V I O L E N C E

Proverbs 6:16-17

Have you ever been the victim of a cheap shot in your sport?  Some athletes take advantage of their opponents by using a compromising position to hurt or humiliate them.  This is similar to another of the things God hates.

Proverbs chapter 6 and verses 16 and 17 says, “There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood…”

A person’s hands are symbolic of his deeds or actions and hands that shed innocent blood literally kill people.  In our world of sports though, we would say that they injure or wound an opponent or teammate.  

I’ve seen many competitors undercut while making a lay up or viciously hit after a whistle on the football field.  To maliciously injure a teammate, opponent, coach or friend is tantamount to shedding innocent blood.  What then shall we do?

Choose to love.  I don’t know anyone who is more competitive than me.  However we must make the conscious choice to subdue that old, win at any cost, mentality and choose to compete wisely.  That kind of an attitude is driven by love, the thing God loves more than anything.  Have a great day of competition.

Bible Reading Plan:
Luke 15:11-32
I Timothy 5:16-25
Proverbs 8
Ezra 10