Super Bowl week is here and if we turn on any sports shows this week, chances are, analysts will mention the word “disguise” while breaking down the matchup. Both teams have been watching game films on one another and devising a game plan to win, which includes incorporating strategies of deception. Once the game kicks off, the Chiefs’ defense will implement disguises in coverage to throw off 49ers quarterback, Brock Purdy. The 49ers' defense will do something similar throughout the game as they will attempt to appear like they’re running man coverage, but will actually be in zone coverage. We also know how dangerous both offenses can be. Before each play, both teams will try to fool the defenders by how they line up and deceive them into thinking they’re going to run in one direction but have every intention to go the other way. Most of us as fans don’t realize all that’s happening while the quarterback is reading the defense before the snap. However, he’s busy trying to figure out what the defense is up to while determining how a defender is attempting to sell him or convince him of his false intentions on the play. In recent years, the Chiefs have had tremendous success for several reasons, but their creativity on offense (especially how they execute trick plays), is a big factor in beating defenses. They fake like they’re going to do one thing and then do something different. They also can create confusion for defenses by sending players in motion and lining up in unique formations. The 49ers' defense will have a tough test on Sunday, but they will be ready with their own tricky tactics. On some plays, they will pretend like they’re blitzing when they aren’t or they will try to mislead Patrick Mahomes into reading the wrong coverage based on what they reveal during the pre-snap. It’s going to be a fascinating game to watch and no question that disguises will be an integral part of the action. Whoever executes better deception will most likely have an advantage. When it comes to our own lives, the ability to deceive others may give us an advantage for a while, but unlike football, it’s not what leads to winning. If we aren’t careful, we can put on a disguise and pretend that we are someone we aren't. We can mislead people with false intentions or conceal what our true motivations are. We can also be fake with people about what’s going on in our lives. It’s so tempting to trick others into thinking we’ve got it all together or that we’re doing everything right. Too often we try to convince or sell people on something about us that isn’t true. We may say we’re going to “run in one direction,” but have every intention to go the other way. However, as followers of Jesus, we’re called to live honest and holy lives marked by truth. Yes, we’re imperfect, but we can live authentically in grace and love without deception and disguises. Ephesians 4:25 (AMP) tells us, “Therefore, rejecting all falsehood , speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another .” 1 Peter 2:1 (NLT) says, “So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.” Proverbs 12:22 (NLT) states, “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth.” Today, let’s drop the disguises and choose to be genuine with what we say and do. Let’s be honest before the Lord and others as we confess any ways we’ve been deceiving, misleading, and pretending. Although the trick plays are awesome in the NFL, in life, we don’t get away with the trickery for long because “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known” (Luke 12:2; ESV). I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to live a genuine and authentic life, and show me how to confidently live a life marked by the truth. Please forgive me for the ways I’ve misled and deceived others, and give me pure motives and intentions as I desire to obey You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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