God's Coaching #12

God's Coaching #12

“I guarantee it.” People often guarantee that a candy bar will taste fresh or that a television will work a long time without breaking. But guaranteeing a victory in a game where you’re a big underdog . . . nobody would be foolish enough to do that. Yet that’s exactly what New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath did before Super Bowl III.

When the Super Bowl first started, the more experienced National Football League teams dominated the first two games against the new American Football League champions. (The leagues combined in 1970 as the NFL with two conferences—the NFC and the AFC.) But on January 12, 1969, the NFL’s Baltimore Colts were heavily favored against the AFL’s Jets. Before the game, the Colts were called “the greatest football team in history,” while people joked that the Super Bowl would be the Jets’ first professional football game. Joe got tired of the teasing. Three days before the game, a heckler yelled at Joe that the Jets didn’t have a chance. Joe stopped and answered, “We’re gonna win the game. I guarantee it.”

What’s the Score?

The Jets shocked the sporting world by defeating the Colts 16–7 in Super Bowl III. Joe completed 17 of 28 passes for 206 yards and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Although Joe backed up his boast, making promises you can’t keep is dangerous. Had the Jets lost, Joe would’ve looked silly and been ridiculed for years. The Bible warns against making guarantees that you can’t control. James 5:12 says, “Never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.” God wants you to always speak the truth. If you say yes, you need to come through. When you continually do what you say, you’ll gain the trust and respect of the people around you.

On the Ball

Words are powerful. As Christians, we need to watch what we say. Making a promise we can’t keep or boasting about something that doesn’t happen is the same as lying. Can you remember making a promise to someone that you didn’t fulfill? If so, find that person, apologize, and fulfill your word.

Coach’s Comment

Most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned. James 5:12