Faith in motion

Can Christians be competitive? Are there any drawbacks to mixing faith and sports? As a kid, I attended church, watched Veggie Tales and studied at Christian schools. However, it wasn’t until high school that my interest in sports materialized – specifically in the tenth grade when I fell in love with basketball. Sports provide a fun way to stay healthy. But recently, I have been thinking about the connection between faith and sports. 

Let’s step into history. 

It might surprise you that many Christians have long engaged with various sports. Early Christians, including the Apostle Paul, used sports-related metaphors for spiritual life (for example, 1 Corinthians 9:2-27). Some Christians, however, believed that sports were not beneficial because they diverted believers from a virtuous spiritual life. In the first couple hundred years of Christianity, Christians lived under the Roman Empire, which participated in barbaric games. They saw the idolatry and violence associated with the sport and wanted no part of it. However, the strong discouragement against participation eventually softened as the centuries progressed and sports became less savage.

The dilemma of competition 

Today, not many Christians question the validity or place of sports. Sports and faith regularly intertwine. Groups of friends from church might watch critical playoff games together; pastors often connect sports with their sermons; and famous athletes publicly express their faith. One example that comes to mind is former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, who openly professes how faith positively impacted his sports career and how it continues to be predominant in his life today. 

However, the clash between the competitive nature of sports and Christian principles can lead to ethical dilemmas for some Christians. 

We have all seen someone get riled up while immersed in contest or jump for joy when their favourite team scores. Maybe you have experienced this enthusiasm yourself. But competition can become a substantial issue within sports.

The drive to win 

The drive to win at all costs may lead to behaviours contrary to biblical teachings of love, compassion and righteousness. Examples include cheating, idolatry, unsportsmanlike conduct or prioritizing victory over integrity. 

Shirl James Hoffman describes this in an article for Christianity Today. “Variously described by those inside and outside as narcissistic, materialistic, violent, sensationalist, coarse, racist, sexist, brazen, raunchy, hedonistic, body-destroying and militaristic,’ he said, ‘big-time sports culture lifts up values in sharp contrast with what Christians for centuries have understood as the embodiment of the gospel.” 

It is not that sports themselves are bad, but rather when competition within sports is taken to the extreme, behaviour associated with sports culture sometimes goes against the fruit of the Spirit. Cheating to win, under-the-table deals and violent outbursts mid-game are becoming recurrent. 

Remember this 

If you are a Christian sports fan or athlete, consider the earnest qualities Jesus displays and how you can implement them into your own life. Reflect the light of Christ in sports rather than following the secular narrative. Consider Hall-of-Famer Jackie Robinson, who embodied Christian values, such as humility, while still being an incredible baseball player. You do not have to stop competing, just remember what matters most.