?

• Have I confused being busy with being faithful?

• When was the last time I simply sat in God’s presence without an agenda?

Jesus did not shame Martha. He called her by name twice. “Martha, Martha…”

Correction wrapped in compassion.

Closing Encouragement

The enemy rarely tempts mature believers with obvious rebellion. He tempts us with overcommitment. Guard your quiet place. Protect your prayer time. Defend your attention.

Choose what is better. May we be believers who serve faithfully, but only after we have first sat at His feet.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, free us from anxious striving. Teach us to value Your presence above our productivity. Help us to choose what is better and guard our hearts from distractions that wear holy disguises. Amen.