SPORTS—AN IDOL

Scripture contains many warnings against idolatry: but many readers of Scripture think these have no application in our day except to the heathen. That, however, is a very mistaken view. The fact is, these are days of gross superstition and flagrant idolatry.

We have several admonitions in the New Testament on idolatry:

“Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee idolatry.”1 Cor. 10:14

“The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these … idolatry.”Gal. 5:19,20

Note that these admonitions are addressed, not to heathen, but to the Lord’s church.

Of God’s redeemed people of old it is written, that they “mingled among the heathen and learned their works”. “And they served their idols; which were a snare unto them”. This danger is just as great today. Idolatry flourishes, not in heathen lands only, but in civilized nations as well.

Man, as he becomes more educated, may change his idols, but does not turn from idolatry until he turns to God. Worship directed to other than the living and true God, or trust reposed in another person or thing, is idolatry.

Our attention is constantly called to all the literature of modern man, to the great things that are being done for humanity by science, invention, education, civilization, art, sports, etc. In education, Sport has become one of the greatest idols of our youth. The idolatry of sports has been publicized to such an extent in our daily papers, that page upon page is filled with it, wherein man looks with pride upon the physical accomplishments of athletes. Sports heroes are worshipped as supermen. Thousands upon thousands are gathered in stadiums, around television and radios, wasting their precious time to idol man. Parents and children attend these events with interest and enjoyment. Children’s minds are occupied from early morn to late at night with what team is going to win. Their interest in sports far exceeds their interest in their eternal soul’s welfare. It is their daily subject. Ask the teenager; with very few exceptions they are better acquainted with the names of various players than with those of the patriarchs found in Holy Writ. Pastors and teachers find it difficult to get the attention of young people to scripture lessons and instructions. But no sooner is the class over, and discussions resume on the latest scores or sport idols. What is the consequence? A demoralizing apathy to what God requires of all. Is it not a sad fact that Satan has caused present day educators to lay aside all things wherein God may be glorified, and have exalted man instead? Are we not admonished to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good”? 1 Thess. 5:21. What is that good, save only that wherein God is glorifies? A closer acquaintance, a deeper knowledge of God’s truth, will show the worthlessness of many things and persons too, once highly esteemed by man. The Reverend J. C. Philpot wrote in one of his sermons, “All these must be discarded, until at last he seems not only despised by the world as poor, narrow -minded, prejudiced, bigoted, ever discontented and dissatisfied, but to have lost everything except what God has wrought by His own power in his soul.”

This is God-glorifying.

“The eyes of all wait upon these; and that thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hane, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”

Psalm 145:15, 16

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