Many Christians use the devil as an excuse for their lack of spiritual fruitfulness. Many blame the devil for their lack of ability to overcome sin in their daily lives. The phrase “the devil made me do it” was used by a popular comedian of the 60’s and 70’s era. And it has now become the escape route for many Christians to cover up their spiritual immaturity and their lazy attitude of obedience to God’s Commandments. However, the problem is not the devil, but the entanglement of the child of God in the “cares of this world.”

That is, they push to experience the so-called “American Dream.” This desire to attain a level of comfort brought about by the obtaining of fame, of wealth, and of the “things” of this world, has caused the child of God to focus on acquiring these “things” of the world. This has choked the Word of the Kingdom of God; and thus they “becometh unfruitful.” The problem is not the devil; the problem is what the child of God has set his heart to seek.

Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (food, clothes, shelter, etc.) shall be added unto you.” Also see Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

The truth of the matter is, the child of God is not to worry or fret over or about the cares of this life. Paul said, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

That is, the old man is dead; he has been crucified (Romans 6:6-9). Our focus is not to be upon this world; but upon the Kingdom of God, and pleasing God by keeping His Commandments (1 John 2:3-6). Then you do not have to worry or fret over the cares of this world (Matthew 6:33b).

Where is your focus today? Where is your frustration today? Is it over the cares of this life? Or is it over God? The answer is plain and simple. Our worry, our frustration, our jealousy, our covetousness is over wanting more and more of this world’s goods. You either want more or are trying to get more, and then you wonder why you are so worried and upset, and even at times physically sick. The answer is: Your focus is on the cares of this world, and not on God and His Promises.

As long as your main goal is “the cares of this world”; the Word will be choked and you will be unfruitful.