UNPACK This...Overcoming TemptationSample

Pulling the Goalie

In a sport such as hockey, not every position is created equally. While every player must work together to accomplish the ultimate team goals, some individuals take on greater responsibility than others.

The player with the greatest individual control of the outcome of a hockey contest is undoubtedly the goalie - the player responsible for preventing the other team from scoring.

With goalies playing such a vital role in a team's success, head coaches are often forced to make the difficult decision to "pull the goalie" (substitute players) when the starting goalie is proving to be ineffective.

Each day we face temptations, sinful thoughts, and spiritual attacks. That means we must be aware of what’s trying to enter our “net” or our mind. We have to protect ourselves from letting the wrong things in and be careful not to allow cultural messaging, lies from the enemy, and other doubts to slide into “our goal.”

To be better protected in the “net,” God provides us the proper equipment or armor we need to make changes, go in a different direction, and “pull the goalie.”

Ephesians 6:14-17 explains, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Today, let’s be encouraged to know God doesn’t leave us alone in the "goal" to allow an opening for the “puck” to get by us. Instead, He provides His powerful Spirit and Word to strengthen us and protect us from all of the temptations we face in our "net." I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for providing me with armor to remain protected against temptations and lies. I pray You’d replace sinful thoughts with Your truth. Thank you for Your grace. I Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.