Prisoners of Hope Special Edition JUNE 2010

SPORTS – Are the Bible &

Spirit of Prophecy Quiet?
Should We Be?
EDITORIAL

I would like to apologise for not sending out editions of PoH for the last two months. I was overwhelmed with
settling back in after our 7month missionary trip, and PoH was a casualty.

I was perturbed a few week s ago, to receive a “2010 Commemorative Issue” of our flagship Signs of the Times
Magazine. What troubled me was not so much that they had released this issue with the World Cup in mind, but that
in it they openly promoted the various teams participating. Yes, there were articles of a Christian nature, but, I do
not believe from a Biblical and SoP viewpoint that this is enough. As we shall see in this special issue of PoH, this is
akin to promoting various alcoholic beverages and putting a Christian spin to drinking.

At the same church, on the same day, where this magazine was handed out to me, they were promoting a soccer
game the next day and urging everyone to go and watch. I found myself wondering what had become of Adventism
and the stand that we have on such issues. It was heart-breaking afterwards, to be approached by a member of that
church to ask if I had supplemental material on sport, as he had, after listening to a talk I gave, given the same talk at
that very church. The response he received was that EGW was out-dated and the church therefore had no need to
follow her counsel. Truly frightening- the depths we have plunged to as Laodicea.

The response, while not entirely surprising to me, reminded me of what I went through immediately after presenting
the talk which the brother referred to. I had presented a study on sports to the elders of that church and had been
informed that certain of them felt my stance was ‘not balanced.’ They assured me that they would get back to me
with “counter” quotes. About 5 months later, with no quotes having been forth-coming; after two weeks of
advertising on what I would present, and reminders to the church elders that I was still waiting for their quotes, I
presented the same study to the church.

The response from everyone I spoke to and who took time to speak to me after the question and answer session was
very positive, but, the elders were not in the least bit amused that I had presented the message based on Biblical
and SoP principles. I was accused of all manner of things and threatened, but could not be told exactly what error I
had presented. In any case, they assured me that they would soon convene a meeting in my absence, to come up
with a counter stance to what I had presented, and also provide me with the material to prove that what I had
presented was false and that I had mislead the church. I received no answer as to why, over 5months after I had
presented the material to them no such response had been forthcoming despite assurances and follow-ups on my
side. To cut a long story short, despite a number of emails from me to the elders to inquire on progress, and to ask
for the quotes they were referring to, over two years have now lapsed and I have not received any correspondence
on the matter from them.

How does all this tie in with this issue of PoH? Well, this issue is based on a selection of the material that offended
the elders of my church two and a half years ago. I do not expect that everyone will be willing to accept the truth as
found in the Bible and SoP in the same manner that the elders of the church did not- as a whole- accept it. I have
been Adventist long enough to have no expectation that all Adventists that read this will conform to the principles
given to us from above; else we would not be Laodicea. My only desire in presenting it is that we all consider our
ways. My hope is that you will all take time to read through the material and make an informed decision on the
matter. My desire, especially for South Africans, with the World Cup Circus beginning shortly in our backyard, that
we pause and question ourselves, to see if these things are in harmony with our purported message as Sabbatarians
waiting for the Lord.

May God richly bless you all, and may the Holy Spirit guide you as you seek to understand God’s will in terms of
sports.
 SPORTS – WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE BIBLE & SoP?
Definitions
What does the word sport mean?

(N) 1 a: a source of diversion c (1): physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2): a particular activity (as an
athletic game) so engaged in
(V) 1 a: to amuse oneself <lambs sporting in the meadow> Websters Dictionary
(N) an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another
or others
(V) amuse oneself or play in a lively way Oxford Dictionary
(N) an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
(V) frolic: play boisterously; "The children frolicked in the garden"; "the gamboling lambs in the meadows";
"The toddlers romped in the playroom” wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webw

From the above it can be seen that sport has two primary meanings. The first, the noun, being the physical
exertion very closely linked to competition; the second, commonly associated children involving their
frolicking and child play. These definitions will be useful for us later on as we look at some SoP quotations.

