Three bench clearings happened during the Yankees and Tigers baseball game 2017, with players exchanging punches leading to 8 ejections, seven fines, and five suspensions. It all began when Miguel Cabrera got angry and lashed out.

Cabrera, who began the bench-clearing brawl when he was shoved before throwing the first punch at Yankee catcher Austin Romine, said, “You don’t want to see that. You don’t want to see people hit in the head. You don’t want to see fighting on the field. But people have to understand we’re human. Sometimes, in the heat of the game, when people throw at you at 97, right at your wrist, you react.”

Titus 2 – Marks of Maturity

Baseball players, like us, need the instruction Paul gave Titus in the second chapter about godliness, self-control, reverence, and commitment to the gospel. Believers are to behave in a manner Paul described because God’s grace has been made known to them. This is what transforms us from people who are worldly and selfish to people who pursue godliness.

Sensible or sober-mindedness is the quality that Paul wanted for all Cretans, probably because they consistently lacked this mark of maturity. Sensible means “moderate,” “prudent,” “modest,” “restrained,” and “disciplined.” It’s the only term the apostle applied to both genders and every age group.

We are being watched. It might not be a crowd of 80,000 fans, but people watch those who play sports. They see coaches and athletes as role models. This includes the way we speak with officials, teammates, and fans. Our words and actions make an impact, so we need to be restrained and disciplined.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete strive to be clearheaded and self-controlled to curb their desires and impulses. They understand it’s not just a matter of living according to specific rules, but grace teaches them to live a life dependent on God, which results in honoring Him.