---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's hard to sin if you're preoccupied…"
description: "\"It's hard to sin if you're preoccupied with Jesus.\" — Derwin L. Gray"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/derwin-l-gray-30442_christian_it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-w_3133051.jpg"
---

#  It's hard to sin if you're preoccupied with Jesus.

![“It's hard to sin if you're preoccupied with Jesus.” quote by Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/derwin-l-gray-30442_christian_it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-w_3133051.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/derwin-l-gray-30442_christian_it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-w_3133051.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/derwin-l-gray-30442_christian_it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-w_3133051.jpg)

> “It's hard to sin if you're preoccupied with Jesus.”

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

If you focus on Jesus, the temptation to sin diminishes because your mind is occupied with higher purpose.

**In simple terms:** Focusing on Jesus reduces temptation.

Key Takeaway

Center your thoughts on higher values to avoid sin.

Themes

faith temptation focus

Mood

contemplative encouraging

Type

theological motivational

When to use this quote

- prayer
- daily meditation
- avoiding harmful habits
- seeking moral guidance

Key Concepts

spiritual discipline mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

- How does your daily routine keep you focused on faith?
- What distractions challenge your spiritual focus?

A Different Perspective

Even with focus, external pressures can still lead to sin.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sin/)

## Related quotes

> [I feel domesticity just slipping off me. It is a choice. Either one can let it go or one can intensify it. The people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-townsend-warner/i-feel-domesticity-just-slipping-off-me-it-is-a-choice-either-one-can/)

[Sylvia Townsend Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-townsend-warner/)

> [“The reason he could do none of the necessary things to take care of himself, on the few occasions when he thought of them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-pouncey/the-reason-he-could-do-none-of-the-necessary-things-to-take-care-of/)

[Peter Pouncey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-pouncey/)

> [Just the fact that I've lived more, and I'm not concerned about when I am going to get my next job anymore. This business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-julia/just-the-fact-that-i-ve-lived-more-and-i-m-not-concerned-about-when-i/)

[Raul Julia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-julia/)

> [I am not preoccupied about my future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-tevez/i-am-not-preoccupied-about-my-future/)

[Carlos Tevez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-tevez/)

> [When you make movies, you have to be preoccupied with the social problems, otherwise there is no point in making a movie. To have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-dumont/when-you-make-movies-you-have-to-be-preoccupied-with-the-social/)

[Bruno Dumont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-dumont/)

> [“I'm more preoccupied with furnishing my head than the place where I live. The most beautiful rooms I have entered have been empty ones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/i-m-more-preoccupied-with-furnishing-my-head-than-the-place-where-i/)

[Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/)

> [Consider any individual at any period of his life, and you will always find him preoccupied with fresh plans to increase his comfort. Do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/consider-any-individual-at-any-period-of-his-life-and-you-will-always/)

[Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/)

> [Of course, you see your body changing as you age, but it's more important to live than be too preoccupied with that sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-bisset/of-course-you-see-your-body-changing-as-you-age-but-it-s-more/)

[Jacqueline Bisset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-bisset/)

> [“But like many who are lonely, I was more preoccupied with others than were those who lived to socialize...Everyone I hated was always with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arbinger-institute/but-like-many-who-are-lonely-i-was-more-preoccupied-with-others-than/)

[Arbinger Institute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arbinger-institute/)

> [When you stand up there and do a press conference, it's a very preoccupied moment. You're standing in front of cameras; people are watching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-quinn/when-you-stand-up-there-and-do-a-press-conference-it-s-a-very/)

[Christine Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-quinn/)

> [I think there is a rage against women. I've come to see that now although at the time I did not notice it. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-young/i-think-there-is-a-rage-against-women-i-ve-come-to-see-that-now/)

[Marguerite Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-young/)

> [To keep yourself preoccupied, thousand excuses.but havent reason to meet themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/to-keep-yourself-preoccupied-thousand-excuses-but-havent-reason-to/)

Mak\_786

> [Everywhere I go, everyone I talk with, everyone I think about - their salvation is what is on my mind. I love fellowship with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-cameron/everywhere-i-go-everyone-i-talk-with-everyone-i-think-about-their/)