The Author
Growing up, my one dream was to become a professional sportsman. I took part in every sport that I could, held
many records in various disciplines, left junior school after captaining every sport I was involved in and was at the
time, the most decorated person to ever go through that school. At high school, I attended what we often termed a
sporting academy where I was moderately successful, ending up representing first teams in three different
disciplines which was no easy feat. After leaving high school I continued playing sport and competed in the country’s
top league of the sport I chose to pursue before having a conversion experience and quitting, primarily because all
our matches were played on Sabbath. I continued playing sport on a casual basis at university in three disciplines,
and while spiritual questions on the efficacy of playing sport reared their head at this time, it was not until shortly
thereafter that I actually put time into studying the subject from a Biblical and SoP perspective. Below is a selection
of things I have learned in my quest to be a better Christian because of my love for God.

Biblical Foundations
It is often argued that the Bible does not have anything to say about the matter of playing sport except for Paul using
it as a metaphor for our Christian walk. However, as with many other things, I believe that there are sufficient
principles that we find in the Word to guide us in our walk upon this subject. Below is a selection of texts.

1Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God.

This is a much quoted verse and rightly so. From the sporting perspective, we need to be
sure that whatever it is that we are doing, glorifies God. Nothing done on the sports field should in anyway violate
any of the principles that God has laid out in His word. Praying before and after a game are insufficient to fit the
sport for glorifying God. Yea, even the boxers pray before pummelling each other and I believe many of us would
agree that the prayer does not make the violence of the sport acceptable in the sight of the Living God.

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things
[are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good
report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

This is a lovely verse to use in measuring the correctness of many of the things that we partake in in terms of our
lives, and we should use it in measuring sports. The questions to ask ourselves are: is what is depicted true? Is what
we are doing honest? Is the sport we are involved in just? Are the actions we are watching pure? Is all that we see
and do in the games lovely? Is it of good report to not only those around us but to the angels that bear record of our
actions? Does it have virtue, and is it praiseworthy from a Christian point of view? If the sport we are playing fails
any of these tests then we need to bear the points in “James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet
offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.” In mind.

1Cor 6:19,20 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye
have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's.

This verse is a reminder that we are not our own. Therefore, from a sporting perspective, we need to bear in mind to
whom our body belongs and ensure that the use to which we put our bodies glorifies God. We need to ask ourselves
the question as to whether or not our bodies are conducive temples for the Holy Spirit to dwell in as we partake in
the various sports.

2Tim 3:4 ....traitors, rash, conceited, fond of [their own] gratification rather than fond of God; (CLV
Interlinear)

In answering the questions from the verses above, we need to tread very carefully and ensure that the gratification
of our own desires does not supersede our duty to God. Unfortunately, from the time Adam and Eve sinned through
to our degenerate age, every time we sin, we are choosing self-gratification over God-glorification.

Phl 2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other
better than themselves.

By in large, in every sporting game I have been involved in, including those done between SDA
churches, this principle has been trodden underfoot. The word “strife” refers to intrigue and
contention, while the word vainglory refers to “lifting” oneself up and conceitedness.
Essentially anything that is competitive (strife), and that leads to the comparison of skill levels
or ability and hence the feeling of being better or more skilful than another “vainglory”, is
anti-Biblical. I can, without fear of contradiction and having played a variety of sports, safely
say that sport and lowliness of mind are diametrically opposed.

There are other verses from which we can draw Biblical counsel upon this subject, but these
should be sufficient to set us on the track of evaluating the activities that we engage in.

Spirit of Prophecy Foundations

While the Bible does not speak directly about sport, the Spirit of Prophecy is not silent on this matter. As
members of the SDA church, we understand the crucial role that SoP has played in guiding our church from
its inception. It is very sad, however, to see how prophecy has been fulfilled, in that many within have
sought to remove this vital pillar of our faith. The devil has truly stolen a march on us as Adventists by his
subtlety in making us view SoP as a buffet. (ie. We ‘pick and choose’ what we want)

Quotes
This subsection will focus on those quotes that can be construed as supporting the playing of sports. These are
essentially all that I could find, and as I mentioned in the editorial, even though the “guardians of the faith”, the
elders, of the church which I attended, were up in arms and chastising me for being unbalanced in my presentation,
almost 3 years from when I first presented the study to them, I am still waiting for them to give me the promised
quotations in favour of the use of sports.

AH 222
Fathers, . . . combine affection with authority, kindness and sympathy with firm restraint. Give some of your
leisure hours to your children; become acquainted with them; associate with them in their work and in
 their sports, and win their confidence. Cultivate friendship with them, especially with your sons. In this way
you will be a strong influence for good.

The above quotation is timely reminder to fathers on how they are to cultivate friendship with their children, win
their confidence, and be a strong influence for good. It is specifically referring to getting involved in the various play
activities of children. A proper reading of the context leads one to realize that the verb meaning from the definitions
given at the start is meant.

4BIO 446
I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone.

This quotation is often used in support of being involved of the playing of sports of various kinds. There is always a
danger in taking a single line from either scripture or SoP and building a whole theology around it. As will be seen
later, this quote needs to be understood in the context of the paragraph from which it has essentially been yanked.

6T 205
Teachers should sometimes enter into the sports and plays of the little children and teach them how to
play. In this way they may be able to check unkind feelings and actions without seeming to criticize or find
fault. This companionship will bind together the hearts of teachers and pupils, and school will be a delight
to all.

Once again, as was the case two quotations above, it is important to note that the SoP is directing these comments
as a commentary to raising children. It is interesting how even in the “sports and plays” of little children, unkind
feelings and actions are wont to appear. Some of the unkindest feelings and actions that I have witnessed have been
amongst so-called members of the remnant church on the sports’ field.

5T 523
Gymnasium exercises may in some instances be an advantage. They were brought in to supply
the want of useful physical training, and have become popular with educational institutions.

Once again this is also a partial quotation often advanced by those in favour of adults being involved in the playing of
sports against each other. We will cover the full quotation later. Interestingly though, in the above quotation, is the
fact that though some, not all, instances of gymnasium exercises can be an advantage, they are essentially there as a
substitute for “useful physical training.”

Ed 215
As a rule, the exercise most beneficial to the youth will be found in useful employment. The little child
finds both diversion and development in play; and his sports should be such as to promote not only
physical, but mental and spiritual growth. As he gains strength and intelligence, the best recreation will be
found in some line of effort that is useful. That which trains the hand to helpfulness, and teaches the young
to bear their share of life's burdens, is most effective in promoting the growth of mind and character.

The above quote helps us to understand the preceding one in defining for us what kind of exercise is
beneficial to us. Furthermore, it gives guidance as to the kind of sports that we should involve our children
in, giving more context to quotations above on the subject. The three key ingredients to the sports of little
children should be that 1) they promote physical growth, 2) They promote mental growth and 3) they
promote spiritual growth. Unfortunately, most sport that I have seen little children involved in, even at our
own schools, falls flat when put to this test.

It is then key to note a growth progression in the above quote. We are then told “ As he gains strength and
intelligence”, in other words, as the little child grows, his recreation is to be no longer primarily focused on the
aforementioned sports, but should now be along a “line of effort that is useful”. How interesting then, that as adults
we continue to fight for the use of something to be the primary source of our exercise which is “permissible” for
little children, yet not advised for older children; especially bearing in mind that the ‘sports’ we partake in are not in
a pure form.

