I get this question often.
So is it?
Well yes and no.
Sports are a great thing. I believe playing football at a young age made me who I am today.
Sports can build you up and strengthen you.
But where can we draw the line? When does it become a sin?
There're two questions we must ask ourselves when it comes to playing sports
1. Do you we put the sport above our personal relationship with God?
Anything that we put above God is an idol.
This was the first of the 10 commandments. "You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3)
We serve a jealous God. This means God has an intense love and passion for His children. This is the agape, unconditional love of God. Anything that we put before Him will draw us away from Him.
2. What is the reason you're playing the sport?
I knew a lot of people that play sports to impress their friends, make their parents happy, or because they'd have guilt and shame if they didn't.
We are called to do everything for the glory of God.
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
How can you play sports for the glory of God?
A great way to start is coming before God before practice and the game saying a short prayer.
"God I surrender this practice to you. Let my actions and words bring honor to Your name. Let Your name be magnified through me. Let Your Spirit work through me today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen"
Those are two things we should ourselves before we can answer whether or not playing sports is a sin. You can watch the full video teaching by clicking here.