Football: Should Christians Be Involved?

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by Hughie Seaborn

Australians love their football. Whether it be Rugby League, Rugby Union, or Aussie Rules, huge crowds of devotees, both men and women, young and old, can be found every weekend, packing out stadiums and sports fields throughout the land, passionately barracking for their teams and their heroes. But, I want to raise the question: "Should Christians be involved in the 'game' of football, at any level? - whether it be physically as one of the team, personally attending the matches as a spectator, or simply as a 'Norm', or 'Couch Potato', watching the game at home on the TV?"

In my experience, asking this question of Christians has produced an assortment of responses, some quite emotional, and an increasing number strenuously defend their belief that there is no harm to be done by their involvement with the game, at any level. "What could possibly be wrong with footy?" they ask. "Surely God is not against Christians having a bit of fun and entertainment, is He?"

But what does Scripture indicate should be our response? What is God's mind on the subject of football as a sport, or as entertainment? Does He even really care? I believe He does care, for a number of reasons which I will outline below, and I base my belief, not upon my own personal likes or dislikes, but upon what I see in the Word of God. For us, as professing Christians, the Bible reveals God's mind and thoughts on any given subject and it must be our foundation for everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). The Word of God is the object by which we are to have our senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14).

The primary reason for my unpopular conclusions about football and for even bothering to write this article at all is because of my experience with a number of Christian brothers who were caught up in the exhilaration and competitiveness of the game, and my observations as to how it adversely affected their Christian walk and testimony.

May I say here at the outset, my desire is not that you, my Christian brother or sister in Christ, should simply follow me and conform to my beliefs and standards on this issue, but rather, that you should examine the situation, as it now escalates in the churches, with regards to football and similar sporting events, allowing the light of Scripture to reveal to you God's view of what is taking place. Pray, study the Scriptures and seek God's face, and come to your own conclusions as to what He would, or would not, have you believe and do.

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1. The Conviction of the Holy Spirit

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2. Separation To The Lord Spirit

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3. A Competitive Spirit & Aggression

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4. Ego & Pride

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5. Violence

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6. Drunkenness & Riotous Living

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7. The Forsaking Of The Assembly

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8. A Christian Testimony?

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Conclusion

See also:
Amusing Ourselves to Death
John Piper - Why I Don't Have a Television and Rarely Go to Movies
Ravi Zacharias - How Should Christians Watch TV?
The Motion Picture Production Code of 1930

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