I John 5:21 says, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

Professional and collegiate sports are a god of this world.  They are worshiped, loved, praised and talked about constantly.  They are even a source of gambling for many.  Satan uses sports very effectively to take men's minds off eternity and their need of a Saviour.  Also, sports are used by the state of their country and off communism and its wicked and vile crimes.

Sports have become the idol of many professing Christians.  Churches have become social centers where sports are one of the main conversational pieces.  Children grow up with sports heroes as their champions.  Many even desire to be like their idol and grow up to be famous and great.  Many church members know more about some sport, team or man than they do about Jesus Christ and his word.  This is idolatry!

Webster's dictionary defines an "idol" as any object of ardent or excessive devotion.  It is a shame that so many professing Christians bow to the shrine of sports.

Idolatry is a wicked sin of the flesh, and God is a jealous God who does not want his children to have any other gods.  He demands our all; all our love, strength and worship. If sports are your idol, then you will be chastised by God, if you are his child.

When children play sports as a game of fun, it is harmless and clean exercise.  But when it reaches the professional, or hate competition, or the pride of life level, then it is wrong.

Sports are sins which ought to be exposed for what they are--darkness.  They are works of Satan, and a Christian should have no part in or with it. The reason this sin is rarely rebuked is because there are very few preachers left.  God's preachers should preach against sin, warning God's children to put off the works of darkness.  Also, God's preachers should preach the "do" doctrine, the putting on of Christ and the whole armor of God.  Instead of preachers today, there is an abundant supply of teachers who are busy scratching the itching ears of people who will not endure sound doctrine.

Sports are sins of vanity. They are a waste of time; they profit nothing concerning eternity.  Christians are commanded to redeem the time and to serve God each moment.

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil."-Ephesians 5:16

Also, sports are the sins of the pride of life with man being exalted.  Sports exalt man's ability and the arm of his flesh.  They are very pleasing to the flesh of man (the old man whom the Christian is commanded to put off.)

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts."-Ephesians 4:22

The lust of the flesh is aroused by sports, for the bodies of the players and cheerleaders are usually exposed.  Basketball uniforms, tennis outfits, cheerleaders outfits, gym shorts, wrestlers garments, weight lifting garment, swimsuits, etc.  are all part of the indecent  garments that are worn. These ungodly garments have no place in the Christian's wardrobe.

Furthermore, sports are the sins of fellowshipping with darkness and unrighteousness. The players are usually guilty of many vile sins. The bands play ungodly music.  The stands are filled with tobacco smoke, cussing, beer, gluttony, indecency, thievery, drunkenness, drugs and almost every vile thing that can be named. The fans are worked up into a barbaric frenzy in ardent devotion to their gods.  How can a Christian have fellowship with such darkness?

The liquor industry uses sports for their advertisements. They ought to be forced to show the truth. The end result of alcohol (beer, wine, etc.) is not a he-man but a drunkard and a broken home, etc.

Also, Satan uses sports to attack the soul of the Christian. He has sports performed on Sunday.  Sports are one of his many foul tools to pluck the word out of the hearts of the hearers.  Prayer and Bible study are replaced by the worship of sports.  Many souls lost in sin are left without a warning as a result.

Oh, that preachers would cry out against this strange god. Professing Christian, if you bow to this idol, then examine yourself whether you are in the faith. If you are truly saved, count the cost and judge yourself now so that you will not be judged.

"For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." -I Corinthians 11:31

"The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.  Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof."-Romans 13:12-14

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