Idolatry

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DippyDolph

Guest
#1
#1
I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I was wondering if playing basketball is idolatry. I'm going into 8th grade this year and I just signed up for basketball. I've already made sure to get rid of all other idols in my life like TV Xbox and online games. But I'm not sure if basketball is idolatry. I've asked the holy spirit to tell my if it is or not in a dream or whatever but no response yet. What do you guys think?
 
M

Mammachickadee

Guest
#2
#2
Intent, devotion, and distraction.
If your intent while playing basketball is to receive attention and vain glory, it's an idol. If you find yourself skipping out on church to make a game or practice it's an idol. If you spend so much time practicing, studying, and daydreaming about something, it's an idol.
 
HeRoseFromTheDead

HeRoseFromTheDead

Senior Member
#3
Sep 4, 2012
14,424
689
113
#3
Things and activities of themselves are not idols. It's what you do with them in your mind that makes them idols.

Play well and give glory to GOD.
 
J

john832

Senior Member
#4
May 31, 2013
11,365
186
63
#4
DippyDolph said:
I've been thinking a lot about this lately and I was wondering if playing basketball is idolatry. I'm going into 8th grade this year and I just signed up for basketball. I've already made sure to get rid of all other idols in my life like TV Xbox and online games. But I'm not sure if basketball is idolatry. I've asked the holy spirit to tell my if it is or not in a dream or whatever but no response yet. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Which is more important, God or basketball? It really is that simple. If basketball comes before God in any aspect, then it is a breaking of #1 and #3.
 
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DippyDolph

Guest
#5
#5
Thanks for your answers they helped a lot. And no Jesus is definitely more important.I never meant to play for the reasons of being complimented or have glory or anything I was just wondering whether playing the game itself is idoltary. THANKS!!!!
 
J

john832

Senior Member
#6
May 31, 2013
11,365
186
63
#6
DippyDolph said:
Thanks for your answers they helped a lot. And no Jesus is definitely more important.I never meant to play for the reasons of being complimented or have glory or anything I was just wondering whether playing the game itself is idoltary. THANKS!!!!
Click to expand...
Playing the game is not idolatry, playing to win (within the bounds of good sportsmanship) is not wrong. It only becomes an idol when it means more to you than your relationship with God.
 
RickyZ

RickyZ

Senior Member
#7
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#7
I think all the answers given have been spot on. If you do things for fun, entertainment and competition you're fine. If you worship them, or do them to honor self pride, you're idolizing them.

Now go play some hoops!
 
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