In America, there is a diversity of religions. Whether you’re Muslim, Jewish, Christian, etc. There is a vast array of different beliefs within our culture. Are we missing one though? What about the world of entertainment? Particularly sports. Do we put athletes on a pedestal that they shouldn’t be on? Who do you serve?
Let’s look and see what the Bible says about this issue and whether we do follow the religion of sports.
Until this year I would say I worshipped sports. Sports to me was a religion. Sports were higher than God. My emotions, my time, my life revolved around how my team or teams were doing. If they won, I was on a high, if they lost… it would ruin my day. Unfortunately, I believe our country does indeed worship sports.
Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other, you cannot serve God and man.” Clearly, God is saying I must be number one nothing else! Sports included!
So often we portray sports figures as idols. Even Tim Tebow as godly as he is can become an idol. Anything you replace God with is an idol. I got to see Dwayne Wade up close when I interned with Fox Sports. He was my favorite player on the Miami Heat. I also have a picture of him in my room. (Tim Tebow’s and Peyton Manning’s as well)
Now obviously looking up to role models isn’t bad. However, when they take God’s place that’s when we need to look in the mirror and reevaluate ourselves. All in all, it’s just a game. In the grand scheme of life who cares? Your team lost and is it really going to change your life? (Unless you bet a ton of money and lost).
I need to be reminded of this as well. All too often I get caught up in the emotion of the game or games and get mad, yell, etc. Now am I saying getting excited is a bad thing? No of course not. It’s when we let the game become so important that unless your team wins, it will affect your emotional output.
Winning and losing are purely psychological. If we are so concerned with what the scoreboard is saying, we miss out on enjoying the game! One way you can determine whether Sports is a religion is what do you devote your time to? Are you constantly diving into God’s word, prayer, fellowship, etc. or are you constantly watching games, skipping Bible study to watch or play a sport and not focus on Christ?
I know this year I wasn’t near as invested in sports as I have been in the past. Why? Because simply put there are more important, more spiritual, more devoted to God things besides football. (Or any other sport). When we get to heaven will we be saying oh remember who won that Superbowl? Or broke that record? Or did that crazy play? Probably not.
Matt 6:19-21 simply states, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, and where thieves break in and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Are you worried about your team winning a title? Worry about the homeless, worry about bringing the gospel to people! Worry about things that matter. Because at the end of the day no one is going to care about who won a certain game, but they will remember that person’s legacy and what they did for Christ.
So, I leave you with this question: Who do you serve? God or Sports? If you say God awesome! Is it sports? Again, I struggle with this as well, but we need to realize what’s more important: Growing and living a life for Christ, Or who hoisted the Lombardi trophy at the end of the season? Who will you serve?