4BIO 441-446
We cannot here trace in detail the personal struggle Professor Hughes experienced. When, through Miss
Peck, he inquired of Ellen White why, in the light of her counsel that teachers should play with their
students, he should be reproved for what they had done, the answer came that the students at Avondale
were not children but young men and young women preparing to be laborers for God. Then, with his
concordance, he searched his Bible. One of the first references he turned to related to the children of Israel,
when they" sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." Nor were other texts any more helpful. When he
came to recognize that winning in games meant others must fail, he was led to conclude that the spirit of
most games and sports was not the right spirit of the adult Christian. "These thoughts," he declared,
"brought me out of darkness into light, and I left behind me an experience which was a very trying one."

If there was any doubt in anyone’s mind that when SoP referred to playing of sport, it was to be tightly
regulated, and was intended for children in the context of the verb definition, then the quote above should
dispel it. It is clear from the part in bold that any advice EGW gave regarding playing of sport was not
aimed at young men and women. Why then, remnant of Israel, do many of us continue to insist, when we
are no longer young men and women, in being involved in these sporting activities?

I find it intriguing how the tables have turned over history. Professor Hughes, above, was much troubled by
the issue of playing sports and was led to believe that he had been in darkness. Yet, now, just about every
Adventist school that I know about is involved in competitive sport, often as part of a league, and often the
hours around the Sabbath are not guarded, if at all sacredly kept as a result. How true his conclusion, that
the concept of others failing in order for you to win, is not in accordance with the Bible. Well spoke he that
“the spirit of most games and sports was not the right spirit of the adult Christian”.

5T 523
Gymnasium exercises may in some instances be an advantage. They were brought
in to supply the want of useful physical training, and have become popular with
educational institutions; but they are not without drawbacks. Unless carefully
regulated, they are productive of more harm than good. Some have suffered lifelong
physical injury through these gymnasium sports. The manual training connected with
our schools, if rightly conducted, will largely take the place of the gymnasium.

This is a fuller quotation to give context to the quote that we gave above. While SoP
does not, in this quote, urge the doing away of physical training in the gymnasiums, she mentions that
there are drawbacks, gives examples, and proposes an alternative. EGW speaks about the careful
regulation required in order to ensure that good, rather than harm, comes from gymnasium sports. I do
not believe that any, who has been involved in sport, can deny the physical injuries that we have witnessed
or been affected by. Do you believe that suffering injuries in the course of being involved in something that
is mainly for the gratification of self is an acceptable sacrifice to God? Do the gymnasium sports that we
may be involved in help in the improvement of our physical, mental and spiritual beings? Lastly, SoP gives
guidance on what would be best, “manual training”, and we shall return to this later.

CH 189
Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing, have become schools of brutality. They
are developing the same characteristics as did the games of ancient Rome. The love of domination, the
 pride in mere brute force, the reckless disregard of life, are exerting upon the youth a power to demoralize
that is appalling.
Other athletic games, though not so brutalizing, are scarcely less objectionable, because of the excess
to which they are carried. They stimulate the love of pleasure and excitement, thus fostering a distaste for
useful labor, a disposition to shun practical duties and responsibilities. They tend to destroy a relish for
life's sober realities and its tranquil enjoyments. Thus the door is opened to dissipation and lawlessness,
with their terrible results.

The above statement, takes a look at what was then considered the one extreme in terms of sports,
football (American) and boxing and these are said to be demoralizing. These are then contrasted with
athletics, which is deemed scarcely less objectionable. On this scale, I would venture that most sport that
we tend to be involved in tends to fall between the two and includes the latter.

It cannot be denied that partaking in sport does stimulate a love of pleasure and excitement, and fosters a
distaste for useful labour and shunning of practical responsibilities. One merely has to look at the time we
invest in these pleasure seeking activities and contrast it with the time we spend doing evangelism to
understand how pathetic we have become. One merely has to observe how excited and nervous we
become as Adventists when we watch and play these games to realise how our love of pleasure rules us.
Which one of us can honestly say that after playing the sports that we tend to be involved in, that we feel
like taking up the Bible and studying it, let alone cleaning the house or doing gardening, or going door-to-
door?

