The city of Louisville has been abuzz the past two weeks following accusations of immoral and illegal activity in the University of Louisville’s basketball program. A local prostitute has written a book in which she claims an assistant coach paid her and her daughters to “escort” potential recruits and entertain some of the team’s players.
The head coach, athletics director and school president have stated emphatically they were unaware of any of the alleged activity and are devastated by the scandal. However, this past Tuesday an ESPN broadcaster claimed the accusations have been confirmed by at least five former recruits and players.
We would be wise to avoid gossip and wait for the whole truth to be disclosed – remember the Duke Lacrosse accusations that proved to be unfounded? But, in the meantime, here are some Biblical truths that I think provide a spiritual perspective and realistic hope.
(1) The carnal nature of man is capable of horrendous evil.
Everyone is asking: How could this possibly happen? How could a young coach and the players make such ridiculous choices? Why would they endanger the integrity of an entire program for such tawdry activity? What were they thinking?
Romans 1:28-32 gives the answer. “Since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil, they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
When a culture disowns God and everyone does what is right in their own eyes, people are capable of horrendous evil because we are all polluted with the sin nature of Adam. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9)
(2) There is a standard of right and wrong after all.
Those who scoff at the Bible insist that people should be free to choose what is right for themselves. We’ve been told, “There is no source of absolute truth. So don’t try to impose your values on anyone else. One truth claim is just as valid as another.”
But there’s a common agreement that it was wrong for an assistant coach to bring prostitutes into a dorm to entertain players. Who says it’s wrong? The conscience? The conscience can be seared. The legal system? What is legal in one state may be illegal in another. Majority opinion? The majority in Germany elected Adolph Hitler. J. Vernon McGee says majority opinion sometimes means you have a lot of fools in one place.
For those who follow Christ, the Bible provides the foundation for right and wrong. People are free to disagree with that conviction, but it’s inconsistent to argue that morality is subjective if you contend the alleged activity at UL is wrong.
The Bible says that God has written His Word in the hearts of men. Even in a culture that rejects God, there is a faint memory of God’s truth etched in our souls so that we instinctively retain some semblance of right and wrong. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth: Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)
(3) There are times when it’s appropriate to judge the behavior of others.
Anyone who attempts to stand for God’s truth has heard the shallow accusations, “Who are you to judge?” “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” “People have to be true to themselves so don’t be judgmental.”
But this current scandal exposes the folly of super-tolerance. Reporters are calling on university officials to make judgments and take action. The NCAA officials are expected to make judgments and impose sanctions following their investigation. ESPN and national television personalities are casting stones at coaches and university officials. The local police are investigating and may make arrests and impose punishments. Most everyone concurs, there is a time when it’s appropriate to practice judgment.
The Bible confirms that. Jesus said we’re not to judge unless we are willing to have the same standard applied to our own lives. (Matthew 7:1-1-2) He also said, “by their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16) And, “Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgment.” (John 7:24)
(4) There is an enemy whose goal is to kill, steal and destroy.
Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) God loves us and seeks to save us. But sin steals joy, kills reputations and destroys dreams.
Satan is crafty. He promotes sin as pleasurable, innocent, and exciting. But, “The wages of sin is death,” (Romans 6:23); “. . .be sure your sin will find you out;” (Numbers 32:23) “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.” (Luke 8:17)
James wrote, “Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)
(5) Sports are a good diversion but not the source of life.
Jesus said, “The world and its desires pass away but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)
Everything this world offers us is temporary. Its pleasures are fleeting – including the excitement of an NCAA championship. Only God’s truth endures. If your world revolves around U.L. sports, you’re devastated right now. If your world revolves around your relationship with Christ, you’re disappointed, but life goes on.
John Wooden, legendary UCLA basketball coach was once asked why he carried a small wooden cross in his pocket. He replied, “When the game gets tense I sometimes reach in my pocket and finger that cross. It reminds me that there’s something more important in life than basketball.”
If the UL scandal has you so depressed that your family is miserable around you, maybe you need to look to the cross and remember the words of that old hymn, “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness … all other ground is sinking sand.”
(6) God can bring beauty out of ashes in His time.
What seems like a terrible circumstance can actually turn around for good in the long run. Isaiah prayed, “Comfort those who mourn, and…bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” (Isaiah 61:2-3)
Instead of constantly bemoaning anticipated sanctions against the U.L. basketball program, we would do well to look for the positives that are already beginning to surface. Fans are forced to evaluate priorities. College administrators are assessing the role of college athletics. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes director reports a record number of basketball players at Bible Study. Christian leaders have an opportunity to testify to the real priorities of life.
Other positives will surface in time if this experience is approached humbly and honestly. The Scripture promises, “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31)
There are times when it’s all we can do to walk and not faint. But God promises if we trust in the Lord, the past can be forgiven, our strength will return and there will come a time when we will fly with the eagles again. That’s why someone insisted their favorite verse of Scripture is, “This too shall pass”.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if those involved in this scandal listened to the gospel, repented and received God’s forgiveness? The Bible promises, “Repent and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38) Wouldn’t it be great if all those involved in the sordid activity alleged in the book would “repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord”. (Acts 3:19)? That would be cause for rejoicing because the Bible promises, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow, though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool”. (Isaiah 1:18)
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