ONE THING IS NEEDFUL                 By Dick Millwee

Most of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha found in Luke 10:38 – 42.  Jesus and his apostles were traveling and went to the home of Mary and Martha.  Martha was busy preparing a meal for Jesus and the apostles.  In one of the rooms Martha was sitting at the feet of Jesus as he was teaching.  Martha became upset with Mary because she was not helping her to prepare a meal for Jesus and the apostles.  Martha asked Jesus to tell Mary to come and help her with the preparations.  Jesus told Martha she is distracted and encumbered by many things and for the child of God one thing was needful above all else and Mary had chosen that one thing that was needful. The “one thing” that is needful for the child of God is to hear, understand and apply the word of God to their life.

Over the years Martha has received a number of negative remarks regarding this incident.  The purpose of this article is not to accuse Martha or defend Martha.  I would like to draw our attention to the “...One thing is needful” that Jesus referenced.  What is that “one thing”?

It is apparent Jesus is impressing upon us the need to take time, and any opportunities, to hear, study, meditate, and apply the word of God to our life.  If there is “one thing” absolutely necessary to please God and lead us to heaven, it is the need to have a good working knowledge of God’s word.

Our arch enemy, Satan (1 Peter 5:8), is also aware of this.  Consequently, if he can find some way to distract us from having a strong faith that is developed by the reading, studying, and applying God’s word, he will have been successful in his efforts to destroy us for eternity in Hell.

The only tools that he has at his disposal to achieve this is found in 1 John 2:15-17. These tools are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the ,pride of life, plus our cooperation with him as he attempts to use these tools in our lives.

Notice how he worked on Martha: 1. ENCUMBERED vs.40 (To drag all around, i.e. (figuratively) to distract; draw away); 2. CAREFUL vs 41 (To be anxious; to seek to promote one’s interests); 3. WORRIED vs. 41 (To bother, to distract; disturbed”.

We are no different than Martha.  We all face problems and difficulties in life.  If we are not careful Satan will use these things to distract and worry is.  Remember when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan.  He countered every effort by Satan with a “thus saith the Lord”.  This is the one thing that will defeat Satan.  Notice, what Jesus used is available to us.  If we will use God’s word (the sword of the Spirit) when Satan attempts to distract us then just as he did in the case of Jesus, he will flee.

Brethren, let’s not let Satan succeed in distracting us from doing that “one thing” that will defeat him, that is, the study and application of God’s word in whatever circumstance we encounter in life.