Grab A Tiger By The Tail

The little kids rhyme says this, "Eenie, meenie, minee, mo...my momma told me to pick the very best one, and you are NOT it."

When it comes to Tiger Woods it depends on what you are talking about. I used to be a fan of Tiger, and now I am just fascinated by him.

As Tiger made his return to golf and the mother of all golf tournaments -- The Masters, I have been paying attention. What is undeniable already is the dude can play some golf. He is an incredibly talented golfer! The best ever!

As I watched the coverage yesterday of his first tee shot I listened to the crowd roar with applause and cheer at the sound of his name. And I wondered why? What are they cheering for? Tiger has now become the most notorious serial adulterer of our generation.

I was hoping he would shank his shot and miss the cut. Someone who would so trash his marriage, wife and kids, I have a hard time rooting for.

I have heard a lot of people and commentators say that we should just move on. That his infidelity is his private life. The American people are forgiving. He has done rehab and is trying to keep his family together, and get his life back in line.

So, why don't I feel that way? My pastor from college has always stated something that I think is true. Before restoration can occur in some one's life, their repentance needs to be as notorious as their sin that led to the downfall. I think that is true.

Sure, Tiger has started down the right road. But, he has not had nearly enough time for his repentance to equal the enormity of his scandalous sin. (Besides, it's not repentance if you don't turn to Christ.) Tiger missed about 4 months of golf. It was during the off season, which he doesn't play much anyway. He probably only missed 3-4 tournaments that he would have normally played. That's not enough.

Plenty of people disagree with me, that's fine. But I still hold this principal as true: repentance needs to be as notorious as the sin. He may win the tournament, but he is still a loser.

Tiger's Sex Rehab - Really?

Tiger Woods has been in a sex rehab facility for his addiction to sex for 45 days and is scheduled to go back for more.

In his confession and apology today Tiger talked about his reasoning for his behavior. He said that he felt entitled to it. It seems that his fame, money, and power presented him with easy opportunities to commit adultery.

What is sex rehab? I am sure that some people might have a legitimate addiction, maybe. But, not Tiger Woods. I am not buying it. His reasoning has nothing to do with an addiction. Entitlement and fame are not indicative of an addiction.

What do they do in Tiger's sex rehab? Tell him its wrong. Do they have classes on keeping your pants on? Did he learn ten steps how not to contact a high end prostitute? Did they try and find something that happened in his past that caused him to cheat on his wife and kids? Did they discuss how to avoid hotel rooms with voluptuous women?

Think about the logistics that were required for Tiger to hook up with all these women. It took some serious forethought and planning for him to get in a place where he could have sex with these women. It wasn't that spontaneous. It was calculated and planned. That is not addiction, it is stupidity.

Tiger doesn't need sex rehab, he needs sin rehab. He may be able to alter his behavior, but he cannot change his sinful heart. Strength of will is not going to overcome his sin. A 12 step program will not overcome his sinful nature. Buddhism will not solve his sin problem.

There is only one rehab that will cure Tiger Woods of his addiction to sin. The solution is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Tiger's Post Modern Trouble

Why did Tiger feel compelled to make a confession and apology?

Our culture is one of post modernity. Post modern thought is hard to define, but it seems to be dominated by relativism. Everything is relative. Nothing is certain. There is no truth. There is no objective morality. What is right for you, is right for you, and need not be right for everyone else.

One of the areas of society that has been attacked by post modern thought has been the institution of marriage. All kinds of groups have brought attacks upon the traditional idea of marriage. These attacks are not just about gay marriage. Open marriage, delayed marriage, and even serial promiscuity seem to be no problem anymore. If it feels good, do it. If it is good for you, then it can't be wrong.

So, why did Tiger withdraw from golf, go to rehab, and make an apology? Seriously, did he do anything wrong? Infidelity is not illegal. Yes, he may have broke some minor law by paying for prostitutes, but many think that prostitution should be legal anyway. So he is a serial adulterer, that is not so wrong is it?

Apparently there is something very wrong with what Tiger did. He knew it. If he didn't think it was wrong in his conscience he wouldn't have tried to hide it for so long. I have heard some people say that Tiger's infidelity is not a big deal because there are many other guys on the PGA tour who do the same thing. But, they all keep it secret. They all try to hide it just like Tiger tried. Because they know intuitively that it is wrong. Their shame in hiding their behavior is evidence that somewhere inside they know what they are doing is wrong.

There are exceptions, there always is. Some people are so depraved that they openly engage in all kinds of promiscuity and infidelity with no remorse. But, the norm is that a promiscuous life is not a virtue. Adultery is not viewed as a positive character trait.

The post modern person can try as hard as they want to live a carefree life of relativity. But, for most, it is a losing battle against their God given conscience. Furthermore, it just doesn't work, and they know it.

Romans 2:14-16
For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

Tiger Trouble

I have been a long time fan of Tiger Woods. He is an amazing competitor and arguably the best golfer ever.

He is also an adulterer. What started out as tabloid fodder has turned into a fact corroborated by Tiger's admission of "transgressions" today. Tabloids are just that, and not the banner for journalistic integrity, but Tiger's confession confirms the truth of his adultery.

Here are some stats about Tiger.

Forbes lists Tiger as the first Billion dollar athlete.
Last year he won over 10.5 million dollars on the PGA Tour alone.
He has won 71 PGA events and 14 Majors.
He is 33 years old.
He has been married for 5 years.
He has two children.
He is an adulterer.

"“You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14, ESV)

"He who commits adultery lacks sense; he who does it destroys himself." (Proverbs 6:32, ESV)

" “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:27-28, ESV)

Tiger is not, as has never been, the paragon of virtue and morality. Why should he be? He has everything!

I know what Tiger needs. He doesn't need me to cast stones. Measured by God's standards I am a sinner too. So is everyone else. What I needed, is the same thing Tiger needs. A Savior.

What Tiger needs is to repent and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus is more valuable than billions of dollars and you can't win Him in a golf tournament. By repenting and trusting in Him as Lord, your sins can be forgiven and your soul spared. That is priceless!

I pray for Tiger's salvation.