I really need not comment on the last sentence on how sport leaves the door open to dissipation and
lawlessness, save to say read the newspapers on the goings on during and after sporting events.

TM 83-84
Turn to another scene. In the streets of the city is a party gathered for a bicycle race. In this company
also are those who profess to know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. But who that looks upon the
exciting race would think that those who were thus exhibiting themselves were the followers of Christ? …….
Is God glorified by these performances? Satan is playing the game of life for these souls, and he is well
pleased with that which he sees and hears.
The once earnest Christian who enters into these sports is on the downgrade.
He has left the region pervaded by the vital atmosphere of heaven, and has
plunged into an atmosphere of mist and fog .....
But there is unmistakable evidence that God is forgotten. He is not in all their
thoughts. These parties of pleasure and gatherings for exciting sports, made up of
those who profess to be Christians, are a profanation of religion and the name of
God.

Above is a quotation that goes to the heart of the great controversy that is
raging when we partake or involved in watching sports. We are told that Satan is well pleased when he
sees professed Christians gathered to watch the “bicycle race”, and by extension other similar sporting
gatherings. We are further told that gathering in such places means that we are on the slippery downward
spiritual slope and that we have left the atmosphere of heaven in so doing.

EGW then mentions a truth that many of us never consider, that when our hearts are so centred on the excitement
of these sports, God is not on our thoughts. We are so caught up in the adrenaline rush, and in being in the company
of the ungodly, many of whom use language that would make a sailor blush, that there is no space for God. I will
quote the last sentence lest any of us missed it – “These parties of pleasure and gatherings for exciting sports, made
up of those who profess to be Christians, are a profanation of religion and the name of God.” Parties, in the
preceding statement, refers to a get-together, and profanation means deviation or sacrilege. Strong words indeed.

CT 348-352
In the night season I was a witness to the performance that was carried on on the school grounds. The
students who engaged in the grotesque mimicry that was seen, acted out the mind of the enemy, some in a
very unbecoming manner. A view of things was presented before me in which the students were playing
games of tennis and cricket. Then I was given instruction regarding the character of
these amusements. They were presented to me as a species of idolatry, like the
idols of the nations.
There were more than visible spectators on the ground. Satan and his angels
were there, making impressions on human minds. Angels of God, who minister to
those who shall be heirs of salvation, were also present, not to approve, but to
disapprove. They were ashamed that such an exhibition should be given by the
professed children of God. The forces of the enemy gained a decided victory, and God was dishonored. He
who gave His life to refine, ennoble, and sanctify human beings was grieved at the performance.

In the above vision, it is presented to EGW that the students that were involved in playing tennis and
cricket, considered in our day to be refined and genteel sports, were acting out the mind of the devil. She is
further shown that the sports themselves are a species of idolatry, like the idols of the nations. In other
words, being involved in the playing, and watching of these sports is a direct transgression of the first two
commandments. Consider this carefully the next time you partake in or watch sports.

The quote goes on to look at the specatators that were present at the ground watching the goings on.
There were angels all around, and those that were making the lasting impressions on the minds were those
of Satan. The angels of the Living God were there as well, but only to disapprove and record in unerring
detail what was going on. In the end, the enemy gained the decided victory and the Godhead was grieved. I
wonder if we ever think of the grief that we cause God when we are involved in these amusements. It is no
light thing to grieve He who ransomed His life to save you.

AH 500
Is the eye single to the glory of God in these games? I know that this is not so. There is a losing sight of
God's way and His purpose. The employment of intelligent beings, in probationary time, is superseding
God's revealed will and substituting for it the speculations and inventions of the human agent, with Satan
by his side to imbue with his spirit. . . .The Lord God of heaven protests against the burning passion
cultivated for supremacy in the games that are so engrossing.

