Tag Archives: Lance Armstrong

Following the Pack

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end_a_armstrong_d1_600x400     In a recent interview, Lance Armstrong has reiterated that he would cheat again if he had a chance to do it all over.  Lance Armstrong was revered as one of the greatest cyclists ever.  He won seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005.  However, all the while Lance was winning those titles; he was also guilty of taking performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).

     Once it became known that Armstrong had been doping, his titles were stripped from him.  After years of denials that he was taking PEDs, he finally came clean in 2013 and admitted to the doping during his illustrious career.  He states in his recent interview that he would do it again to be competitive, because everyone was doing it.  His only regret is that he was put in a place where he had to make the decision to take PEDs, not that he actually gave in and doped to improve his performance.

     So, Lance would make the decision to run with the pack again.  Do you ever remember your mother asking you if you were going to jump off of the bridge just because everyone else was doing it?  Is that a legitimate excuse?  Lance Armstrong’s philosophy reeks of situational ethics.

     What do the words of Scripture have to say about situational ethics?  Is there ever a right time to do a wrong thing?  Paul writes, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:7-9 NKJV).  Armstrong has allowed bad company to influence him to also do that which is wrong (1 Corinthians 15:33).  He has given in to running with the pack, rather than standing for what is right and good (competing according to the rules).  In his constant lying about his drug use, he has not let his yes be yes and his no, no (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12).

     Furthermore, James says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).  Lance knew what he was doing was wrong.  He circumvented the rules to gain an advantage.  Many might say they understand.  Who wants to work in a bicycle shop in Plano, Texas when they can be on top of the world?  The problem is that if we do that which is wrong, and say that we would do the same thing again, we show no repentance for our sins.  It does not matter if everyone else is doing it.  Jesus said there was a broad and easy road, that many were traveling, and that this road leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

     God wants us to follow Him, not the pack.  He wants for all men to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).  There is never a right time to do a wrong thing.  Ethics are not situational.  Truth is absolute.  Cheating and lying are always wrong.  Will we be like Lance, and do whatever it takes to achieve fame and fortune in this life, only to lose our own souls (Matthew 16:26)?  Or will we be like Jesus and keep our focus on doing right so we can join Him for eternity, even if we have to struggle in a bicycle shop in the meantime?  Who will you follow?

Is It Now Acceptable To Lie?

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Over the past week we have had confirmation of two different athletes at two very different stages of their careers giving false information in a repeated fashion.  Lance Armstrong, who is at the end of his cycling career, admitted to using performance enhancing drugs.  This is something which he previously had adamantly denied.  Manti Te’o, who stands at the beginning of his pro football career, admitted to lying about meeting a girlfriend who never existed.  It leads us to ask the question, is lying now acceptable in our society?

            An even more important question would be is it acceptable before God for us to lie in order to gain an advantage or to ‘cover our tracks?’  When we look into the pages of scripture we can quickly find the answer to this question.  Consider Proverbs 6:16-19, which tells us that there are seven behaviors that are an abomination to the Lord.  Twice in that list of seven we find that lying is mentioned (vv. 17, 19).  To put it simply, God hates lying.  We can also see in Revelation 21:8 these words recorded, “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (NKJV).  Notice here that liars are listed with a very unsavory crowd of people who you will not meet in heaven. 

            The clear conclusion is that lying is not acceptable with God, no matter what our society, politicians, or athletes may say.  God’s standards are higher than man’s.  God calls us to be honest, to deal with others fairly, to be accountable to a higher authority, and to treat others as we would want to be treated.  Thus those who would follow after God will not view lying as an acceptable practice, no matter the reason for it.