Football is a beloved sport for many people across the world. However, some Christians raise the question – is playing football a sin according to the Bible? This article will examine what the Bible says about football and other competitive sports to help Christians think through this issue.
This article is worth reading whether you are a football player yourself or simply want to better understand different Christian perspectives on competitive sports. We’ll look at relevant Bible passages, consider objections some have to football, and think through how to glorify God even in something like football.
What Does the Bible Say About Competitive Sports Like Football?
The Bible does not directly mention football or other modern competitive sports. However, there are some passages that can help us consider how biblical principles might apply. Let’s look at some of the most relevant ones.
What warnings does the Bible give about sports?
Some point to passages that warn against drunkenness, adultery, and idolatry as reasons to avoid football. For example:
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 warns against drunkenness and adultery. Some argue football culture often promotes these.
- 1 Corinthians 10:14 tells us to “flee from idolatry.” Could football be an idol if we love it too much?
- 1 Timothy 4:8 contrasts godliness with “bodily training” and says it has “some value.” Does this mean sports are wrong?
What are biblical principles for competition?
The Bible encourages running to “win the prize” and exercising self-control. Relevant passages include:
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 tells us to “run in such a way as to get the prize.” Is this applicable to football?
- 2 Timothy 2:5 says “an athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” Should this inform Christian football players?
Is There Anything Inherently Sinful About Football Itself?
Given the popularity of football, including among Christians, many naturally ask – is there anything inherently sinful about football itself? There are a few common objections.
Doesn’t football promote violence and harming others?
Some believe sports like football promote violence which goes against Bible verses like “love your neighbor as yourself.” In response, defenders of football note:
- Most football players are not trying to seriously injure opponents, though injuries do still tragically occur sometimes.
- Many sports and activities have inherent physical risk and the Bible does not clearly prohibit all of them.
- However, intentionally trying to harm others would go against Christian ethics rooted in Scripture.
Doesn’t the intensity and competitiveness of football make it sinful?
Others feel football is too intense and competitive in ways contrary to Christian character. In response, advocates of football note:
- Competitiveness and intensity do not have to be sinful – the Bible encourages running a “race” to win the “prize” (1 Cor 9).
- However, the Bible does warn against unhealthy craving for victory leading to strife and disorder (James 3:16).
- Christians should reject unsportsmanlike conduct and an “win at all costs” mentality.
What about the time commitment and team loyalty – isn’t that idolatrous?
Some believe football can become an idol if our loyalty to a team outweighs loyalty to God. Considerations include:
- Christians must heed warnings like “flee from idolatry” (1 Cor 10) if loving football exceeds properly loving God.
- However, just spending significant time practicing a sport you enjoy does not necessarily make it an idol.
- Christians can thoughtfully participate in football in ways that do not conflict with loyalty to Christ.
So Is Playing Football a Sin for Christians? How Should We Decide?
Given some of the objections, but also seeing no clear biblical statement against football itself, Christians disagree on whether playing football is sinful. How might we work through this issue?
Should we avoid activities Scripture doesn’t mention if they might become sinful?
The Bible doesn’t mention football, so is that enough reason for Christians to avoid it since it might promote sin? In response we could note:
- Just because Scripture doesn’t mention an activity like football does not alone make it sinful – the Bible doesn’t prohibit all specific modern activities.
- However, Christians do need to thoughtfully evaluate any activity that might promote greed, violence, immorality or idolatry which Scripture clearly warns against.
What if we disagree – should we condemn other Christians who feel differently on this issue?
Given thoughtful Christians can disagree on this issue, how should we respond to fellow believers who feel differently about Christians playing football? Importantly:
- The Bible instructs us not to pass judgement on fellow followers of Christ on disputable matters (Rom 14:1-12)
- Whether or not one plays football should not determine their standing before God.
- However, each Christian must live according to their conscience (Rom 14:23).
Might some be more prone to sin through football than others?
This passage provides an insightful principle:
“‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful,’ but not all things build up.” (1 Cor 10:23)
So we must each personally consider, given our own temptations and weakness to sin, whether football is spiritually helpful and edifying, or whether it proves to lead us into sinful attitudes and conduct.
Football might lead someone prone to violence into sin, while others play with self-control and treat opponents respectfully. Christians must examine their own hearts – are we demonstrating Christlike character on and off the field?
Can football be played in a God-glorifying way?
Rather than totally condemning football, Christians might consider how our attitude and conduct while playing football can honor God and point others to Christ. This may include:
- Demonstrating Christlike character in how we compete, treat teammates and opponents, and handle both victories and defeats.
- Being a witness for Christ as we interact with non-believers on our team and the opposing team.
- Giving glory to God for the abilities we use rather than reveling arrogantly in our own talents.
- Using the platform football provides to proclaim the Gospel through our words and actions.
In Summary, Key Perspectives to Guide Christian Football Players
In summary, here are some key perspectives from Scripture to guide Christians as they consider football and other competitive sports:
- Be alert to how the intensity of football might reveal sinful attitudes in our hearts like greed, pride and valuing personal glory over an opponent’s wellbeing. Flee from promoting violence.
- Remember that just spending a lot of time playing football does not inherently make it an idol – but beware loving a sport more than God.
- Make playing football an opportunity to glorify God through Christlike conduct towards all and proclaiming the Gospel in deed and word.
- Condemnation has no place within the Christian community on disputable matters – extend grace to fellow believers who see this differently.
- Carefully and personally evaluate whether football is beneficial or sinful for you based on how you respond to it.
The Bible does not outright condemn football as a sinful activity. Wise Christians can thoughtfully come to different conclusions on appropriate participation in competitive team sports like football. Loving God and others to the best of our understanding should be the goal as we wrestle through secondary issues like this.