UNPACK This...Overcoming TemptationSample

Manu's Block

During the 2017 NBA playoffs, fans witnessed an exciting game between the Spurs and the Rockets. Thanks to the strong performance of Spurs' legend, Manu Ginobili, they pulled out a 110-107 Game Five win in overtime.

Kawhi Leonard was out with an injured ankle for San Antonio, so other guys had to step up in his absence. The Spurs had a three-point lead, but the Rockets had the ball in the closing seconds of OT when James Harden went up for the tying shot from the 3-point line.

Manu saw what was happening and put himself in a position to come up with the game-saving block. He prevented Harden from even getting his shot off and rejected his opportunity to tie the game.

The game-changing block by Manu can encourage us today. In this life, we have an opponent who is out to defeat us and looks to “put up shots” at us. Each day we face temptation, with an evil enemy trying to “score on us” when we're not alert and out of position.

Like Manu, we need to be ready to reject and block the temptation that is coming. We can’t give our opponent any space or opportunity to get a good “shot off.” We must stand firm and be willing to block the attempts that come our way.

As followers of Jesus, we know we don’t have to fight this battle alone, and we must recognize our need for strength when temptation appears. We must remember who we are in Christ, who we serve and obey, and allow God to help us block “shots” and win in those intense situations.

The Bible says in James 4:7, "So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you."

Today, let’s block, reject, and resist the devil and the evil, selfish temptations that are sure to pop up. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m thankful that with Your strength I don’t have to give in to temptation but can block the devil's attempts to try and defeat me. Please help me to stand firm and alert, so I don’t give the enemy any space to work. It’s in Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.