The reigning Super Bowl champion, Los Angeles Rams, are off to a slow start this season with a 2-2 record. What’s most concerning is the struggles of quarterback Matthew Stafford who leads the league with six interceptions. On Monday night in their 24-9 loss to the 49ers, Stafford threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, lost a fumble, and was sacked seven times. Although not completely all his fault, the miscues involved poor decision-making. Rams head coach, Sean McVay, knows the team has to improve. After the offense’s inability to score a touchdown against the 49ers, he made it clear they have to clean up the mental mistakes moving forward. McVay said, “The story of the night from an offensive perspective was self-inflicted wounds, above-the-neck errors where we’re not doing the things we’re capable of, and I expect us to be better than that.” As sports fans, we know how turnovers and sacks negatively affect teams and how critical it is for players to do what they can to avoid those costly mistakes. They have to think differently, prepare better, and make wiser decisions. They have to be able to see things more clearly while demonstrating self-discipline and focus. Similarly, as followers of Jesus, we can avoid many of the “self-inflicted” wounds that take place because of poor decisions, foolishness, and selfishness by living our lives with wisdom from God, self-discipline, focus, and preparation. In order for us to improve our “above-the-neck errors” and make better decisions, we must ask God to help us renew our minds. As Paul writes in Romans 12:2 (AMP), “And do not be conformed to this world , but be transformed and progressively changed by the renewing of your mind , so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect .” Jesus invites us to follow Him. When we do, He leads us away from the “self-inflicted” wounds that set us back and prevent us from doing “the things we’re capable of.” When we do make mistakes and poor decisions, and experience turnovers or “self-inflicted wounds,” we must confess, receive forgiveness, and make the proper adjustments. We repent, ask God to help us understand His will, and strive to live a fruitful life. Ephesians 5:17 (ESV) give us this important challenge: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Thankfully, God gives us His Spirit to empower and enable us to make wise decisions, as well as, be self-controlled and self-disciplined. We're reminded of this in 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP): “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline .” During a football game, players are going to miss tackles, drop passes, and overthrow receivers. Likewise, we’re also going to make mistakes in our lives. But as in football, so many “self-inflicted wounds” are avoidable when we operate with wisdom and self-discipline. Today, let’s follow Jesus in the way we should go, thank Him for His grace and the wounds He took on our behalf, and remember the “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless” (Proverbs 14:16; ESV). I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to be obedient and live in a way that is honoring to You. I know it requires wisdom and self-discipline, so please help me live by the Spirit and follow Jesus so I can avoid unnecessary self-inflicted wounds. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What are some self-inflicted wounds that have happened in your life because you lacked wisdom and self-discipline?
2. How can you gain more wisdom and have more self-discipline?
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