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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: My friend’s an expert competitor in sports, but he thinks his success will carry him through life. I feel desperate to get through to him that the most important thing in life is to know Jesus Christ and put Him at the center of life. As long as he wins, he rides high, but one of these days he’ll realize that life is not just a big game to win or lose. – G.C.

A: The Olympic Games are one of our culture’s most intense and exciting spectacles. Athletes train for years, disciplining their minds and bodies to attain greater and greater goals, but they often fall short of their target. One of the finest figure skaters was particularly afraid that a fall would ruin her performance. She said, “Think how much time I’ve put into this and how much time others have given to help me. With one mistake, it could all go down the drain.”

Throughout Scripture we find people playing with sin, trying to beat the game of sin. At times it seems that many are getting away with it. From all outward appearances, it seems that people who play with sin do prosper. Our culture loves to win and be successful. But the Lord knows the intent of the heart.

Playing with sin often leads to calamity. Leaving God out of life is sin, and tragedy can strike. A multitude of things take place, because God says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper” (Proverbs 18:13, NKJV). That is a law of God that cannot be evaded; it is a common thread woven through Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, and it is played out universally. “To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom” (Proverbs 10:23, NKJV).

Society has become obsessed with leisure and we shouldn’t think for a moment that Satan is overlooking this pastime.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.