You can’t fake a sprain when the Ref made your bones.

Mark 9 says Jesus rebuked an unclean spirit and called it out publicly. He saw a boy being wrecked and immediately addressed the thing ruining him.

Jesus calls the demon a foul spirit, which is Scripture’s polite way of saying this thing has been playing dirty the entire game. Tripping. Elbowing. Throwing cheap shots when no one is looking. Technically illegal. Spiritually exhausting.

The demon throws one last tantrum on the way out. Screaming. Convulsing. Making a scene. Because dirty players always act shocked when the whistle finally blows. Jesus calls the foul and ejects the spirit.

That is what real authority looks like. Calm. Clear. Unbothered by theatrics.

We spend a lot of time learning how to manage our mess instead of naming it. We excuse habits. We tolerate patterns. We let things linger that Jesus would have ejected immediately.

Some things in your life are not quirks. They are not personality traits. They are not just how you are wired. They are fouls.

And Jesus still calls them.

Questions for the Week and Strong:

1. What keeps elbowing you in the ribs while you tell yourself it is fine?

2. When the Holy Spirit calls timeout, do you listen or keep dribbling your nonsense?

3. Are you calling it spiritual growth or just really good defense on your bad habits?

This Week in Prayer and Persistent Fouling:

Lord, I keep committing the same foul and acting surprised by the consequences. Give me the discipline to change the play instead of blaming the rules. Amen.

Disclaimer: That’s Not How You Christian is a comedy brand that uses satire, biblical references, and cultural commentary to explore faith, church life, and spiritual oddities. While our content is meant to entertain and spark reflection, it is not intended to replace personal theological study, pastoral counsel, or genuine discipleship. If you're looking for spiritual guidance, we highly recommend a real-life church, pastor, or your grandma.

We make jokes about faith because we take it seriously, and because we believe it can handle a little laughter. That said, nothing in this post should be taken as official doctrine, religious advice, or a substitute for talking to someone who knows you and your situation personally.