Sunday as a day of rest goes back to the Bible’s teachings on the Sabbath. While sports aren’t specifically mentioned, the Bible emphasizes taking time to honor God. Let’s explore how this teaching applies to today’s activities.
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What Does The Bible Say About Playing Sports On Sunday
Exodus 20:8
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of setting aside a day to honor and worship God. It emphasizes the sacredness of the Sabbath and encourages us to prioritize spiritual activities on this day.
Isaiah 58:13-14
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the LORD’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words, then you will find your joy in the LORD.”
This passage stresses the importance of treating the Sabbath as a day of delight and honor. It encourages us to refrain from pursuing our own desires and instead focus on finding joy and fulfillment in the Lord on this sacred day.
Genesis 2:2-3
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
In this verse, we see God setting the example of resting on the seventh day. It establishes the Sabbath as a day of rest and emphasizes the significance of observing this rest as a way to honor God and His creation.
Mark 2:27
“Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’”
This verse illustrates Jesus’ reminder that the Sabbath was intended to benefit humanity. It encourages us to approach the Sabbath with a mindset of appreciation for the rest and spiritual rejuvenation it offers.
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
These verses emphasize the importance of gathering together as believers. While playing sports on Sundays can bring enjoyment and physical activity, it is essential to prioritize fellowship and spiritual growth by participating in church gatherings and engaging in acts of love and service.
Exodus 31:15
“For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, holy to the LORD.”
This verse reiterates the commandment to observe the Sabbath as a day of rest dedicated to the Lord. It encourages us to set aside worldly activities, including playing sports, and focus on worshiping and honoring God on this day.
Matthew 12:12
“How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”
These words of Jesus highlight the importance of prioritizing acts of kindness and compassion over strict adherence to legalistic interpretations of Sabbath observance. While playing sports can be a joyful activity, it is crucial to evaluate whether it aligns with the principle of doing good on the Sabbath.
Isaiah 56:2
“Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.”
This verse praises those who honor the Sabbath and refrain from engaging in activities that desecrate its sanctity. It encourages us to use the Sabbath as a time to refrain from pursuing worldly pursuits and instead focus on matters of righteousness and holiness.
Matthew 12:8
“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
This verse reminds us that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. As His followers, we are called to submit to His authority and seek His guidance on how best to observe the Sabbath, including decisions about participating in sports activities on this designated day of rest.
Jeremiah 17:24-25
“But if you are careful to obey me, declares the LORD, and bring no load through the gates of this city on the Sabbath, but keep the Sabbath day holy by not doing any work on it, then kings who sit on David’s throne will come through the gates of this city with their officials. They and their officials will come riding in chariots and on horses, accompanied by the men of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, and this city will be inhabited forever.”
This passage emphasizes the divine instruction to keep the Sabbath day holy, refraining from work and worldly activities. It assures blessings and prosperity for those who obey this commandment, indicating the significance of honoring the Sabbath in all aspects of life.
Deuteronomy 5:12
“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you.”
This verse is a commandment from God, urging us to observe the Sabbath day and maintain its sanctity as instructed by the Lord. It calls for a diligent effort to honor this day and prioritize spiritual well-being over worldly activities, including playing sports.
Leviticus 23:3
“There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a sabbath to the LORD.”
These words reinforce the commandment to observe the seventh day as a time of rest and sacred assembly. It emphasizes the universal nature of the Sabbath, applying to all believers regardless of their location or personal preferences, including those related to participating in sports activities on this day.
Isaiah 66:23
“From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me,” says the LORD.”
This verse offers a glimpse into the future when all people, united in worship, will honor God from one Sabbath to another. It emphasizes the eternity and universality of Sabbath observance, inviting us to consider the significance of dedicating this day fully to the Lord.
Matthew 12:1-2
“At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.’”
This passage recounts an incident where the Pharisees criticized Jesus and His disciples for perceived Sabbath violations. While playing sports on Sundays may not inherently be unlawful, it prompts us to reflect on the principles behind Sabbath observance and whether engaging in competitive activities aligns with those principles.
Luke 13:14-15
“Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, ‘There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.’ The Lord answered him, ‘You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?’”
This passage highlights Jesus’ rebuke of hypocrisy when it came to Sabbath observance. It challenges us to examine our own actions and motives regarding the Sabbath, including participating in sports activities, to ensure our commitment to honoring the Sabbath aligns with the true spirit of rest and worship.
Colossians 2:16-17
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
These verses remind us that the observance of Sabbath days and religious festivals should not become a basis for judgment among believers. However, this does not negate the significance of the Sabbath. Instead, it directs our focus toward the essence of our faith, which is found in Christ Himself, guiding us in our decisions, including how we spend our Sundays.
Romans 14:5-6
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.”
These verses acknowledge the diversity of perspectives among believers regarding the Sabbath and other specific days. It emphasizes the importance of personal conviction and honoring God in every decision we make, including whether or not to participate in sports activities on Sundays.
Matthew 28:1
“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.”
This verse marks the transition from Sabbath observance in the Old Testament to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, which eventually became known as the Lord’s Day (Sunday). While it does not directly address playing sports on Sundays, it invites us to consider the significance of this day for worship and reflection on the victory of Christ over sin and death.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
These words encourage us to live our lives in a way that brings glory to God. When it comes to playing sports on Sundays, it challenges us to examine our motives and intentions behind our actions, ensuring that our participation in such activities aligns with our desire to honor and glorify God in all things.
Hebrews 4:9-10
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
These verses remind us that as believers, we have the privilege of entering into God’s rest. It offers a deeper understanding of Sabbath observance, not just as a day of physical rest, but as a spiritual rest, where we trust in God’s finished work and find our ultimate rest in Him. This perspective should guide our decisions regarding participating in sports activities on Sundays.
Romans 13:9
“The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
These verses emphasize the central importance of love in the life of a believer. While playing sports on Sundays may bring enjoyment and physical activity, it is crucial to evaluate whether it aligns with the command to love our neighbors. This includes considering the impact on others who may have different perspectives on Sabbath observance and the potential for prioritizing personal desires over acts of love and consideration.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, offering solace and relief from weariness and burdens. When deciding whether to engage in sports activities on Sundays, it is essential to reflect on whether such activities contribute to true rest in Christ or potentially add to our burdens and distractions, hindering our spiritual growth and connection with God.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”
This verse reminds us that there is a time and season for everything in life. It encourages us to consider the appropriate time for different activities, including playing sports, and to prioritize spiritual well-being by setting aside specific times, such as the Sabbath, for devotion and worship.
1 Timothy 4:8
“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.”
This verse acknowledges the value of physical training and exercise. However, it also points to the greater significance of godliness and spiritual growth, which has eternal implications. When contemplating playing sports on Sundays, it highlights the need to prioritize spiritual development, ensuring that our pursuits align with God’s ultimate purposes in our lives.