21 You have heard that it was said to the men of old, You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court.
22 But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be liable to andunable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire.
Matthew 5:21-22 AMPC
Don't Act out of Anger
When I played football at Florida State University, from my freshman to junior season, I played with malice in my heart . Malice is the intention of hurting others. Playing with anger in my heart for no reason, is not pleasing to the Lord. I would use offensive language and talk trash on the football field and played with a prideful heart. There was no reason for me to play a fun sport in anger and with the intention of hurting others. Football is a great sport and it can be played with the right heart motives. If we do things in anger and let it out on others, we are in sin.
26 When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down.
27 Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].
Ephesians 4:26-27 AMPC
By God’s mercy and grace, He convicted me and helped change the way I played the game.
During my senior year at Florida State University, I stopped talking trash, fighting, and playing with the intention of hurting people on the field. During that same year, I became a Sporting News First Team All-American and Sports Illustrated Third Team All-American. I felt like the Lord was rewarding me because I played to glorify Him. I didn’t play just for myself. At one point during the season, I was averaging 34.4 yards a return. Praise God! It is possible to play football with the right heart intentions and do well.