Episodes 3 and 4 of the highly anticipated documentary, The Last Dance, aired last night on ESPN. One of the key storylines explored was how the Chicago Bulls overcame a forceful and competitive adversary before becoming champions.
As the Bulls took steps toward their team development and figuring out how to play at a high level, they struggled to get past the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs.
Known as the “Bad Boys” because of their physical intensity (especially around the basket), the Pistons beat up the Bulls and knocked them out of the playoffs for three straight years.
The Pistons wanted to intimidate, irritate, and push players to the ground. Their schemes and strategy were all about attacking, and they specifically tried to stop Michael Jordan by implementing “The Jordan Rules” (shown in the image above).
As challenging as it was for the Bulls to get knocked down and knocked out for three straight years, it led them to make significant changes.
Jordan hit the weights to get stronger and more prepared to handle the beating. He also motivated his teammates to get tougher so they could withstand what was happening “in the paint.”
Instead of sitting around and giving up after repeated beatdowns from the Pistons, they stuck together. The following year they faced the Pistons again, and this time swept them out of the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Chicago Bulls transformed into a physically strong and mentally tough team, which resulted in winning six NBA Finals.
There are multiple nuggets to unpack from last night’s documentary. The reality is, we all have an adversary that attempts to knock us down, knock us out, intimidate, and attack us.
Satan has schemes and strategies specifically designed for us and our weaknesses. He wants to trap us, blindside us, and trick us into going the wrong way.
That’s why we are told in 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV), “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Inevitably, there are going to be times in our faith journey when we get beat by our adversary a few times in a row, but hopefully, this leads us to change and take steps toward building spiritual strength and toughness.
1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT) encourages us to “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.”
Jordan embraced his need for strength training to overcome his opponent, and we need to do something similar.
1 Timothy 4:8 (AMP) tells us, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”
We have to continue to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God and His Word while continuing to build our life on a firm foundation.
We can’t give up or give in. Instead, we must recognize where our strength ultimately comes from and “hit the weights” when we’re feeling weak.
Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV) says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Each day when we step “onto the floor,” the only way to combat everything that gets thrown at us is by relying on the strength of the Lord and His armor.
Just like the Bulls experienced their weaknesses, and losses turned into great strength, we encounter something even more amazing as followers of Jesus.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV), the apostle Paul explains what Jesus told him:
…“’My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
No matter what happens when we “get into the paint,” when our strength is from the Lord, we’ll be able to withstand it.
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for being my strength. I acknowledge that I’m weak and can’t defeat the adversary on my own. Please help me to stand firm and fight against the schemes of the devil. Thank you for transforming me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Discussion Questions for PACKS:
- What weaknesses do you need to rely on the Lord for strength?
- What schemes does the enemy use against you in your life?
