Articles
Hollow Victory
While I am not a cyclist and have no interest in the sport, the case of Lance Armstrong gives opportunity for moral and spiritual reflection. Several lessons are observable.
Winning at all costs ultimately results in losing. I am not qualified to psychoanalyze Mr. Armstrong; I don’t know his deeper motivations to succeed in his sport via drugs and other illegal practices. If it was for the prestige of seven Tours de France, what does that mean now that those victories have been nullified? All the training, sacrifices, time, publicity, money – it all has no meaning whatsoever now that he has been exposed. Truly, “the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands” (Ps. 9:16).
The approval and adoration of the whole world is meaningless. All the trophies, magazine articles, cheering fans, White House visits and every other accolade showered upon Armstrong occurred while he was cheating. The public didn’t know it, but Lance knew it, his teammates knew it, his close friends knew it – and God knew it. Adulation did not make right the wrong that was being done.
“For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26). What hollow reward is the praise of men who don’t know the whole story of who or what they celebrate. And praise quickly turns to scorn when the masses learn they have been duped.
The conspiracy of silence eventually will collapse. Lance Armstrong was able to pull off this grand deception only with the help of many conspirators – suppliers, doctors, teammates, friends and others who, for whatever reason, couldn’t bring themselves to challenge a legend. But such complicity in evil brings a burden that in the long run will compromise the integrity of the scheme. Former allies will get their feelings hurt, suffer with their own burdened consciences or be targets of investigation.
In other words, the web of lies that seems so secure when in the throes of victory celebration can crumble in a heartbeat. “Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished” (Prov. 11:21).
In spite of all the accusations and evidence amassed against Lance Armstrong, he maintains his façade of denial and “how dare anybody question me” arrogance. And as long as he does this, there will be no healing, no resolution – only continued self-deceit in the face of incredible loss of integrity and respect. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:8-9).
In contrast to Armstrong’s house of cards, God tells us in Proverbs how to build a foundation that stands strong:
- “The wicked man does deceptive work, but to him who sows righteousness will be a sure reward” (11:18).
- “The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come through trouble” (12:13).
- “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity” (24:16).
Acting upon the principles of righteousness may not win many adoring fans, but it will draw to us people of integrity who will be true friends and support us in godly endeavors. Working hard, telling the truth, competing fairly, losing graciously, winning with humility, doing one’s best without unfair advantage – these things ensure victory of character even while accepting loss in competition.
But what is it worth to cross the finish line first when one’s performance is supported by the illegal and unethical? Another trophy, another news article, another endorsement does not offset the truth that success has come by selling one’s integrity.
But the big justification of such shenanigans is, “It’s OK; everyone does it.” The illegal becomes the norm; enforcement is weak; perhaps even governing bodies look the other way to protect the popularity of their sport. But when it all comes out in the open, cheaters suffer the very thing they cheated to prevent – defeat. So many lessons, so much lost, so much self-delusion.
