Don't Let the Pigskin Hinder Your Gospel Witness

One of the best things about living in the South is the prominence college football has in culture. It has been said that there are really only two times of the year in the southeast-football season and getting ready for football season. Here in my home state of South Carolina, Clemson and The University of South Carolina dominate the headlines from late August to the holiday season.

I must add a word of confession here-I am a born and bred South Carolina fan. My mom has pictures of me at five years old wearing my gamecock pajamas (no I am not going to post a picture). I can recall growing up having a distaste for anything orange (I still do not like orange M & M's. They taste funny.) Whether you root for Clemson or South Carolina, it was instilled at an early age to loathe the opposing team's colors, university, mascot, fight song, and everything associated with it.

Growing up, I went to a great deal of Clemson home games. My dad's company always bought tickets and they would take business clients. As a perk, I got to tag along. Even though I am a South Carolina fan, I still have some good memories of going to watch Clemson play.

With the advent of social media and the Internet, you now have fan blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. to interact with people across the nation and around the world. Many times, I see on game days some good natured ribbing between friends and family members from opposing teams. Often, I see anger, virulent attacks, and slanderous comments from people who support a wide variety of teams-Clemson, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama-I could go on and on.

As football season has officially started, I began to think last night about how my passion for football-namely South Carolina football, could have a negative impact on my gospel witness.

Paul said in Ephesians 4:29 (ESV):
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

While it is perfectly fine to passionately support your chosen team, I wonder what would happen if we all committed to praying what Paul said in Ephesians 4:29 before we engaged our brothers and sisters from opposing teams.  Do not misunderstand me. There is nothing wrong with joking and ribbing friends and family who know you and appreciate it. However, to someone else, it could be a stumbling block. I myself have been guilty of this in the past.

So, wear your team colors proudly this season-win or lose. Remember to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Most of all, remember that the gospel of Christ trumps all other allegiances, and dictates how we interact with others.

Best of luck and enjoy the football season!
Bryan