WHY??? Questions for my brethren in Christ

Kenny'sID

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Doesn't seem to me the bible considers sports/competition, a bad thing. And if I may, I think you have jumped way over the line, in being judgmental of others on the subject.


"An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."
2 Timothy 2:5 ESV

"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."
1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"
Hebrews 12:1 ESV

"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."
 
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BrotherD

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Doesn't seem to me the bible considers sports/competition, a bad thing. And if I may, I think you have jumped way over the line, in being judgmental of others on the subject.


"An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules."
2 Timothy 2:5 ESV

"Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."
1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us"
Hebrews 12:1 ESV

"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."

Yes those are great verses. I do not believe they mean that it is okay to compete with each other to win an earthly prize. It seems to be a metaphor. To answer your question, yes we should all be running to obtain the prize, but in the world today many consider things like what i said as judging.

Look at sports as a whole today. It is full of pride. It breeds rivalry and dislike for the opposing team star athlete. Does it edify when we watch these things? Will it make me a better Christian? When we get to heaven will there be any sports to play, where we go head to head with each other to win? We ought to live like the kingdom of God is already here.
 
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Kenny'sID

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Yes those are great verses. I do not believe they mean that it is okay to compete with each other to win an earthly prize. It seems to be a metaphor.

Its very clear to me exactly why it's not a problem to use sports to help make the scripture clear....because in itself, there is nothing wrong with it....absolutely nothing.

Just a little common sense tells us, the bible would not liken salvation to sports if it were sinful.
 
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seeking.IAM

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In these last days we need to search our hearts. We must humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and pray that we are fit for the kingdom of heaven...We all, myself included, will have to stand in the judgment. Will you be found wanting or be welcomed...?

My family has been whipping up a frenzy about the last days for at least 70 years now. I'm not so sure God is ready yet. So my plan is to stay ready for when He comes, but in the meantime I am watching the game. I don't think God created us to live some austere life without doing things that bring joy.
 
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Kenny'sID

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Look at sports as a whole today. It is full of pride. It breeds rivalry and dislike for the opposing team star athlete.

It's not the sport that is prideful, it's some of the people, and if you cannot get past that, ignore it or whatever, you need not watch the game, others are able to get past it.
 
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Kenny'sID

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I don't think God created us to live some austere life without doing things that bring joy.

That is the whole thing, and it irritates me a bit to see someone come along and try to take what little joy Christians are allowed, away from them.
 
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pescador

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That is the whole thing, and it irritates me a bit to see someone come along and try to take what little joy Christians are allowed, away from them.

Oh, gee! How sad! If your joy as a Christian comes from watching televised sports I feel sorry for you.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-8

Try reading a book. I recommend the Bible, starting with John's gospel.
 
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Kenny'sID

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Oh, gee! How sad! If your joy as a Christian comes from watching televised sports I feel sorry for you.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-8

Try reading a book. I recommend the Bible, starting with John's gospel.

Lol
 
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BrotherD

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Its very clear to me exactly why it's not a problem to use sports to help make the scripture clear....because in itself, there is nothing wrong with it....absolutely nothing.

Just a little common sense tells us, the bible would not liken salvation to sports if it were sinful.

It isn't a salvation issue but just another road to lead one off the straight and narrow. I stand by the truth which was spoken in the OP. I was a lover of sports but as i grew closer to God, he drew my interest further away from the consumption of sports on tv. Now i understand the subtle things wrong with it. Christ has separated me from this world and this was one of those things i had to let go.
 
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Kenny'sID

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It isn't a salvation issue but just another road to lead one off the straight and narrow. I stand by the truth which was spoken in the OP. I was a lover of sports but as i grew closer to God, he drew my interest further away from the consumption of sports on tv. Now i understand the subtle things wrong with it. Christ has separated me from this world and this was one of those things i had to let go.

Again, people are prideful, sports is not. Then again, there are prideful people in countless areas other than sports, there are even prideful Christians but we don't walk away from Christianity because of that.

