How can we balance the desire to perform well with our goal to glorify God in everything we do? Former professional tennis player David Wheaton says that it comes down to the narrative we have in our head and our heart.

 “We have to constantly throughout the day be recognizing what we’re thinking. If it is not the way God wants us to think, we need to replace those thoughts with the truth of God’s Word.”

So easily our thoughts stray from seeking God’s glory to seeking our own success. This is where we need to use Scripture to fight for truth.

“Instead be recognizing that that is not thinking the right way. I need to think a different way, I need to replace those wrong thoughts with the truth of Scripture. It is almost like temptation.”

Satan looks for ways to influence our thoughts. Even Christ was faced by temptation from Satan. When Christ recognized the lies He was quick to replace them with Scripture.

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind,  and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Ephesians 4:20-24

Like Christ, we need to learn to do this.

“There is this idea of put off your old self and put on the new man. But you can only do that when you are being immersed daily in the Word of God, when the holy spirit is being immersed in your mind.”

Highlight: Replacing wrong thoughts with Scripture

Honoring God through sports