While this quote does not mention sport by name, it speaks of engrossing games, which principle definitely
applies to sports. Essentially, it is a reminder to us that we are living in probationary time and that being
involved in these games is superseding God’s revealed will. In other words, it is not God’s will that we lose
sight of our purpose on this earth and get involved in these activities.

CT 456
I could refer to chapter after chapter of the Old Testament Scriptures that contain great encouragement.
These Scriptures are a treasure house of precious pearls, and all need them. How much time is spent by
intelligent human beings in horse racing, cricket matches, and ball playing! But will indulgence in these
sports give men a desire to know truth and righteousness? Will it keep God in their thoughts? Will it lead
them to inquire, How is it with my soul?
My comment on the above is that we need to answer the questions posed truthfully. Comparing the
amount of time we tend to spend on these pleasure seeking initiatives, to the amount of time we spend in
prayerful study of the Word and in the field that is ready for harvest, will reveal to us who it is that holds
the supremacy in our lives. Unfortunately, for most of us that are involved in sports, it is not the God that
created the heavens and the earth who has our greatest attention.

RH 06-13-07
….." Satan has devised a multitude of ways in which to keep men from serving God. He has invented
sports and games, into which men enter with such intensity that one would suppose a crown of life was to
reward the winner. At the horse races and football matches, which are attended by thousands and
thousands of people, lives for which Christ shed his blood are thrown away. What will become of the souls
of the men and boys whose lives are thus extinguished? Will they be counted worthy of the redemption
which Christ died to secure for them?

Given that we are rational beings that understand that we are living at the close of earth’s history, surely
the above quote stating that Satan has invented sports and games should cause us to sit back and analyse
our past-times. We are here reminded of how lives for which Christ shed his blood are thrown away at
sporting events. Therefore, not only are those that are playing imperilling their eternal lives but also those
that are watching. We each need to answer the question; “Do I want to be counted worthy of
redemption?” If the answer is affirmative, then we ought to follow counsel given to us by the servant of
the Lord.

4BIO 446-447
I do not condemn the simple exercise of playing ball; but this, even in its simplicity, may be overdone. I
shrink always from the almost sure result which follows in the wake of these amusements. It leads to an
outlay of means that should be expended in bringing the light of truth to souls that are perishing out of
Christ. The amusements and expenditures of means for self-pleasing, which lead on step by step to self-
glorifying, and the education in these games for pleasure produces a love and passion for such things that
are not favorable to the perfection of Christian character.

I can very easily identify with the sure result of the simple exercise of playing ball. Often, the money that
we expend in order to get appropriate kit for the games we play, the investment in fuel to get to these
places where we play, and the time that we spend playing the games, are stupendous. Add to that, the
amounts we pay to watch these games can get mind-boggling. Yet, we hardly spend
a proportionate amount on souls that are perishing for Christ. Further, it is true that
excelling in sport leads to self-glorifying. I remember how I would often be eager to
get the newspapers on Sunday and Monday mornings to see whether or not my
name would appear on the back pages after our Saturday afternoon matches. At
school level, I remember being puffed up whenever I overheard how well others
thought I had played. I remember the pride on hearing I was certain student’s hero
and how it was that a large number of them looked up to me because of what I had achieved. And which
sportsman can deny feeling proud at the attention showered upon them by members of the opposite sex
because of their abilities? Now I ask myself the question; did any of this help me to develop a character like
that of my Saviour? The resounding answer is NAY!

RH 03-06-94
The panic of desire is so contagious that even church-members, professed Christians, are carried away with
the excitement and give countenance to the races by presenting themselves as spectators. If they do not
bet on the races, they are still one with the transactors in spirit, and their doings are registered and
 condemned in the courts of heaven. They are reckoned among the godless company, and must give an
account to God for their wasted time and money.

