Gospel

---

Holy Yellow Flags Covering the Earth
By Dan Blankenship
© 2007 Dan Blankenship



Football fans have seen a lot of yellow flags thrown down on many football fields. Each and every time, the thrown flag is to let one of the teams know they have violated a rule of play. Offsides, illegal motion, personal foul, or roughing the kicker are some of the reasons that a yellow flag might be pulled from the belt of an official referee and tossed onto the playing field.

I’ve often wondered how cluttered the surface of our planet would be if every time one of God’s commandments or life rules was broken, a yellow flag was tossed from the sky and onto our enormous playing field – the earth. Would there be a bare spot to walk on?

Imagine if every time a man coveted his neighbor’s house, a yellow flag, similar to the one thrown by NFL officials, landed between the two homes. Visualize the possibility that every time a rebellious teenager was openly defiant to her parents, a weighted, yellow flag appeared upon her bedroom floor. And what about the Seven Deadly Sins; can you even imagine how many yellow flags would rain down from the Heavens due to these infractions against the will of our Creator?

Gluttony is the over-consumption of food or drink and number six on the list of seven deadly sins. Have you ever seen someone eat or drink more than they needed to survive? I know I have. Maybe that’s not actually a yellow napkin next to our plates when we go out to eat.

Let’s take a look at “anger”, number three on the list. Unrestrained anger is the not only a foul against God’s rules, it is usually the reason behind more illegal maneuvers that would require more holy yellow flags to litter the planet. If we do not learn how to control our anger, we will resort to fistfights, destruction of personal property, or rumor-mongering to enact our revenge upon those who we feel have betrayed us.

So, the next time a football game is taking place in front of you, try and visualize those yellow flags the referees throw being tossed whenever you are guilty of an infraction against God’s rulebook. Is it possible to stay within the rules God has clearly documented in the Holy Bible? I believe it is, if we do not rely on our own abilities and willpowers but on the capabilities and omnipotent strength of the Holy Spirit which is available to us when we accept Jesus’ invitation to become a part of that Heavenly team.

Just like the WWJD bracelets and T-shirts craze that took hold a few years back, maybe penalty flags will one day become a tool to remind Christians when we are out of sync with God’s game plan for our lives. But such a tool must not be used in a negative way. Just as a football team makes adjustments to keep their players onside and keep them from committing illegal motions, people of faith must correct their brothers and sisters in a loving manner, showing genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of others instead of trying to earn extra-credit points with God.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE