Could Football (or Any Other Sport) Cost Us Our Soul?

I love sports.

That needs to be said right at the outset of this article. Often, I read or hear people talk about how sports are ruining society, but they are people who do not like sports in the first place. (It would be somewhat like me writing about how shoe shopping is ruining us!)

It is great to go to games and relax in front of the TV at times to watch a good game. As I said, I love sports.

All that said, today I am writing a post to me first, but one I pray will be read as it is intended. The title of this article is meant to ask exactly what it says.

Is it possible that a sport could cost us our soul?

The answer is yes.

Knowing that, I think that many Christians–including this author–need to do some serious self-evaluation along these lines. I don’t care if you’re a preacher, an elder, a Bible class teacher, or whatever. There are many Christians who–by their actions and words–clearly put sports above their faith.

How do I know that? Let me share some things that I see on a regular basis and just ask us each to evaluate our own lives.

If someone were to read your social media timeline (Twitter, Facebook, etc.), what would they conclude is usually on your mind? I am amazed at how often some Christians post on social media about sports. It is throughout the day, every day (to borrow a Biblical phrase, “in season and out of season!”). And before someone says, “Well, it’s just a random thought that takes, like, 10 seconds to post,” may I remind you that it is also showing where your mind is constantly going? What else are those who follow you on social media to conclude, other than that your mind drifts toward sports more often than it does what is spiritual?

How many Christians will drop a ton of money on a weekend trip to a football game (after having paid a decent little amount to watch a high school game on Friday night, by the way), but can scarcely find $10 to give to the Lord on Sunday morning? After all, the pilgrimage to the football stadium is an experience we won’t soon forget. (I guess worshiping the Creator is all too forgettable, then?)

Deep down within you, what do you anticipate more: kickoff or worship? Which gets your blood flowing and the excitement welling up inside of you more? Are you more built up by a school fight song, or by a hymn of praise to God?

Maybe the clearest evaluation is this: which do you talk about more? It amazes me, but there are times when I can go to worship and hear more casual conversations before or after services about the game on Friday night or Saturday than I hear about Jesus. I am just as guilty as anyone else of this, but it is something I am working on, because it shows where our mind really is.

Trust me, in writing those things, I said “ouch!” more than one time.

But does this really matter? I mean, if we keep up with all the sports excitement, could it cost us our soul?

I need to be constantly reminded of one simple fact that we teach our kids and young people, but I think we too often forget as adults: the definition of idolatry. An idol is anyone or anything that takes the primary place of God in our lives. Money can be an idol. Fame can be an idol.

And, yes, football (or any other sport) can be an idol, too.

I am not suggesting that we avoid sports. The Apostle Paul clearly enjoyed sports, judging by the ways he used references to them in his writings. Sports for exercise and recreation are a great thing, as they help us build up our bodies and they provide an “outlet” for people, which is usually wholesome.

That said, when we begin to talk more about “our team” than our Lord’s church, spend more time thinking about sports than Scripture, and begin to find more excitement in a touchdown than in salvation, is there any other way to conclude than that sports have become an idol?

And won’t any idol keep us from heaven?

Yes, football–or basketball, baseball…any sport–can cause us to lose our soul. Christians, I beg each of us to do some serious examination, so that we do not exchange an eternity in heaven for a 60-minute game.

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive perishable wreath, but we an imperishable…But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:25, 27)

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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn