Inspirational Bible Verses For Sports Teams And Athletes
Let These Encouraging Bible Verses Make a Difference For You On and Off the Field of Your Next Athletic Event.
I have competed in sports over the years and learned that top-level athletes require just as much mental strict training as they do for their bodily training.
If you can’t win the battle in your head, you won’t win on the court.
Christian athletes that are interested in taking their game to the next level and asking for the strength of Samson to “win the race” or as the Apostle Paul “press on to the finish line” will grow mentally and spiritually by meditating and memorizing some of the Bible verses and scripture quotations I’ve listed below.
As God’s word in the Holy Bible says, we are an instrument and a vessel, and I find it helpful to visualize the Spirit working through us as an energy and life force that can amplify our energy and lead us to a great victory regardless of our athletic goals.
In the list, I’ve tried to shorten the concepts a bit so that you can insert the words into the context that works for your situation. If you happen to be a bit of a puritan at heart, I hope you won’t be too hard on me for taking some of these lines a bit out of context. I’ve tried to set up the following verses in a way that can be used as a source of motivation for you at the proper time.
I also grabbed different versions. Some are from the New King James, while other verses are from the New International Version (NIV). I hope it doesn’t throw you off.
At your next competition or athletic event, invite the Spirit of the Lord to come upon you like Samson when he was attacked by a lion:
Judges 14:5,6
…the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he tore the lion apart…although he had nothing in his hand.
2 Corinthians 2:6
We are “hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed”
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield
1 Timothy 4:8
…exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things.
Isaiah 40:31
But Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 35:3
Strengthen the weak hands (feeble arms) and make firm the weak knees.
Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses… Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus.
Psalm 37:23-24
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. 24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.
Matthew 19:26
… “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Psalm 18:29
He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might, He increases strength.
Acts 20:24
However, I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord
Isaiah 2:22
Stop regarding man in whose nostrils is breath, For of what account is he?
2 Timothy 2:5
If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.
Psalm 91:11-12
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 They shall bear you up in their hands, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Mark 11:24
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.
1 Corinthians 9:25
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Philippians 3:14
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.
Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, But he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Psalm 138:3
On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Job 22:29
You will make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you, And you shall fulfill your vows.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord…
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Matthew 23:12
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
James 1:12-13
Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised
Galatians 6:3
For if a man is taking care of seed for the sowing, he will labor according to the effective working of his hands.
Luke 13:24
He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Mark 9:23
Christ Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Proverbs 16:9
The heart of man plans his way, But the Lord establishes his steps.
Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Psalm 11:5
In the Lord put I my trust, How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain”?
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord, your God, is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
Psalm 26:1 -12
Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted also in the Lord Without wavering. Prove me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. I have not sat with the worthless, nor will I go with the deceitful.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Psalm 46:1-11
God is our refuge and strength, An ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the Lord, And your plans will be established.
Hebrews 10:35
Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
Psalm 27:1-6
The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
James 1:4-6
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Psalm 37:4
Take delight in the Lord, And He will give you your heart’s desires.
Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
Romans 5:3-4
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Revelation 14:12
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.
Ephesians 3:16 -19
that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man so
John 5:44
How can you believe since you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
2 Timothy 1:7
“…for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
1 John 5:4
“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world…”
Zechariah 4:6
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Deuteronomy 33:27-28
“…the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”
Ephesians 3:20
“Now unto him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
I believe the Christian athlete is capable of great things in part because they have been trained to fight the good fight of the faith in pursuit of the eternal prize.
A man of God or Woman of God may find some refuge in knowing that God wants to give us the desires of our heart.
Athletes Motivation To Win Isn’t Only To Serve Their Own Interests But The Interests Of Others
Every successful athlete knows that it takes team work and they can’t do it on their own. While they put in the work, success isn’t possible without the contribution to and from others.
I’m not sure who said this originally, but I remember hearing it in a seminar from Dani Johnson:
Your Desire Reveals Your Design, And Your Design Reveals Your Destiny
So, if you are concerned that you are doing it all for your own glory or vain conceit, you can rest a little easier knowing that if you have a strong desire, you were created that way. Selfish ambition most likely isn’t what is motivating you here, and you can rest knowing that you are in pursuit of things God put in your heart.
“Lean not on your own understanding.” Athletes who follow their hearts on this become obedient children to their maker.
Christian athletes who follow straight paths are extraordinary to watch. Give yourself the greatest potential by not getting tripped up by evil desires. Set a good example. A lot of verses mentioned are designed to give you a good finish and see your vision to the end.
There are many motivational bible verses and motivational quotes like these that athletes can draw inspiration from. They are powerful and really great for helping people achieve what they want to achieve. It’s a good idea to have a bible verse that you really like saved on your phone or computer so that the motivation is right there with you at all times.
It’s good to have a bible verse that reminds you of staying on course of your physical training. But I encourage you to find some that also help you consider that a great athlete exercises self-control and sets an example to their fellow athlete.
In all of your hard work towards developing the skills and talents, remember you are in the presence of many witnesses. Make sure you exude a good confession and, with humility, value others.
Jeremiah 9:23 is a great verse. It says, Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches.
Good athletes need to train themselves to desire self-control.
It’s important to believe in yourself and that you can “do all things.” Otherwise, you will be at a disadvantage from the onset.
One of the things that our heavenly Father reminds us of is to see our bodies as a temple of the Holy Spirit. He also warns us to guard against the unwholesome word.
To me, the unwholesome words that you might wrestle with aren’t necessarily telling dirty jokes (while that may be included), but I see it mainly as negative thoughts.
Stay away from negative thoughts that bring you down and discourage your pursuit. Put on the whole armor of God
and get out there and do your best!
Thanks for spending time with me here.
Some other articles I think you might enjoy are:
Recovering from Sport’s Injury. Here are some mind hacks to get you back in the game fast.
What does Grit Mean and How to Increase Your Grit. In this article, I’ve pulled together a bunch of research about what causes people to have grit and how transformative it can be for your game.
Dealing with Feeling Like an Impostor. In this article, I go over what to do when you feel inadequate.
