"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." -2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

Sports agents play as an integral part in the lives of professional athletes. There are approximately 21,000 agents in the United States. Their duties include negotiating contracts, helping athletes manage their finances, and assisting with handling athletes’ legal and business matters. Some agents can earn a pretty great living depending on the amount of their clients’ playing and endorsement contracts. There are many phenomenal agents who truly have their clients’ best interest at heart. They provide sound advice and truly care for their clients personally. In addition, they are willing to use flawless negotiating tactics to ensure that their clients’ financial needs are met so that their families are taken care of for the rest of their lives.

Although there are many great agents, there are also a few agents who try to entice athletes into being their clients with lies and unfulfilled promises. In life, you will encounter many different individuals from many places, who have different cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, races, genders with different personalities. Therefore, we must look at others the way that God looks at them while showing love just like Christ did.

Because everyone is different, we must be led by the Holy Spirit and use discernment in understanding who and what is of God. Just like God uses many people to do His will in this world, there are also individuals who are led by Satan. Satan will try use people by attempting to entice them to do things that are not of God and not believe in Jesus Christ as a result. Always remember 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” This is the age of social media where we are exposed to many people with many opinions. Some of those opinions may not align with God’s word. There are many false prophets who disguise themselves as true leaders of the faith but are really “ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15) who speaks partial truths. It is so important for us to use discernment to understand who is speaking the truth based on the Bible and who is not. What does discernment mean? Discernment is not only knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. 

In order for us to properly understand the difference between right and almost right, we must study the word of God. We must do this not only so that we will know the truth but also so that we can be learn to more like Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:15 informs us to “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Once we study the word of God for ourselves, we are able to distinguish the difference between what is true and false. In addition, we must allow God to touch our hearts and open our eyes and ears to see and hear from God who is truth. Also, we must center ourselves around people who are believers that hear from God. God may be speaking to those individuals to help us to look at things differently than we would have otherwise. 

These are the last days and Jesus is coming back soon. If you are not saved, it is time to believe in Jesus Christ and totally surrender your life to God. If you are a believer, focus on God and growing in your relationship with Jesus daily. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus through prayer and studying God’s word, we will be able to use discernment. Sometimes, we may miss the mark but we must repent of our sins, learn from our mistakes, and try not to make those same mistakes again.

Don’t be ignorant to the enemy’s schemes and tactics. You can do that by staying “locked in” on God daily. How can we stay in “locked in?” By keeping the main thing, the main thing. God must take first place in our lives. Focus on growing in your relationship with God and telling others about good news of Jesus so that they can ultimately know and believe in Jesus Christ.

Discernment is knowing right from wrong. 

Matthew 7:15

Matthew 24:23-30

2 Corinthians 2:11

2 Timothy 2:15

Matthew 28:19-20

1 Corinthians 14:33

John 14:6

1 John 14:1

Luke 20:45-47