Many once considered Barry Bonds the greatest baseball player ever. His career statistics are among the greatest ever produced by a Major League Baseball player. However, he allegedly used HGH and other steroids during his career to enhance his incredible skills. While his statistics skyrocketed, his denial of using steroids has resulted in him being denied entry to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Joshua 7-8 – Hidden Sin

Covetousness is the desire for someone else’s wealth or possessions. This is a common sin in sports, but it was also the problem Israel faced following Jericho’s incredible victory. As part of that victory, God instructed the Israelites not to take anything away from Jericho after its fall. Everything was to be destroyed as a sacrifice to God. The Lord had claimed the entire city of Jericho for Himself, and it was to be dedicated to Him and utterly set apart from the people.

A soldier named Achan coveted and concealed silver and gold, thinking God wasn’t watching him take it. He broke God’s covenant, stole from God, and then lied to God and Israel. Sin makes us weak. It interrupts God’s power. We don’t get by with sin. Secret sin on earth is an open scandal in heaven. God knows. We don’t defeat it—God does. Only the Holy Spirit can control the flesh and produce a Christ-like walk.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete never try to hide sin; it only disgraces the Lord’s name. They openly admit their sin and acknowledge that they are guilty of breaking God’s holy standard.

Bible Verse: “Now it happened when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how Yahweh had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel.” Joshua 5:1 (LSB)