It happens every year. Somewhere, someone on some team destroys it. He, whether he is a player, coach, or parent, can’t keep his mouth shut and his negativity spreads like a fast-growing cancer, killing everything and everyone it touches. Infighting, discontent, jealousy, angry outbursts, and team failure all likely occur at some point.
Simply put, if you’re a believer in Jesus, you have no right to be THAT guy. You have been called to something different and it includes the potential cancers you can spread with your words.
Proverbs 16:28–“A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends.”
Strife and separation. All because someone decided to speak when keeping silent would have been more productive.
Here’s how this applies:
Coaches, what you say about your players to other players, coaches, and parents matters. It does, and you’re responsible for it. If you run down a player, don’t be surprised when it happens to you or when that becomes the culture of your program.
Parents, what you say about players, coaches, and other parents to your kids and friends matters. For some, it’s time to repent and admit to the Lord you need his forgiveness in this area.
Players, what you say about your teammates and coaches to other teammates and your parents matters. You may not agree with everything your coach does, or even the way he teaches hitting or fielding or whatever. Yet, you have no right to mock or disrespect him to his face or behind his back. You have a higher calling.
You can spread strife and separate friends. Or, you can be the kind of coach, parent, or teammate Jesus has called you to be. Your choice.
Lord Jesus, help me take this to heart. I need your self-control with what I say. Live through me as a coach, parent, or player. Amen.