This is a more direct quotation that deals with being spectators at such places as God does not approve.
While is speaks directly about “the races”, the principle applies to other such gatherings. EGW points out
that by presenting ourselves at the races and sporting events, even if we are not partaking in
playing/racing, or in betting on the outcomes, we are reckoned in the books of life as one with the
transactors. We are CONDEMNED in the books of heaven. When we are before the judgement seat, we
shall have to give account for both the wasted time and money.

I have, of late, been saddened to see how many Seventh Day Adventists are so taken up with the satanic
World Cup fiasco that will shortly take place on our shores. My heart has bled at the thought of how many
have expended means on the purchasing of tickets and other paraphernalia while the work of God suffers
for a lack of means. It still continues to bleed at the thought of how many of them will join with the godless
company at the stadiums or in front of their TV sets, and be registered and condemned in the books of
heaven. How awful that the remnant have come to this and are so blind to accepting messages from the
Spirit of Prophecy.

6BC 1089
This glorious contest is before us. The apostle seeks to inspire us to enter into a noble emulation, a
competition in which will be seen no selfishness, unfairness, or underhanded work. We are to use every
spiritual nerve and muscle in the contest for the crown of life. No one who does his best will fail in this
contest.

I included this quote to contrast sports in our day and age with the higher calling that we have as sons and
daughters of the Creator. The completion we are to be involved in has no selfishness – all sports that I have
ever been involved in or watched have the potential to and often involve large doses of selfishness. Very
seldom is there a sports match that concludes without the questioning of fairness. By nature, all sport has
an element of deception, hence contains “underhanded work”. The competition we are to be involved in is
one in which all that desire to make it to heaven will not fail. That is where we, as the remnant, are to
concentrate our time.

I have, in the above, taken a sampling of the quotations from SoP that speak directly about sports. There
are many others which I could have included, but these should be enough for any that is truly seeking to
know truth to make a start in studying and seeking to understand the will of God.

The question is often asked, “if we are not to play sports, then wherewith shall we get exercise that we
need for our bodies to remain in a healthy condition?” Below are a few quotations, on which I will not
expand (except for the second last quote), that will begin to answer this inquiry. You will find in them a
contrasting of the use of sports for exercise and the ideal exercise.

CT 312
Let the students who are engaged in building do their tasks with thoroughness,
and let them learn from these tasks lessons that will help in their character building.
In order to have perfect characters, they must make their work as perfect as
possible. Into every line of labor let there be brought that stability which means true
economy. If in our schools the land were more faithfully cultivated, the buildings
more disinterestedly cared for by the students, the love of sports and amusements,
which causes so much perplexity in our schoolwork, would pass away.
11MR 160-161
The Healdsburg College has been presented to me as being demoralized by disgraceful games. Games
have been allowed such as God disapproves. It was to prevent this kind of thing that the Lord gave counsel
to the effect that students should learn useful trades. .
Where were these watchmen when these unseemly games and athletic sports, these trials of animal
strength and exhibition of physical skill were in progress? Students could have had this class of education at
home. . . . But do not substitute play, pugilistic boxing, football, matched games, and animal exercises, for
manual training. All of this stripe and type should be vigilantly prohibited from the school grounds

MS 73, 1912
In the place of providing diversions that merely amuse, arrangements should be made for exercises that
will be productive of good. Satan would lead the students, who are sent to our schools to receive an
education that will enable them to go forth as workers in God's cause, to believe that amusements are
necessary to physical health. But the Lord has declared that the better way is for them to get physical
exercise through manual training, and by letting useful employment take the place of selfish pleasure. The
desire for amusement, if indulged, soon develops a dislike for useful, healthful exercise of body and mind,
such as will make students efficient in helping themselves and others.

CG 352
Every day there is housework to be done--cooking, washing dishes, sweeping, and dusting. Mothers, have
you taught your daughters to do these daily duties? . . . Their muscles need exercise. In the place of getting
exercise by jumping and playing ball or croquet, let their exercise be to some purpose.

