By Staff Writer, Matt Osborne The 2023 NFL season kicked off in exciting fashion Thursday night, as the Detroit Lions demonstrated toughness and poise by rallying for a 21-20 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions. Heading into the contest, it seemed like many people weren’t giving the Lions much of a chance to pull the upset. After all, the contest was being played on the road at a hostile Arrowhead Stadium against what has undoubtedly been the best team in the league the past few seasons. Furthermore, the Lions have a long reputation for being a team that struggles to win tight contests. But even though many fans were surprised by the outcome of the game, the coaches and players within the Lions’ organization didn't seem stunned by their ability to defeat an elite team on the road. When asked what he learned about his team after the contest, Detroit head coach, Dan Campbell responded, “I didn't learn anything, I got verification on what I already knew, and this is a resilient team.” Lions receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, made this postgame comment regarding a significant shift in the attitude of the team during his time with the organization: “My rookie year, I feel like those games were losses for us every time, just chalk it up, but now I feel like we're going to win every game. I go into every game thinking we better win, and if we don't, there's something wrong. That's just the mentality I feel like we all have, and I feel like that's what helps us going into games, that confidence, that swagger that we have.” For anyone who was paying attention, this Detroit team undoubtedly had a different level of confidence. The Lions seem to have developed a winning mindset, and it most definitely showed on the field. Similarly, as followers of Jesus, we need to develop a “winning mindset” when it comes to the way that we think about our battle against sin. 1 John 1:8 (ESV) says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Even after being regenerated by the Holy Spirit, we, as believers, are still capable of sinning because we continually live in our fallen flesh. But thankfully, Scripture also tells us we shouldn't live in despair, anticipating we'll never be able to have victory over sin on this side of eternity. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is sufficient not only to free us from the penalty of sin but from the power of sin, as well. In Romans 6:6 (NLT), the Apostle Paul writes, “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” Though we, as followers of Jesus, are entirely capable of sinning, if we're walking according to the Spirit instead of the flesh, we're no longer under the power and control of sin in our lives. For that reason, Paul goes on to say in Romans 6:11 (NLT), “So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” Just as having a winning mindset can help a football team find success on the gridiron, having a winning mindset in our battle against sin can help us see better results as we fight against temptation. This doesn’t mean we become arrogant or prideful in thinking that we'll never sin again. But it does mean that we have a healthy confidence in the fact that God has given us everything we need to resist the temptations we face. It's no longer inevitable that we must fall into sin in any given situation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Today, let’s truly believe that God has set us free from the power of sin. Let’s believe He's made a way for us to overcome temptation and to live a righteous life that's pleasing in His sight. I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to take care of both the penalty and power of sin. Please help me believe that You're willing to help me overcome the temptations I face so I might honor You. Thank you for the forgiveness You give when I do sin. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. How have you noticed a correlation between your mindset with the battle against sin and the level of obedience you have in your life?
2. How do you think you can maintain a healthy balance of believing that God will help you overcome temptation, while not being arrogant in thinking you will never sin again?
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