Can you imagine a time when players thought LeBron James was unworthy of playing basketball in the NBA? When he was just an 18-year-old phenom, but he wasn’t considered by everyone to be “the next Michael Jordan.”

Though James was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft, some teammates had trouble checking their egos. Carlos Boozer said, “We have better players than him at his position already on our team.” Darius Miles went even further, “I don’t think you can just bring a high school player in and really just think your team is gonna turn around.” Paul Silas, the head coach, was unsuccessful in getting the veterans to embrace him. “Their egos wouldn’t allow it,” Silas told ESPN. Despite the jealousy, James went on to win Rookie of the Year and averaged 20 points per game. He helped his teammates improve from 17 wins before he was drafted to 35 wins his rookie season.

Ephesians 4 – Walk in a Manner Worthy

Many teams struggle with keeping their egos in check, which always results in chaos that destroys team unity. That should not be the case with Christian coaches and athletes. Paul addresses both problems in Ephesians 4. In previous chapters, he trained them in deep theology, and now he moves them into practice. As believers, we’re to live differently. Our speech, relationships, identities, and priorities must sync with the Kingdom of God.

Paul makes the point that because of the believers calling and position in Christ, we must walk in a manner worthy of that calling (4:1). These practical actions include humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, love, unity, peace, and hope (4:2-6). This is how the Ephesians walked in a manner worthy of their calling. It’s also how the unity of the body is achieved in the process of spiritual growth. 

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete set aside the “old self” and put on the “new self,” empowered by the Spirit, to live lives that please God (4:17-32). They put Christ first, others second, and self—last.

Bible Memory Verse – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 (LSB)