What does it take to win the game? Under ever-increasing pressure to win, many coaches and players have been encouraged to bend or break the rules. In the sports world, why is it so difficult to discern what constitutes cheating?

In the 1999 Women’s Soccer World Cup, U.S.A. goalkeeper Brianna Scurry stepped off her goal line to make the game-winning save on a penalty kick. While the rules allow a goalkeeper to move sideways along the line, he or she is not allowed to step forward until the ball is kicked. In the championship match that day, the referee did not rule against the save. It is still a point of contention whether the right choices were made.

Making the right choice and acting with integrity becomes even more challenging when it appears that our competitors are not doing the same. How can our players be expected to compete against a team that practices extra days or uses ineligible players or illegal equipment?

As believers in Christ, God calls us to a higher standard, which He proved by sending Jesus to Earth so that we might come to Him. He desires that we act with integrity in every aspect of our life, but He did not leave us on our own to fulfill that call to live by His standards. He provided a way through a personal relationship in Christ.