This blog is intended to help Christians who love the sport of paintball to always keep it in perspective. I love paintball. It's probably one of the most engaging sports ever invented. There are a lot of positive points that the sport has to offer. But there is definitely a negative side that has the power - left challenged - to pull a Christian away from Christ.
I strive to maintain my faith and convictions while enjoying this great sport of Paintball. I have been both negatively and positively affected by the sport. I have had opportunities to build strong relationships, be a strong witness for Christ, and enjoyed many other positive experiences. But I've also been challenged in my faith as well. In the articles to follow, I will talk about both these positive and negative experiences.
To those who oppose Paintball...
There is a lot of controversy in the church surrounding Paintball. And frankly, there should be. I know that many people will strongly disagree with many things read here on this blog. To all of you, speak your thoughts! I have no problem with those of you who completely oppose this sport. I encourage you to post your comments freely and openly. I or others may disagree at times, but only with great respect. We all have to live by our convictions, and I greatly respect you for living by yours.
3 comments:
"I strive to maintain my faith and convictions while enjoying this great sport of Paintball..."
I think the key word, there, is "strive." A Christian who is not "striving" is no Christian.
Christianity affords the believer many liberties. It could be argued (and has been) that "all things are lawful, even though they may not necessarily be edifying things" - meaning that (as the Bible puts it) "there is therefore no condemnation (for ANYTHING at all) for those who are in Christ and are called according to His purpose."
This calling is evidenced, in one way, through that "striving for godliness and holiness, to be more like 'Him who made me'..."
Striving indicates an awareness of sin and shortcomings.
If you were unaware of sin, and saw no shortcomings, you would have no reason to strive, and nothing to strive towards, or to achieve.
So long as you are striving, that means you are "trying" - and non-Christians don't do that.
People who are not saved, and are not being "worked over" by the Holy Spirit simply do not care. That they may be sinning in some activity simply never occurs to them; and when told by someone else that they are sinning, the Christian response is "Am I? Lord, reveal this to me..."
The non-Christian response is "No I'm not!" or "Says YOU", or even "Who cares?"
If your attitude towards paintball's "dark-side" (as you put it) ever goes from one of caution to outright disregard, then I would be concerned.
But if you view paintball as simply a liesure activity and not an all-encompassing lifestyle, then you should be quite safe and no one should condemn you for your liberty.
Paintball can be a positive all-encompassing lifestyle. If you don't know this, then you have no idea what paintball is really about to those of us who take it seriously.
Michael,
The conviction that prevents me from playing paintball, as a Christ follower, is:
Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, hence we must take care of them.
Playing paintball means you are WILLINGLY inflicting damage (from the impacts ie. bruises) on your body (and others' too).
Therefore, I understand it that doing so is willingly damaging your temple of the Holy Spirit.
PLEASE email me your thoughts on this (if you have time) to richard_AT_sadie.co.za
thanks :)
(replace _AT_ with @)
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