I'm much less interested in many things since I started developing as a Christian, however, I won't be telling others to do the same as me, on this or anything.
 
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BrotherD

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My family has been whipping up a frenzy about the last days for at least 70 years now. I'm not so sure God is ready yet. So my plan is to stay ready for when He comes, but in the meantime I am watching the game. I don't think God created us to live some austere life without doing things that bring joy.

1 John 2:15-17
[15]Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
[16]For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
[17]And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Anything worldly must be cast aside. I am pretty sure God would love those few hours you devote to watching sports used for his benefit. Maybe it is just me but i find unspeakable joy by fulfilling his will. The time of his return is truly at hand and biblical prophecy can attest to that. I will spend these last few daylight hours trying to win souls.
 
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BrotherD

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Again, people are prideful, sports is not. Then again, there are prideful people in countless areas other than sports, there are even prideful Christians but we don't walk away from Christianity because of that.

I'm much less interested in many things since I started developing as a Christian, however, I won't be telling others to do the same as me, on this or anything.

Do you watch sports? Is this something you like to do?
 
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Kenny'sID

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Do you watch sports? Is this something you like to do?

Actually I watch a Jaguars game once in a blue moon, and the way it's going for them I don't see too many blue moons in our future.

My posts were mainly in defense of others. I play the occasional video game, but don't compete with anyone.
 
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theoneandonlypencil

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I am going to present a few questions that are designed to get my fellow brothers and sisters to think. The majority of the followers of Christ lack a knowledge of God’s standards. Some have been led astray from the pure words of the Lord by false teachers. Some love that one particular sin and will refuse to hear anyone that calls it out. God’s standard is Jesus Christ our Lord and anything short of that should be acceptable for all of us, myself included.

Why have we as a church body adopted so many of the world's customs? Why do we celebrate the same holidays as the pagans and not the Lord’s holy days that are mentioned in the bible? Some may say that we aren't Jewish and to that I ask well are we heathens?

Why do we love competition, as in sports, game night, video games, etc? Do you not understand that the spirit behind these things is “PRIDE”? Some might say that I do it for fun but somebody will still lose.

Why do we watch tv shows that glorify the sins of the flesh such as Galatians 5:19-21 list?

Why is it hard to distinguish between a Christian and a worldly person? Instead of us converting them, they are converting us to their ways. What says the Lord:

2 Corinthians 6:14,17-18
[14]Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[17]Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18]And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Why do we say we follow God but hold to the traditions of men that cannot be found in the bible?

Why do we get offended by the truth? One of the fruits of the Spirit is love right? Well love is not easily provoked (to irritated, aroused to anger) according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. So why take offense? Could it be that it goes straight to the heart of a cherished sin?

In these last days we need to search our hearts. We must humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord and pray that we are fit for the kingdom of heaven. We can appear to be righteous on the outside but the Lord knows what lies in our hearts. Some may get offended by these questions but that is not my intention. My intention is to raise up the standard that God has set in his holy word. We all, myself included, will have to stand in the judgment. Will you be found wanting or be welcomed with open arms by our lovely savior Christ Jesus?

I play video games, enjoy fantasy related media with made up worlds and religions, I listen to secular music, I read about other cultures and religions/mythology, I don't see any problems with sports and I watch things with views I don't agree with.

Yet somehow despite all of that, I've never abandoned God not once in my life. I know more about theology and Christianity than a lot of my other friends who were born and raised by strict Christian parents and I talk about God every chance I get to people I meet.

I also celebrate halloween, because I enjoy spooky things and scary stories and horror related media. But I do know more about the real occult than the average layman and can give you quite a few reasons off the top of my head why I would NEVER touch the stuff with a ten-foot-pole.


If I was any different than I am today, there would be a lot of people in my life who wouldn't have even considered listening to me about Christianity. I wouldn't be with my husband, who used to be a devout atheist, and I wouldn't have pursued knowledge as strongly as I do now. I also happen to think God is calling me to write fantasy works--so that I can use it as a vessel for my faith and ideals which won't be so easily detected and discarded by nonbelievers.

