From the bottom of my heart, I don’t know why I did this. I didn’t do it to try to get an edge on anyone; I didn’t do it to try to get stronger, faster or to throw harder. I did it because I was told that it might be able to help me. That’s for other people to decide. If people think I’m lying, then they should call me a cheater. Do I think I’m a cheater? I don’t. God knows my heart.”

These were comments by a major league baseball player who was caught using human growth hormones (HGH). This substance is banned by the league. Since the player was a well-known Christian, one pastor was critical of his first public statement, saying, “Sadly, though he has publicly admitted using HGH, he did not get off to a good start. His first public statement included some ‘if’ statements like ‘If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize.’ I don’t really even know what this sentence means. But I do know that confessions, including the word “if,” quickly move away from a truly biblical confession.”

2 Corinthians 7 – The Source of Grief

The norm for athletes (who are professing Christians) is to conform to the evasive language common when someone has been caught. Second Corinthians 7 provides insight into Paul’s teaching on godly sorrow versus worldly sorrow. He knew that sin must be exposed and grieved over for a person to turn away from it and turn back to God. Many athletes and coaches express the grief that comes from being caught in sin, not sorrow over sin itself. Facing one’s sin is never easy, but God offers hope and restoration to those who turn to Him in repentance.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete know sin must be exposed and grieved over in their lives before they can repent or turn away from it and turn toward God. They have hope that the Lord will restore their fellowship with Him because of godly sorrow.

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute on Recognizing Sin