Sports Spectrum

The challenge to sexual purity in the midst of the modern sports environment is a huge issue. This challenge begins in middle school and high school and progresses through college and into the professional ranks. Opportunities for sexual activity run rampant, and the higher an athlete’s profile is, the more opportunities there will be. In the professional ranks, this is often compounded by athletes having lots of money and too much time on their hands. It seems that, as one athlete put it, there is a sense of entitlement felt by great athletes that allows them to feel that they can enjoy sexual promiscuity with impunity. But, the fact is that for every choice we make there is a consequence—either good or bad.

If there was a biblical forerunner of the great, modern athlete it was David. Handsome, victorious, powerful, David had his choice of women—and by taking advantage of those choices he almost destroyed all that God had entrusted to him. It is a cautionary tale about the danger of choices and their consequences, especially in the area of sexual activity. In 2^nd Samuel 11 we read of David’s moral fall with Bathsheba, another man’s wife, and the steps that led to his failure characterize the downward plunge that often precedes sexual sin.

First, David was in the wrong place at the wrong time. At a time when kings went to war, he was not at his post. He was at home relaxing when he should have been tending to the concerns of the kingdom. Often, times of sexual temptation begin with a decision to be in the wrong place. After all, it is hard to imagine that anything worthwhile can really happen in a strip club at 3:00am.

Second, David failed to protect the “eye-gate.” Studies have verified that men are stimulated by sight, which would explain why the Bible warns women to dress modestly. Men can’t always prevent themselves (especially in our sexually charged culture) from seeing certain things—but we can put protections and safeguards in place, while determining not to continue looking when we are faced with unhealthy visual stimuli.

Third, David allowed himself to respond to his desires instead of responding to the value of purity. He took Bathsheba, slept with her, and began a chain of events that would destroy some, harm many, and stain his reputation and kingdom with the after-effects of his failure.

Yes, it is true that Psalm 51 tells of David’s repentance before God, but, in between his sin and his repentance, there was a trail of pain and loss and heartache because choices always have consequences. And sexual impurity’s consequences form a price far too high. Join us tomorrow on Sports Spectrum radio as we continue to look at sexual purity in the world of sports, and beyond.

Bill Crowder, Sport Spectrum Chaplain