Daily Devotions
Football and Foolishness
Reading for September 1st: Ezekiel 9-12
Weekly reading for August 30-September 5: Titus & 2 Timothy
Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.
2 Timothy 2:23
You could say that I have a love/hate relationship with football. I am a product of my upbringing in the South, and so my love of football comes honestly. (And it's college football down here, not NFL.) I love my school. I love the intense rivalries. I love fierce competition and the passion of the fanbases. I love it!
However, all of the things I love about football are also the things I hate about it. I hate the way rivalries become so nasty. It drives me nuts that a competition over a game (and it is just a game!) turns into hurtful insults and personal attacks. And what bothers me the most is that I see all of this among those who call themselves brothers and sisters in Christ!
So, the challenge I want to make to myself and to anyone who loves football like I do, is that you remember 2 Timothy 2:23 this season. Even though the apostle Paul was not thinking about football when he wrote this verse, it certainly applies. Any controversy which causes disciples of Christ to say hateful things to one another, avoid each other at church, and create resentments in their hearts toward one another is, by definition, a FOOLISH controversy! When you feel tempted to argue about football, recite this verse to yourself. Maybe say it to yourself over and over: "Have nothing to do with foolish controversies... Have nothing to do with foolish controversies..."
And there's another verse that could be helpful. When you hear someone say something really stupid about your team, think about this verse:
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself." Proverbs 26:4
Enough said.
Father, help us to have wisdom, perspective, and above all love that we might know when something is important enough to argue about, and when we should simply remain silent.
