The Christian life is sometimes referred to as a sporting event (2 Corinthians 9:24-27). The rulebook for Major League Baseball has some general instructions for umpires that I couldn’t help but draw some spiritual applications from. The following are a few with some verses that we can all learn from to help us in our Christian walk:

1. On the field, do not engage in conversation with coaches or players.

 – “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not     be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you     may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1,2

 – “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the  eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is  passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John   2:15-17

2. Keep your uniform in good condition

 – “Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21

– “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of  God.” 1 Peter 3:3,4

– “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing,” 1 Timothy 2:8,9

3. Be courteous. Always.

–  Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers,  be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on  the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a  blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8,9

5. Keep the game moving. Games are helped by energetic and earnest work

– “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” James   1:25

– “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed,  rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

6. Keep your eye everlastingly on the ball

 – “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let  us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with  patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,  and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1,2