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None of this is to say that Christians should not compete, and compete hard. The Apostle Paul often compares the Christian life to a race (for example, in 1 Cor. 9:24-27 and Gal. 2:2). In biblical times, sports competitions were common. If we have the talent and drive, we can and should compete. If we have the interest, we can and should root for our teams. But we should never let our affection for any particular team—or our desire for any particular victory—overwhelm our understanding of how God wants us to live.

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A ready-to-download Bible Study on this article is available at ChristianBibleStudies.com. These unique Bible studies use articles from current issues of Christianity Today to prompt thought-provoking discussions in adult Sunday school classes or small groups.

Recent Christianity Today columns by Stephen L. Carter include:

Roe vs. Judicial Sense | Forget briefly its immorality—it's just bad law (July 1, 2003)

Willing to Lose | By voting we place our hope in the next world. (March 4, 2003)

Virtue via Vouchers | The Supreme Court's recent decision can help prevent more corporate scandals. (Dec. 4, 2002)

Remedial History | The educational establishment seems confused about our spiritual heritage. (July 10, 2002)

Uncle Sam Is Not Your Dad | The separation of church and state protects families too. (March 22, 2002)

A Quiet Compromise | Why a moment of silence is better than school prayer. (Feb. 25, 2002)

Leaving 'Normal' Behind | Life before September 11 seemed more secure, but do we really want it back? (Dec. 4, 2001)

Rudeness Has a First Name | Instant informality actually sabotages true friendship. (Nov. 2, 2001)

Why Rules Rule | Debates on the Ten Commandments expose our culture's ultimate rift. (Sept. 6, 2001)

We Interrupt This Childhood | Parents who raise their children to do right face a barrage of resistance. (July 11, 2001)

And the Word Turned Secular | Christians should count the cost of the state's affirmation. (May 29, 2001)

Vouching for Parents | Vouchers are not an attack on public schools but a vote of trust in families. (Apr. 2, 2001)

The Courage to Lose | In elections, and in life, there is something more important than winning. (Feb. 6, 2001)

For more coverage of sports from a Christian perspective, see Sports Spectrum.

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September 2003, Vol. 47, No. 9