The Thin Line

Exactly one week ago today, the Detroit Pistons appeared to be on the brink of one of the greatest postseason disappointments in NBA history.

After earning the top seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs by putting together an impressive 60-22 regular season, the Pistons were seemingly on the verge of a shocking first-round elimination at the hands of the Orlando Magic. 

Orlando held a surprising 3-2 series lead over the Pistons and appeared to be cruising to a series-clinching victory in Game 6, leading by 24 points in the second half at home.

It was at that time, however, that something clicked for the Pistons.

Detroit not only completed a stunning comeback to beat the Magic in Game 6, but the Pistons have added three more straight wins and find themselves up two games to none in their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Following Thursday night's 107-97 win over Cleveland, Pistons guard Cade Cunningham reflected on his team's near-early departure and how Detroit has bounced back from that adversity.

He commented, "It taught us how fragile and how thin of a line is that comes between winning and losing. So, being up 2-0 right now, we know it's a thin line still. So, it's one game at a time."    

Given his team's play over the past week, Cunningham has seen how quickly things can turn around in the NBA. He knows that, although the Pistons have been finding ways to win games recently, all it takes is for Detroit to let its guard down ever so slightly for the team to find itself on the wrong end of outcomes. 

As followers of Jesus, it’s even more imperative that we refuse to let our guard down when we’re experiencing success in our spiritual life.

Whenever we feel like we are in a good season of resisting temptation, battling against sin, or remaining strong in our spiritual disciplines, we must not forget that, if we aren't careful and intentional, things can change quickly.

The Bible actually warns believers about the dangers of letting their guards down due to spiritual pride or overconfidence. 

1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) says, "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."

While we can be grateful and thank God for His grace whenever we successfully fight against temptation, we must not allow that victory to lull us into complacency, where we think we are somehow immune from falling in the future.

Though we might have experienced victory on a particular occasion, our enemy is persistent and will continue to look for opportunities to wage war against us.

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) tells us, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

This constant threat of bombardment and attack from our enemy should absolutely motivate us to higher levels of diligence and urgency in our spiritual lives. We know that, as sinful humans, the difference between obedience and disobedience can often be a "thin line."

In other words, it only takes a minute for us to let our guard down and become vulnerable to the lure of sin.

Ultimately, the key to being on the right side of the line spiritually is taking time to commune with God and allow Him to lead us in all that we do.

In John 15:5 (NASB), Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

The correlation is simple: When we abide in Christ, we produce much fruit (faithful service that glorifies God, loving others, character like Jesus). When we don't, we become spiritually unproductive.

Galatians 5:16 (ESV) further reminds us, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."

Today, let's keep our guard up and be aware of the “thin line”. Let’s be intentional to abide in Christ, seeking Him for the strength that we need to stand strong against temptation and to produce much fruit for His glory.

Though we must not give in to spiritual pride, we absolutely can take confidence in the fact that God is both able and willing to help us live more fully for Him.

I'm Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for faithfully supplying me with everything I need to live a life that is pleasing to You. Please help me abide in You and remain humbly dependent upon the power You provide. I ask that You produce much fruit in my life to bring You glory. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.