Former NFL Star Praises College Football Players’ Bold Faith — But Has This Caution
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former NFL star Benjamin Watson sang the praises of the college football players who have boldly declared their faith throughout this season, but he has one caution — make sure your actions align with your words.
“I love hearing so many young athletes publicly proclaiming the name of Christ in victory and defeat,” Watson wrote on X. “My sincere prayer is that their lives bear fruit that matches their proclamation and that spiritual leaders in their spheres commit to discipling them as they navigate the arena of sport and life. May these men and women continue to take advantage of every moment and microphone to give an answer for the hope that is within them!”
READ MORE: ATHLETES PROCLAIM JESUS’ NAME THROUGHOUT COLLEGE FOOTBALL
He recently spoke with Sports Spectrum’s Matt Forte and Jason Romano to explain his encouragement to the rising athletes, quoting 1 Timothy 4:16: “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
“That’s Paul admonishing Timothy, his protege in the faith, that he has to watch his doctrine, what he believes, and watch his life, and the two things need to match up,” Watson said on the “Sports Spectrum” podcast. “There needs to be integrity of proclamation and purpose. Because we all know in our own lives we are prone to hypocrisy, we are prone to say one thing and do something else. We’re probably gonna jump on the bandwagon, and that’s why Satan jumps on us and heaps so much guilt and shame on us and shuts us up when we proclaim something, but our life isn’t matching.”
Jesus in John 15:15 offers a similar encouragement: “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.” In other words, if we claim to love Jesus, then our actions will match our words.
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