God stuff: How can Christians be involved in MMA such a violent sport?

God stuff: How can Christians be involved in MMA such a violent sport?

Recently many people outside of our school, and most times who have not trained have asked me, “How is it that you a pastor, a man of God, trains mix martial arts?”   Just this weekend someone asked how Christians can involve themselves in such a violent sport.

Well in my view violence is generated through ignorance.  The people I have enjoyed training with over the years, and the school I have enjoyed training at have not exposed me, or my children, who also train, to violence. 

That being said, I do believe there are schools that may be training people to be violent because of their ignorance in the arts and lack of fighting discipline.  Fighting is a mental, spiritual, and physical endeavor that only those who are aware of the reality of the three will actually become true fighters.

THE APOSTLE PAUL DOWN WITH MMA? GRAPPLING?
It is widely believed that the Apostle Paul was a big fan of the Panhellenic games.  Some also believe that the Panhellenic sports of boxing and wrestling and their techniques of punches, kicks, knees, elbows, and submission joint locks and chokeholds gave way to the Greek combat form of Pankration the foundation of many of our modern day combat sports. 

Paul speaks of wrestling:
Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  

Of all of the words Paul could use he states “we wrestle” to describe our spiritual fight in this world.  As a Christian and a pastor I really feel the difference in meaning.  To say that we are wrestling impacts me so much more than saying we are fighting. 

Not having wrestling experience but training BJJ for about 20 months now and serving God for over 10 years this tells me so much about engaging in spiritual growth.  The push, the pull, the attempt, the counter, the reversal, the sweep, the crush, the choke, burning out your muscles, the taste of your own blood, the aches, the pain, the stamina.  Paul hit the nail right on the head when he said we are in a wrestling match.  Being a people of God takes, patience, longsuffering and a warriors heart.

I remember getting in fights when I was a kid.  They were quick, fast then they were pretty much over.  After you fought a guy usually they didn’t come around anymore.  The challenges of life are not the same way.  They seem to keep coming around over and over again.  Just like that new white belt who you tapped 20 times but still seeks you out to roll every class. 

The key is through Jesus Christ we can overcome this world and be truly blessed here and now and for all eternity.

The great reward!
 Corinth was in close proximity to the where the Panhellenic games took place.  The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians:
9:24  You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win!
25  Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.
26  I don't run without a goal. And I don't box by beating my fists in the air.
27  I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others.

Paul is saying, I aint no punk.  I am going to make it through the trials of life.  My goal is the real prize. Eternal life through Jesus Christ.  He speaks of the crown that does not last, the perishable crown.  Winners in the Panhellenic games would receive a laurel wreath or an olive wreath in the shape of a crown.  Paul is telling us there is so much more to life.

What is your DNA?
The Bible tells me in Genesis that we were created in the image and likeness of God.  So where do we get this warrior spirit?

Exodus 15:2-3 The Lord is my strength and my song, because he has saved me.  I praise and honor the Lord, He is my God and the God of my ancestors.  The Lord is His name and he is a warrior!
Psalms 24:7-9
Open the ancient gates, so that the glorious king may come in.
Who is this glorious king? He is our LORD, a strong and mighty warrior.
Open the ancient gates, so that the glorious king may come in.

You get your warrior spirit from your Father!

God bless!
rq

Vandry BJJ Academy:
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) & Muay Thai Boxing, Austin, Texas.