The Olympics are fun for fans, as we get to watch some sports we don’t normally see. I’ve enjoyed water polo, handball, swimming, and table tennis, and last night, found myself drawn to sport climbing.

Sport climbing (when athletes run up a wall while attached to a harness in about 6-10 seconds) is a new Olympic sport along with karate, skateboarding, and surfboarding.

All of these latest additions bring the total to 33 sports being competed in Tokyo. This also includes baseball and softball which returned after being out of the Olympics for the past 13 years.

When tuning in to the Olympics to peruse all of the different events, we may ask ourselves if activities such as archery, artistic swimming, shooting, sailing, and fencing should be considered sports.

We then probably wonder what determines an Olympic sport…and who actually decides?

In researching this question, I discovered that the International Olympic Committee’s executive board has the responsibility to propose which sports should be included. From there, 99 members of the IOC vote on what’s best for the Olympics based on certain criteria.

As viewers, we still find ourselves questioning whether or not a specific event is a sport based on the biases and standards we’ve created ourselves.

If we’ve participated in something or are drawn to it, we’re probably more likely to justify why it’s a sport. On the other hand, we may downplay other sports at first, but the more time we spend around them, we begin to understand their validity.

As we consider what constitutes a sport, there’s a parallel thought process we experience in our own lives. How many times have we asked ourselves if a particular activity is really a sin? Don’t we also follow up by asking what is sin and who decides?

Ultimately, God is the authority and has given us His Word and commandments to show us what sin is. He has revealed what our lives should include and what’s best for us while pointing to what we should avoid.

However, we still find ourselves questioning whether or not certain behaviors are sin based on the biases, desires, perspectives, and standards we’ve created ourselves. If we participate in something or are drawn to it, we’re probably more likely to justify why it’s not really a sin or downplay how it’s a lesser sin than others.

In 1 John 3:4 (AMP), we’re told that “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness [ignoring God’s law by action or neglect or by tolerating wrongdoing—being unrestrained by His commands and His will].”

James 4:17 (NLT) explains, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

As we follow Jesus and mature in our faith, our greatest desire will be to love God and obey Him, and we’ll understand more clearly what sin is. The more we spend time with Him and in His Word, we’ll be made aware of our own sin and view certain activities differently.

James 1:25 (AMP) says, “But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].”

When we discover a new sin in our lives or an old one returns, instead of questioning whether or not it should be a sin, let’s acknowledge it is based on God’s Word.

By repenting and resting in His grace and forgiveness through Jesus, let’s continue to pursue a life of obedience…and rely on the Spirit’s power.

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16; NLT).

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I wouldn’t justify the sin in my life but rather repent. Thank you for Your grace and forgiveness. Please help me see sin for what it is and choose to live a life of obedience by relying on the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Discussion Questions for PACKS:

1. What is a sin you’ve tried to justify and downplay as not really a sin?

2. In what ways has your faith grown to help you understand certain sins you need to repent from?