CT 274
The public feeling is that manual labor is degrading, yet men may exert themselves as much as they
choose at cricket, baseball, or in pugilistic contests, without being regarded as degraded. Satan is
delighted when he sees human beings using their physical and mental powers in that which does not
educate, which is not useful, which does not help them to be a blessing to those who need their help.
While the youth are becoming expert in games that are of no real value to themselves or to others, Satan is
playing the game of life for their souls, taking from them the talents that God has
given them, and placing in their stead his own evil attributes. It is his effort to lead
men to ignore God. He seeks to engross and absorb the mind so completely that God
will find no place in the thoughts. He does not wish people to have a knowledge of
their Maker, and he is well pleased if he can set in operation games and theatrical
performances that will so confuse the senses of the youth that God and heaven will
be forgotten.

MS 92, 1900
They said they were perplexed to know what to do with the students' Sunday afternoons. They thought they
could unite with them in these games and they would not be strolling around in the bush. I said, "Is there
not an abundance of work to be done on this farm where all the energy and tact would be turned to the
most useful account in a good work?" . . . All are to be rightly educated as in the schools of the prophets. . . .
Let another teacher . . . educate how to do work in helping some of the worthy poor about us. There are
houses that can be built. Get your students under a man who is a builder and see if you cannot find
something that can be done in the lines of education and in the lines of holiness.

FE 229
 I cannot find an instance in the life of Christ where He devoted time to play and amusement. He was the
great Educator for the present and the future life. I have not been able to find one instance where He
educated His disciples to engage in amusement of football or pugilistic games, to obtain physical exercise,
or in theatrical performances; and yet Christ was our pattern in all things. Christ, the world's Redeemer,
gave to every man his work and bids them "occupy till I come."

3SM 258
Every working of Christ in miracles was essential, and was to reveal to the world that there was a great
work to be done on the Sabbath day for the relief of suffering humanity, but the common work was not to
be done. Pleasure seeking, ball playing, swimming, was not a necessity, but a sinful neglect of the sacred
day sanctified by Jehovah.

I felt I had to add this quotation from the Spirit of Prophecy in light of many a discussion that I have heard
about the appropriateness of various activities on the Sabbath. If you believe in God, are a member of the
true remnant and hence believe that EGW was inspired, then there remaineth no space for discussing the
matter further. The issue is finished and closed. Don’t do it, it is wilful breaking of the 4 th Commandment!

TM 85
Satan has been multiplying his snares in Battle Creek (and just about every Laodecian congregation in our
time); and professed Christians who are superficial in character and religious experience are used by the
tempter as his decoys. This class are always ready for the gatherings for pleasure or sport, and their
influence attracts others. Young men and young women who have tried to be Bible Christians are
persuaded to join the party, and they are drawn into the ring. They did not prayerfully consult the divine
standard, to learn what Christ had said in regard to the fruit to be borne on the Christian tree. They do not
discern that these entertainments are really Satan's banquet, prepared to keep souls from accepting the
call to the marriage supper of the Lamb; they prevent them from receiving the white robe of character,
which is the righteousness of Christ. They become confused as to what it is right for them as Christians to
do. They do not want to be thought singular, and naturally incline to follow the example of others. Thus they
come under the influence of those who have never had the divine touch on heart or mind.

Saints, the time has come for us to cease to hanker after and dwell upon the leaks and the garlic of Egypt.
The time has come for us to take a decided stand upon Christ. How long halt ye between two opinions?
How long will you stand with one foot in the world and one in the church? You have to make the choice
today. Will you follow the dictates of your own heart along the path prepared by the devil, or will you take
the less travelled route and head on the upward path. As Adventists, we do have a sure word of prophecy.
As Adventists, we are not left ignorant on the question of sports. As Adventists, we have gone awhoring on
this issue, but the choice is for each one of us to make as individuals. As for me and my house, we will
serve the Lord. What of you?