The Christian and Competition

The soccer (or football, depending on where you're from) excitement has more or less died down now, it would seem, but I feel it's still fresh enough to make the post relevant.

Even before I was a Christian, I didn't care hardly at all about sports. The only thing that got me excited was the Red Soxs beating the Yankees, but I wasn't a fanatic by any means. When I joined Higher Ground, competitive sports were still OK, and even when I became an SDA nothing much was said about it. In fact, some pastors even condoned it, as they still do today. I didn't learn about it being wrong until I had been in the faith for awhile, via a CD by Pastor Hal Meyer. When I heard it, it made sense-so much sense, in fact, that I wonder how I didn't see it before then. I can only conclude that I was blinded, and I want to share with you what removed the veil, so to speak, in case any of you are in the same boat I was.

Whether good or evil, every practice produces something. Stop and ask yourself: what sort of things do competitive sports-better yet, what does competition itself produce? Does it produce a meek, humble, gentle, and self-sacrificing spirit? The spirit of our LORD? Or does it instead produce a desire for supremacy, a thirst for more and still more achievement, in the participant? Where sports are concerned, does it not only create this in the player, but also strife amongst the followers of the various teams? Don't think that you can be one who passively enjoys watching sports without eventually imbibing the same spirit. To think so would be fooling yourself.

Along with ungodly ambition, pride, and animosity, competition breeds needless worry, stress, and sorrow. I have been told Germany won, and is already worried about winning the next game. I've heard Brazil is depressed over losing, and people are threatening the individual held responsible with  death. Is that good fruit? No. All of it is the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19, 20). Later on in the same chapter, we are directly counseled: "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (vv. 25-26).

Lastly, the events-whether sports or otherwise-competed in are transitory. The so-called glory lasts only for a moment. In heaven there will be no competition period. The former things will not be remembered. (Isaiah 65:17).

After considering the outcome of competition in all its forms, it's not hard to conclude that it is sin, and the Bible says "...Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19). The Christian should shun seeing and doing such things. It might be difficult at first; life might seem boring, and people might think you're weird, but if you consent to take up this your cross, to wear Christ's yoke, "...ye shall find rest unto your souls." (Matthew 11:29). More than that, if you lay aside that weight, you will be freer to run the race which all may win, and in which the winnings are incorruptible. Hebrews 12:1, 2; 1 Corinthians 9:24, 25b.

Blessings,
Jean

Please note: If any facts concerning the recent sports event are incorrect, I apologize. I don't follow it; everything stated is only what I've heard.