(this post is dedicated to Jared Doty. The originator of the piece) Do you enjoy the downfall of your rival? Do you delight in saying, "I told you so?" I hate to admit it, but I do; and I often wonder why it tastes so good? After-all, a Christian is supposed to be for everyone, to pray for those who hurt you, and to love your enemies. But still, there is something sweet about watching an antagonist fall...especially when they like to rub their victories in your face. If you have read my blog for any amount of time, you know I am a Cleveland, Ohio native. So when it comes to the NBA, I naturally have disdain for Lebron James...in my mind he was disloyal to the city that raised him. So, after the Heat suffered a humiliating final series against the San Antonia Spurs - - I have to admit it, I experienced a sweet taste of delight. Is that wrong? My personal opinion is that when you play sports you enter into a different kind of arena: competition is the name of the game and if you trash-talk, "Not one, not two, not three, not four,not five, not six, not seven...and when I say that I really believe it. (see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYe8B--jrbs)," you better be able to take it when you get destroyed. It is fun to beat your competition...but there is another level of passion and pride that is just not healthy. Danger occurs when you start to hate. This tendency can occur in almost every arena of life; when competition or disagreement turns into internal rage and you start to despise others. And this feeling is more than an innocent case of "shadenfruede," this is vile sin. There is nothing more tragic when you see... - People hating a spouse they once obsessively loved. Divorce & Hatred are too often rotten bedfellows. - When people won't even pray for the leader of their country because they really think he is the Anti-Christ. That's not right, nor is it moral! - When people back-bite and gossip about others in their family or church because they either had an argument, are jealous, didn't show up to an important event, or they have information that you don't want them having. Gossip is hatred packaged as a tasty treat to share. Hatred is wrong, because you are despising the image of God that has been placed on another human being. Listen to how simple Jesus makes it... Matthew 5:43-45 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." When jealousy rages or I feel the unhealthy urge to compete, I follow the lead of my brother. He has modeled for me of how you should shut your mouth and do something alone with God. He goes running, biking, anything outdoors to expend that passion in a healthy way. Personally, I like to go to the woods and scream. Sounds weird, I know, but it helps. The NBA has a short-shelf life, the finals are over, they will play again in four months and no one will care who won yesterday. But it is the long term rage and hatred that will kill you - - holding grudges for years and never learning how to forgive will shrink your soul. If hatred has gotten a hold of you, you have got to learn to let it go (Spare me the Frozen references). And remember, Jesus paid the price for others, so you can set them free.
1 Comment
Jason T.
7/15/2014 09:40:32 am
So, how do you feel about Lebron now, Chris?
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