Proverbs 4:25, English Standard Version

“Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.”

Both my older and younger sons are participating in their school’s marching band, and that is the main reason I go—and continue to go—to football games occasionally. Over the years, even after watching dozens of games, I still don’t fully understand what’s happening on the field. Well, everything requires effort, learning, and practice before we truly understand it.

While sitting at one of the games, I found one thing especially difficult—to stay focused. There are so many distractions at a football game. Sounds come from every direction: two marching bands, two cheer teams, crowds shouting, and shakers rattling in people’s hands throughout the stadium. I began to wonder how much desire and discipline it takes to keep our eyes and ears focused on the game.

But I am not really talking about football. I am talking about the real two teams—God and the enemy. Are our eyes and ears fixed on God? Do we miss His presence, or fail to recognize the schemes of the enemy? Maybe we are too distracted by sounds and excitement, just like at a football game, and we lose sight of the real battle taking place. Worse still, we may be clapping and cheering without realizing that the sounds, performances, and loud voices drawing our attention are not from God—but from the enemy.

“For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will provide great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect (God’s chosen ones).” (Matthew 24:24, Amplified Bible)

“The coming of the [Antichrist, the lawless] one is through the activity of Satan, [attended] with great power [all kinds of counterfeit miracles] and [deceptive] signs and false wonders [all of them lies].” (2 Thessalonians 2:9, Amplified Bible)

Even the elect—God’s chosen ones—can be deceived. This leads us to an important question we must ask ourselves as we examine our hearts: what draws our attention? Are we fixing our eyes on the storm, or on the One who calms the storm? Are we looking for the white horse, or for the One riding it? Are we walking on the broad road or the narrow path? Do we have the desire and discipline needed to keep our eyes and ears focused on the match—and on the team we truly belong to—without being distracted or redirected by things that are not the true focus?

The enemy is tricky and sneaky. Make sure your focus is on the One who leads you into a victorious life.