I love God. I try my best to please him at all times, and I want to help others as much as I can. I also happen to live in a world full of sin, and so the best thing I can do is let God protect me while I separate the wheat from the chaff and learn how to use everything the world has to offer in order to bring someone closer to God.

I could continue writing an entire essay on this subject, but I'll leave it at that.
 
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BrotherD

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Actually I watch a Jaguars game once in a blue moon, and the way it's going for them I don't see too many blue moons in our future.

My posts were mainly in defense of others. I play the occasional video game, but don't compete with anyone.

I did all those things as well. I was ALL world but once i truly started to follow the Lord he slowly removed those things from me. I would have never thought those things were awful but i started to notice it took time away from studying the bible. I loved my playstation but as i stopped playing certain games and was reading more, he gave me a new desire. I sold my PS4 and never looked back.

The world has alot of avenues for one to get lost down. Only Jesus can help us to go onward and upward developing a Christ like character that is fit for the kingdom of heaven.
 
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BrotherD

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I play video games, enjoy fantasy related media with made up worlds and religions, I listen to secular music, I read about other cultures and religions/mythology, I don't see any problems with sports and I watch things with views I don't agree with.

Yet somehow despite all of that, I've never abandoned God not once in my life. I know more about theology and Christianity than a lot of my other friends who were born and raised by strict Christian parents and I talk about God every chance I get to people I meet.

I also celebrate halloween, because I enjoy spooky things and scary stories and horror related media. But I do know more about the real occult than the average layman and can give you quite a few reasons off the top of my head why I would NEVER touch the stuff with a ten-foot-pole.


If I was any different than I am today, there would be a lot of people in my life who wouldn't have even considered listening to me about Christianity. I wouldn't be with my husband, who used to be a devout atheist, and I wouldn't have pursued knowledge as strongly as I do now. I also happen to think God is calling me to write fantasy works--so that I can use it as a vessel for my faith and ideals which won't be so easily detected and discarded by nonbelievers.

I love God. I try my best to please him at all times, and I want to help others as much as I can. I also happen to live in a world full of sin, and so the best thing I can do is let God protect me while I separate the wheat from the chaff and learn how to use everything the world has to offer in order to bring someone closer to God.

I could continue writing an entire essay on this subject, but I'll leave it at that.

Interesting. What comes to your mind when you read these scriptures:

Deuteronomy 18:10-13
[10]There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
[11]Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
[12]For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
[13]Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

Psalms 101:3
[3]I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

We cannot participate in any evil and serve the Lord effectively. He calls us to be perfect and righteous and holy. Jesus is the standard and we ought to walk as he walked. We often think we are winning people to the Lord's side by finding common ground in sin but in the end it is not the case. A true follower of Christ would absolutely abhor any kind of evil.
 
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theoneandonlypencil

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Interesting. What comes to your mind when you read these scriptures:

Deuteronomy 18:10-13
[10]There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
[11]Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
[12]For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.
[13]Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.

Psalms 101:3
[3]I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

We cannot participate in any evil and serve the Lord effectively. He calls us to be perfect and righteous and holy. Jesus is the standard and we ought to walk as he walked. We often think we are winning people to the Lord's side by finding common ground in sin but in the end it is not the case. A true follower of Christ would absolutely abhor any kind of evil.

I think it's a good thing none of my hobbies are evil, and that fantasy magic isn't consistent at all with biblical witchcraft :oldthumbsup: If you have different convictions on what is/isn't sinful, that's fine; but I'm past the level of 'quote-mining' the bible and playing the 'true follower of Christ' gotcha game, when I could be chatting up my atheist friends about the bible over a game of Monster hunter world or destiny.
 
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Junia

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It is true that hobbies are good as long as it edifies. Sports is a tough one to call because it always involves a loser unless one is not keeping score. I believe we ought to keep the biblical feasts minus the sacrifices.


you are free to keep them or not. Blessings
 
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