Our Relationship With Sports

The world of sports draws us in, but when does interest become an idol?

In 2000, at the inaugural Laureus World Sports Awards, Nelson Mandela declared the following about sports: 

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”1

It would be difficult to argue against this statement, especially in the context of our world. However, I also suggest that Nelson Mandela identified sports as a significant idol for much of the world. Consider its claims of changing the world, uniting, inspiring, and providing hope to a hopeless world. Are these not the promises of the one true God?

How should I, as a disciple of Christ, interact with the culture I am surrounded by, especially when it can make such bold claims? This has been an ever-present challenge throughout every generation since the time of Jesus. Should I fight against cultural influences or just dabble in them occasionally? Is it okay to be immersed in them, or should I run and hide from them? Where are the lines between what is destructive, what is lawful, and what edifies? These types of discussions often stir up conflicts and lead to legalistic thinking.

We should all agree, though, that if we are unwilling to be critical of our behaviors and habits, we will very likely end up journeying down a road that leads to idolatry.

Why Are We Enamored with Sport?

Let us examine our complex relationship with sports with a willing spirit of self-criticism. Amid all our culture’s trappings, sports must be one of the most captivating. Let’s begin by examining why we are so enamored with sports.

First and foremost, we have been created with an innate sense of play. We enjoy running, jumping, playful wrestling, kicking, and throwing a ball from a very early age. We began to play passed-down games with a more developed set of rules and purpose, like hide and seek, tag, and capture the flag. Eventually, we may participate in even more organized sports and leagues. Community or school sports participation can provide many physical, mental, and social benefits. Under the right circumstances, we can learn to work with others towards a common goal, appreciate the need for rules, and learn the importance of winning and losing with grace and respect. The Apostle Paul was able to pull various vivid lessons from the world of sport. (e.g., 1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:8; Philippians 3:13-14; Galatians 5:7; Hebrews 12:1-3).

The following chart from an organization called “National Institute for Play” compiled significant research on the importance of play in our lives. This organization details specific attributes developed or neglected depending on whether we play as a child.2

Play and sport can be viewed as a tremendous gift from God that provides us with many physical, social, and mental benefits. But why does this ingrained love of play continue when we simply observe others participating in the play?

I suggest that we stand in awe of the athletes themselves. We are astonished at their speed, agility, coordination, endurance, strength, and control. Their mastery of skills is often beyond comprehension. We then add to this awe the intrigue of the unknown. Every season, every game, every play builds our anticipation as we eagerly await the outcome. 

In addition to this, we are fascinated by the endless storylines that crisscross the teams and the players’ lives. The quest of the underdog, battling through injury, a mid-season blockbuster trade, or the veteran seeking his or her first championship. Our interest intensifies as we mix in city or national pride, and the teams or players become a part of our identity. We wear their jerseys, imitate their moves, and memorize their statistics. We rejoice when they rejoice and weep when they weep. We create communities of fellow fans and believers and enjoy fellowship around the staffroom lunch table, talking about our team and their performance. 

Some people join fantasy leagues and become even more immersed in the sport of choice. Others lose themselves in the world of gambling in sports, which takes the level of interest and investment to a whole new level. Sometimes, our captivation brings out other emotions that demonstrate a deeper emotional investment, such as our lust for violence or our desire for retribution when perceived injustice has occurred. Deeply entwined in all of this is the gigantic multimedia complex that inundates us with spectacle after spectacle and advertisement after advertisement.

When Does Interest Become An Idol?

As you can see, the world of sports draws us in. But where are the lines that should not be crossed? When does interest become an idol? Of course, every person must ask this question of themselves, but I would like to provide guidance for our self-critique.

1. What do we talk about most?

Jesus told us, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21). Then he also observes, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart.” (Matthew 15:18). We should all know from experience that when we fall in love with something or someone, we can’t stop talking about it. When I was a kid, and someone was ever caught going on and on about a topic, they would soon be mocked by a peer who would say, “If you love it so much, why don’t you marry it!”. 

So, how often and with how much intensity do we converse about sports? Of course, this is not to say we need to avoid all sports-related exchanges, but perhaps we could do some accounting of our topics of conversation and consider how we could make some changes so that we speak more regularly of things that hold real value.

2. What do we pay attention to most?

The stoic philosopher Epictetus said, “You become what you give your attention to,” and “If you yourself don’t choose what thoughts and images you expose yourself to, someone else will.” Jesus put it this way:

The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness. (Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV). 

We know this teaching has many layers, but a practical lesson is that what we pay attention to brings either light or darkness into our bodies. Our attention and what we decide to attune it to are some of our most valuable resources. 

Yet how often do we allow ourselves to be coerced into flitting it away on sports without even realizing it? Or even worse, we are willing to give away our attention without a second thought. Once again, this is not to say we should completely abandon all viewing of sports. But, at the very least, we should be open to the idea of being more diligent in the management of our attention. 

Consider how often Jesus reprimanded the careless steward who mishandled the master’s resources. Although none of the parables speak directly to the topic of our attention, they all demand that the steward be faithful to what they have been entrusted with. Perhaps it is time to do the accounting and ask ourselves if we are faithful with our attention. Is there better guidance than what Paul instructs the ecclesia at Philippi:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8).

3. Which would be easier to explain?

What do you think you would have an easier time explaining to a friend or colleague? Why does your favorite team have a good chance of winning the championship this year, or why the content in the Sermon on the Mount is something we should be building our lives on? 

We can easily become versed in the statistics, trends, and commentaries of our sports teams and heroes to the detriment of our knowledge of the word of God. We are clearly directed by the Apostle Peter: 

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. (1 Peter 3:15). 

If we test ourselves in this area and find ourselves lacking, then perhaps it’s time to rethink our engagement with sports.

4. Where is it easier to spend your money?

Imagine one morning you wake up and you find you have two texts waiting for you. The first is to explain how the CBMA is requesting funds for a variety of needs in the mission fields. The second text tells you there are two tickets available for your favorite team’s next home game. Which would be easier to spend your money on? 

Much like the topics of our conversations, the things we spend our money on can be a good gauge of what we treasure. So, let’s ask ourselves, “Where does my money go?”  As the Apostle John wrote, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17 ESV; see also James 3:15-17).

An even more acute danger exists if we decide to begin gambling on the sports we view. One of our mandates as disciples is to live with self-control. Paul very fittingly uses sport as a metaphor for the discipline we must display:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV). 

Gambling is one way to relinquish that control with the consequences of being as serious and devastating as an addiction to a substance.

So, let’s be honest with ourselves. Are we on the road to idolatry? Has sport become a greater love in our life, or in our kids or family, than God and His Son?

Self-Reflection

I encourage us to take some time and carefully inspect our relationship with sport. If we recognize that changes need to occur, I pray that we have the strength and courage to implement them. 

We must remember that, in the end, it is not sports that provide the power to change the world, to truly inspire, to deeply unite, or to create hope where once there was only despair. These are the blessings provided by a life devoted to the great call of our heavenly Father. It is Paul who, ironically, by means of a sporting analogy, reminds us of this: 

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

John Perks,
Ottawa Ecclesia, ON