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WEEK EIGHT BREAKOUT: Dealing With Temptations
- Bryce Johnson
- Oct 21, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 28, 2025
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." ― James 4:7 (NIV)
Dealing With Temptations
As we discussed in Week 6's "Breakout," Fantasy Football is all about decision-making. Throughout the season, we are presented with opportunities and continually consider the various choices we have in front of us.
Another way to look at it is that we often experience temptation as Fantasy managers. When certain trade offers are on the table or players are available to pick up, we can find ourselves saying out loud or thinking to ourselves, “Ah, it’s tempting,” but we know deep down that it could be costly to us. When we're enticed to trade away a key veteran player for the "hot rookie," we must consider the consequences of giving in to such a temptation!
Here are some examples of other temptations that are always coming at Fantasy managers:
During the draft, we are often tempted to…
Reach for a player who is ranked significantly lower and is more likely to be available later on.
Draft the player who has proven to be injury-prone throughout his career.
Draft a player who was bad for our team last year, but think this year will be different.
Draft the big-name player who is suspended for multiple games or already expected to miss games due to injury, even though he won’t help our team for a while.
During the season, we are tempted to…
Drop a player after a slow start to the season.
Trade a very talented player who is underperforming.
Add a mediocre player who has an easy schedule coming up.
Start a player who has one big game...and bench another player who had one bad game.
Add a player off waivers who we think will go off (but hasn't yet) and start him right away.
Make a trade we know deep down is lopsided because we're desperate.
Give up on the season after we lose a few games or have multiple injured players.
There are countless decisions we are presented with, and often, they are temptations that, if we choose to give in to, would ultimately harm our team.
As we know, Fantasy Football is highly unpredictable. It’s very challenging to figure out the best decisions to make. However, the more we play Fantasy Football, we learn from past mistakes and begin to understand how to say no to the temptations we realize will derail our season. The more we experience the ins and outs of Fantasy, we're likely to choose the right players, see more clearly when a temptation pops up, and have the confidence not to give in.
When it comes to life, temptations are also constantly coming at us. We are tempted by others, the culture, our selfish nature, and by the devil and the evil forces of this world. Lies and momentary pleasures tempt us, and if we choose to give in, they will hurt our lives in the long run.
That’s why 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) warns us to, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
James 1:13-15 (AMP) tells us, “Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God' [for temptation does not originate from God but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed, and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion). Then when the illicit desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death.”
We must recognize the temptation and resist it quickly as we fight with prayer and the truth from Scripture. Thankfully, as followers of Jesus, instead of giving in to temptation, we can ask God to provide us with the strength to stand firm and show us a way out.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT) tells us, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
The verse from earlier continues in 1 Peter 5:9 (AMP), “But resist him (the devil), be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.]”
We are all facing the challenges of this evil world, the many sufferings, and the temptation to give up or give in. But the more time we spend in God's Word and experience His guidance, the more easily we can recognize when we're being spiritually attacked and tempted to sin and do the wrong thing. If our faith is firmly rooted in Christ and we memorize Scripture, we're more equipped to respond powerfully to temptation as the Holy Spirit helps us recall God's truth.
As we continue to follow Jesus, He helps us grow in our ability to resist temptation, and we learn how to avoid certain situations that may lead to further temptation.
Also, while we trust Him for His help, we recognize that He was tempted while here on earth and understands what we are going through.
Hebrews 4:15 (AMP) says, “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.”
Whether in Fantasy or life, the temptations will always be there. But instead of falling into traps and giving in when tempted, let’s resist and do what we know is best. Every day, let’s choose to obey God and make wise decisions. Even when temptation is strong, let’s realize He is stronger and will give us the strength we need to overcome.
Heavenly Father, please give me the strength I need to resist temptation. I want to obey You and make wise choices, and I need Your help. Thank you for showing me a way out. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
1. In what ways have you been tempted this Fantasy season, but didn't give in?
2. In what ways have you been tempted this Fantasy season, but did give in and are dealing
with the consequences?
3. How do you identify a Fantasy temptation?
4. How often are you tempted in Fantasy to make decisions that benefit you short-term, but
cause future consequences?
5. In what ways are you most often tempted in life?
6. How do you usually respond to temptation?
7. What are the strongest temptations you struggle the most to not give in to?
8. What used to be a major temptation that no longer tempts you in the same way?
9. How have you learned to rely on God when temptations pop up?
10. How have you learned to avoid certain temptations that are avoidable?
Kellen Winslow has collected the most PPR Fantasy points by a tight end in a game, with 57.4 points versus the Oakland Raiders on November 22, 1981. ― Statmuse.com
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