The “God” of Sport

Signs of the Times

“Holidays are numerous; the whirl of excitement and pleasure attracts thousands from the sober duties of life. The exciting sports Ð theatergoing, horse racing, gambling, liquor drinking and reveling–stimulate every passion to activity” 9 T. 89.

“The powers of Satan are at work to keep minds diverted from eternal realities. The enemy has arranged matters to suit his own purposes. Worldly business, sports, the fashions of the day–these things occupy the minds of men and women. Amusements and unprofitable reading spoil the judgment.” 9T 43. Sports have become the great god of the day. Even Seventh-day Adventist Schools and Adventist Church Youth are engaging in this kind of evil practice and are calling it physical exercise. But we do not blame these children. The teachers, pastors, and elders are asleep, ignoring the word of God. Remember, Adventist Youth are not interested in evangelism, but love for the game of soccer. They are being changed into the image of the world, a world that worships sports such as soccer. Yet the church leaders and parents see no harm in sports that mimic the world; youth and adult people are being led into worldliness. The whole world is going on to ruin. Sabbath- keeping parents and their children no longer reverence the Sabbath day because of the passion for football. The youth are making millions of dollars out of it É “[students] those in the school who take pleasure in showing their independence, and in engaging in wicked sports in disobedience to the rules and who fill the hearts of their teachers with sorrow and discouragement.” Fundamentals of Christian Education (FE), p. 297.

“If in our schools the land were more faithfully cultivated, the buildings more disinterestedly cared for by the students, the love of sports and amusements, which causes so much perplexity in our school work, would pass away.” FE 512.

“Parents, unless you know that their surroundings are unexceptionable, do not permit your children to go into the streets after nightfall to engage in out-door sports, or to meet other boys for amusement.” FE 63.

“The intense passion for money getting, the thirst for display, the luxury and extravagance–all are forces that, with the great mass of mankind, are turning the mind from lifeÕs true purpose. They are opening the door to a thousand evils.” 9T 90

Samson’s example

“The history of Samson conveys a lesson for those whose characters are yet unformed, who have not yet entered upon the stage of active life. The youth who enter our schools and colleges will find there every class of mind. If they desire sport and folly, if they seek to shun the good and unite with the evil, they have the opportunity. Sin and righteousness are before them, and they are to choose for themselves. But let them remember that “whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”” Conflict and Courage, p.135.

“Satan has been multiplying his snares inÉ; and professed Christians who are superficial in character and religious experience are used by the tempter as his decoys. This class are always ready for the gathering for pleasure or sport, and their influence attracts others.” Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students (CT), p. 340. “All the powers of Satan are set in operation to hold the attention to frivolous amusements, and he is gaining his object. He is interposing his devisings between God and the soul. He will manufacture diversions to keep men from thinking about God. The world, filled with sport and pleasure loving, is always thirsting for some new interest; but how little time and thought are given to the Creator of the heavens and the earth.” CT 456.

“How much time is spent by intelligent human beings in horse racing, cricket matches, and ball playing! But will indulgence in these sports give men a desire to know truth and righteousness? Will it keep God in their thoughts? Will it lead them to inquire, How is it with my soul?” CT 456.

“I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone. I shrink always from the almost sure result which follows in the wake of these amusements. It leads to an outlay of means that should be expended in bringing the light of truth to souls that are perishing out of Christ. The amusements and expenditures of means for self-pleasing, which lead on step by step to self-glorifying, and the educating in these games for pleasure, produce a love and passion for such things that is not favourable to the perfection of Christian character.” 2 Selected Messages, p. 322. Let us draw closer to Jesus Christ; He is coming soon.

“God has given us a probation in which we may prepare for the higher school. For this school the youth are to be educated, disciplined, and trained by forming such characters, moral and intellectual, as God will approve. They are to receive a training, not in the customs and amusements and games of this worldly polluted society, but in Christ’s lines.” FE 397.

“What force of powers is put into your games of football and your other inventions after the way of the Gentiles–exercises which bless no one!É I cannot find an instance in the life of Christ where He devoted time to play and amusement. He was the great Educator for the present and the future life. I have not been able to find one instance where He educated His disciples to engage in amusement of football or pugilistic games, to obtain physical exercise or in theatrical performances; and yet Christ was our pattern in all things.” FE 229. “Ye are a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” 1 Cor. 9: 24-25.

“By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt” Heb. 11: 24-26. Where are the distinctive messages of the three Angels to be proclaimed in these last days? Whose side are we on?
AMEN.

Anthony Cedric Adjei, Ghana
E-mail, [email protected]