During the live 2026 FIFA World Cup match between Argentina and Algeria on June 16, 2026, Fox Sports promoted to a worldwide audience the worship of Lionel Messi. The broadcaster did more than simply praise Messi’s athletic abilities on the field; he crossed a line by speaking in a way that justifies the worship of a man—a devotion that belongs to God alone. Whenever media organizations portray human beings as objects of reverence and devotion, they venture into the realm of idolatry.
Fox Sports: “Messi is Worshipped by His Fan Base and Rightfully So” #sda #adventist #adventista pic.twitter.com/jWFQBTp0hj
— Advent Messenger (@Advent1844) June 17, 2026
The first commandment plainly declares: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3. Jesus also said: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:10. The Bible consistently teaches that worship belongs exclusively to God. Elevating celebrities or public figures to a status that belongs only to Him is a violation of His commandments. Throughout history, the world has demonstrated a tendency to exalt and even deify human beings.
After God performed a miracle through the apostles Paul and Barnabas, the crowds responded by crying out: “The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.” Acts 14:11. The apostles immediately rejected such treatment.
Likewise, when Herod Agrippa accepted divine honors, the people proclaimed: “It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” Acts 12:22. God judged him because he accepted glory that did not belong to him. The Bible is clear: whenever people exalt human beings, they move into dangerous spiritual territory.
The modern sports culture often takes on the same spirit of religious devotion. Crowds chant the names of their favorite athletes, wear sports apparel featuring their heroes, and travel great distances at considerable expense to see them compete.
Idolatry is not limited to bowing before idols of wood and stone, although many fans do literally bow before their sports gods. It includes placing anything in a position of affection, devotion, admiration, or reverence that rightfully belongs to God alone. Throughout history, our world has been known to elevate created beings above the Creator.
Before the Flood, society indulged in self-gratification. Jesus said that people were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” until the day Noah entered the ark (Matthew 24:38). Ellen G. White further describes the antediluvian world as being consumed with “sports,” while neglecting the warnings of God and the reality of the coming judgement.
“For seven days after Noah and his family entered the ark, there appeared no sign of the coming storm … The apparent delay confirmed them in the belief that Noah’s message was a delusion, and that the Flood would never come … They still continued their sport and revelry, even making a jest of these signal manifestations of God’s power” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 98).
Their sports and athletic heroes became a snare that helped draw their minds away from God. They were so engrossed in amusement, recreation, and worldly pleasures that they had little interest in preparing for eternity. The pursuit of entertainment occupied their thoughts to such a degree that they did not want to be troubled by warnings of coming judgment. As a result, they continued in their pursuits until the Flood came and swept them all away.
“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:38-39.
Entertainment, wealth, the constant stimulation of godless media, and the pleasures of sin can drown out the voice of conviction. These modern idols captivate the mind and numb spiritual perception. When the heart becomes preoccupied with worldly pursuits, it becomes increasingly difficult to hear God’s call to repentance, faith, and obedience.
As we near the close of Earth’s history, the call of Scripture is to turn away from every false object of devotion and worship the Creator alone. God is seeking a people whose hearts are fully surrendered to Him, who love Him above all else, and who refuse to grant to any person, institution, or earthly pursuit the honor and devotion that belong to Him alone.
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We do not talk half enough about the infinite sacrifice of Christ. He who has given Himself for us is saying, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Matthew 16:24.] He does not say, “Let him indulge himself in worldly pleasures, let him go to the theater and to horse races, let him engage in the worldly games and pleasures.” Those who make a covenant with Him must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. 16LtMs, Ms 102, 1901, par. 35
The games that occupy so much of his time are diverting the mind from study. They are not helping to prepare the youth for practical, earnest work in life. Their influence does not tend toward refinement, generosity, or real manliness. Ed 210.2
Some of the most popular amusements, such as football and boxing, have become schools of brutality. They are developing the same characteristics as did the games of ancient Rome. The love of domination, the pride in mere brute force, the reckless disregard of life, are exerting upon the youth a power to demoralize that is appalling. Ed 210.3
Other athletic games, though not so brutalizing, are scarcely less objectionable because of the excess to which they are carried. They stimulate the love of pleasure and excitement, thus fostering a distaste for useful labor, a disposition to shun practical duties and responsibilities. They tend to destroy a relish for life’s sober realities and its tranquil enjoyments. Thus the door is opened to dissipation and lawlessness, with their terrible results. Ed 210.4
Plays, amusements, and horse-races occupy the mind. Rewards are offered to those who excel in these sports, thus keeping the mind in a constant strain of excitement, such as was before the flood, before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, and of Nineveh. 12LtMs, Lt 19a, 1897, par. 18
Once in Sydney I saw a great multitude on one of the streets. Hundreds and hundreds, and I might say thousands, were gathered together. “What is the matter?” I asked. “It is because of the cricket match,” was the answer. And while men were playing the game of cricket, and others were watching the game, Satan was playing the game of life for their souls. 14LtMs, Ms 99, 1899, par. 20
Amusements for self gratification, horse races, cricket and baseball matches, theater entertainments and gambling, are all in full force, testifying that we are living in the time when the end of all things is at hand. Of the people in Noah’s day the statement is made that they “knew not until the flood came and took them all away.” [Matthew 24:39.] And “as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when the Son of man is revealed.” [Luke 17:26, 30.] 13LtMs, Lt 109, 1898, par. 2