10/01/13 "HE HAD TO GIVE UP PLAYING BALL."
A college classmate could not play any kind of ball or sports activity without getting so caught up in the game that it overtook his thoughts and emotions and made him lose spiritual ground. He became so intent on winning that he traded personal relationships for points; Christ likeness was abandoned for pride of success in gaming; love was lost in pursuit of a personal fulfillment.
Of course the answer to his selfishness was for him to surrender his whole self to the cross for crucifixion; seek deliverance from the domain of carnal thinking; be filled to overflowing with love for people rather than self adulation.
However, he would not give up (die to) self and sin, so he gave up competition, which he loved dearly. This did not remove the problem of a carnal mind, it simply removed that particular occasion of stumbling.
While I do not agree with his choice of a solution, at least he was willing to make some adjustment in his life, in hopes of attaining a spiritual victory. Usually a person just gives in to his baser urges, rather than looking for a way of escape or deliverance.
So sad that "Christians" will run roughshod over other people and their feelings, in pursuit of their own satisfaction, especially in the things of life that are not that important. Why would someone offend another person (for whom Christ died) in order to taste passing satisfaction?
Maybe it would be good to ask God to help you understand this as it relates to your own life and witness.
