The Scandalous Nature of Sin

If you follow sports, then you are probably now aware of the expanding scandal at Ohio State University, which had now resulted in the resignation of their head football coach, Jim Tressel.

Let me begin by saying that the comments below are not pointed at Coach Tressel or at Ohio State University. I have no ill-will towards either. But recent revelations provide a backdrop for a more general issue that we all face: the tempting, deceitful nature of sin and the cost it can claim in our lives.

According to a recent article in Sports Illustrated,(http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/magazine/05/30/jim.tressel/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a2 ) the "memorabilia for services" scandal is much larger and has been going on for much longer than previously reported. This issue began with accusations of 6 players who had traded memorabilia for tattoos. In April, Coach Tressel stated that he had no knowledge of any of these actions by his players. Having had a reputation for being a man of integrity, wearing proudly his commitment as a Christian, Coach Tressel's statement of being unaware was taken at face value and only questioned by some. But as the scope of the allegations grew, it became obvious that this was much bigger than previously reported and, by looking at past situations that have occurred under Coach Tressel's leadership, reveal a pattern of this kind of behavior by players, followed by a statement of being "unaware" of these violations.

All of this being said, it struck me how sinister and deceptive sin can be. Sin, and the temptation to do things that lack integrity, occurs in dark, hidden places. Usually, as long as it goes unnoticed, we believe that we will "get away with it" in the long run. Sin presents itself as the easy answer; the way out of a difficult situation, or the way to get something we want or desire, resulting in a misleading comment or action, and the hidden nature of our sin can, for a time, hide the primary infraction. But sin creeps into our lives in small, seemingly insignificant ways, and in the darkness of it's hiding place, grows and infects like mold. And once it comes to light, the scandal it presents is both repulsive and fascinating to those who observe it.

The "shame" of situations like this are that a man who was seen as one of integrity (and a Christ-follower as well - and, no, I am not doubting Coach Tressel's faith) has again fallen prey to the lie that sin always tells us: "You are the exception. No one will know. It's just this once. You deserve this..." But God's Word tells us in Numbers 32:23, "Your sin will find you out." And when it does, what a scandal it can create, especially for people of faith.

I will pray for Coach Tressel, his family, the players and program at Ohio State, and for all those affected by this situation. And I will pray that, for those of us who are followers of Christ, we will again see the damage that sin can do and seek to live lives of greatest integrity.