The sport of cycling is infamous for its culture of cheating—made famous by Lance Armstrong and his use of performance-enhancing drugs. Many of the riders were putting steroids into their bodies to improve their performances. A few years after cycling dealt with the riders who had been doping, it was discovered that riders were enhancing their bike’s performance.

An engineer in Budapest built the first secret bike motor in 1998, but it wasn’t discovered until 2017. The engines were hidden in the bike frames and gave riders an advantage in the Tour de France and other races.

It’s hard to say if cycling is the most immoral sport in the last couple of decades, but between doping and cyclists cheating with bike frames fitted with small motors, they surely would be in the running. A former rider, Tyler Hamilton, said, “I guess we should have known this was coming. There’s more pressure in today’s cycling world than ever to win.”

1 Thessalonians 4 – Sanctification

When the culture of sports is morally collapsing around us, what do believers do? A great starting place for strengthening our standards is 4:1-8. Paul wanted the Thessalonian Christians to be established “without blame in holiness” (3:13). He knew in his day there was a real threat for young believers to be tempted by immorality.

Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to work on their sanctification. He emphasized ongoing “sanctification,” which is the process of believers being made progressively more holy and set apart from evil. Paul focuses on sexual impurity (vv. 3-8) and brotherly love (vv. 9-12). Being part of God’s team means pursuing holiness in every area of life, no matter what the world is doing. The goal of each of these challenges is growing in Christlikeness and evangelism.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete avoid any and every form of sexual practice, such as adultery, premarital and extramarital intercourse, and other perversions that are outside of God’s revealed will. They know they will be tempted, so they lean on God, His Word, and Spirit to live a life that honors Him.

Bible Memory Verse – So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (LSB)