[Kirk Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-cameron/)

> [Without deadlines and restrictions I just tend to become preoccupied with other things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-kilmer/without-deadlines-and-restrictions-i-just-tend-to-become-preoccupied/)

[Val Kilmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-kilmer/)

> [“Preoccupied with a single leaf you won't see the tree.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vagabond/preoccupied-with-a-single-leaf-you-won-t-see-the-tree/)

Vagabond

## More by Derwin L. Gray

> [A label is a soul-tattoo that is ingrained deep in our hearts, so much so that it determines how we see ourselves, And how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/a-label-is-a-soul-tattoo-that-is-ingrained-deep-in-our-hearts-so-much/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [1 Timothy 3 lists only one gift, teaching, then follows w a list of character traits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/1-timothy-3-lists-only-one-gift-teaching-then-follows-w-a-list-of/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [Only 13.7% of churches in America are consider multiethnic. This means that 86.3 % of churches are homogenous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/only-13-7-of-churches-in-america-are-consider-multiethnic-this-means/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [You are a trophy of God's grace. He has future accomplishments with your name written on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/you-are-a-trophy-of-god-s-grace-he-has-future-accomplishments-with/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [Leaders are like point guards, we set people up to score.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/leaders-are-like-point-guards-we-set-people-up-to-score/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [Local churches are ten times more segregated than the neighborhoods they are in and they are twenty times more segregated than the schools than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/local-churches-are-ten-times-more-segregated-than-the-neighborhoods/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [I coach church planters to look at the ethnic diversity of schools and neighborhoods they are near. This will be an indicator how ethnically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/i-coach-church-planters-to-look-at-the-ethnic-diversity-of-schools/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [“The truth is, we do not have addiction problems. We have misdirected worship. I’m convinced every human being is in recovery and being weaned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/the-truth-is-we-do-not-have-addiction-problems-we-have-misdirected/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [People live out of either the hurt they feel or the healing Jesus provides. Your parents will never be perfect. And you will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/people-live-out-of-either-the-hurt-they-feel-or-the-healing-jesus/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [Substance and content over style and hype any day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/substance-and-content-over-style-and-hype-any-day/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [You cannot cast a vision that has not cast a spell over you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/you-cannot-cast-a-vision-that-has-not-cast-a-spell-over-you/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [Jesus' epic work through his sinless life, atoning death, resurrection, and ascension, and the sending of the Spirit, was so that God could have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/jesus-epic-work-through-his-sinless-life-atoning-death-resurrection/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [Being born again happens in an instant. Learning to live as a child of God takes a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/being-born-again-happens-in-an-instant-learning-to-live-as-a-child-of/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [God will crush the pride out of us one way or another. He loves us, and His glory, too much not to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/god-will-crush-the-pride-out-of-us-one-way-or-another-he-loves-us-and/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

> [We must, by God's grace, embody the vision. If not, we are duplicitous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/we-must-by-god-s-grace-embody-the-vision-if-not-we-are-duplicitous/)

[Derwin L. Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

[Explore all 17 Derwin L. Gray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/)

## More Christian quotes

> [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/)

[Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/)

> [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/)

[Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/)

> [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/)

[Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/)

> [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/)

[David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/)

> [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/)

[Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/)

> [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/)

[Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/)

> [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/)

[Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/)

> [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/)

[James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/)

> [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/)

[Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/)

> [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/)

[Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/)

> [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/)

[Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/)

> [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/)

[J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/)

[Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "It's hard to sin if you're preoccupied with Jesus.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Derwin L. Gray"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-with-jesus/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Christian"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-with-jesus/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/derwin-l-gray-30442_christian_it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-w_3133051.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/derwin-l-gray-30442_christian_it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-w_3133051.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/derwin-l-gray-30442_christian_it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-w_3133051.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“It's hard to sin if you're preoccupied with Jesus.” — Derwin L. Gray",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Derwin L. Gray",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derwin-l-gray/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "It's hard to sin if you're...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-with-jesus/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derwin-l-gray/it-s-hard-to-sin-if-you-re-preoccupied-with-jesus/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
