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The
Bible on Bodily and Spiritual Health, Sportsmanship, and References
to Sports
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Bible Verse |
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Reference |
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While physical training is important, spiritual
training is the most important.
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...train yourself
to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but
godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the
present life and the life to come. |
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1 Timothy 4:7-8 |
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God has a plan for our lives, and even what seems
impossible is possible.
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If you have raced with men on foot
and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you
stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the
Jordan? |
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Jeremiah 12:5 |
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Good sportsmanship, patience, and encouragement of
others are important values in athletics and in life.
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We who are strong
ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good,
to build him up. |
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Romans 15:1-2 |
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Here, training for competition is compared to
living our lives for Jesus. The difference is that the winner
of a race has a temporary prize, but the prize of those faithful to
Christ is eternal life.
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Do you not know that in a race all
the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a
way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes
into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last;
but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do
not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man
beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that
after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified
for the prize. |
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1 Corinthians 9:22-27 |
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In sports, there is a personal victory in
finishing a race or competition honorably. By staying faithful
to Jesus to the end, our victory is eternal life.
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For I am already
being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my
departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the
race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will
award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who
have longed for his appearing. |
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2 Timothy 4:6-8 |
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In order to finish a marathon, a runner gathers
all of his mental and physical strength. As we live our daily
lives, we are inspired and encouraged by Jesus' sacrifice for us.
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...let us throw off everything that
hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with
perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set
before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such
opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose
heart. |
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Hebrews 12:1-3 |
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Faith in, and obedience to God leads to physical,
mental, and spiritual health.
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Trust in
the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths
straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and
shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment
to your bones. |
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Proverbs 3:5-8 |
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Self-discipline and learning from our mistakes are
important not only in sports, but in our daily lives. |
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He who ignores discipline despises
himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. |
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Proverbs 15:32 |
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Skill and strength bring success.
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If the ax is dull
and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will
bring success. |
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Ecclesiastes 10:10 |
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We can encounter stumbling blocks in sports and in
life. God does not place stumbling blocks in our paths.
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The only thing that counts is faith
expressing itself through love. You were running a good race.
Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That
kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. |
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Galatians 5:6-8 |
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Believers in Christ form one body - the church.
Every person in the church is important.
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The body is a
unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts
are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we
were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or
Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to
drink. |
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1 Corinthians 12:12 |
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Life is a gift from God. Our eternal
spiritual life was bought for us by Jesus Christ's death. |
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Do you not know that your body is a
temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received
from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body. |
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1 Corinthians 6:19-20 |
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The childhood of Jesus.
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And the child
grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of
God was upon him. |
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Luke 2:40 |
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There is physical and spiritual healing through
God.
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Heal me, O LORD, and I will be
healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. |
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Jeremiah 17:14 |
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If
you have questions about Jesus Christ's plan for your life, go to
FAITH.
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