Halftime

Every year, it seems like the same conversation resurfaces.

“Did you watch it?”

“I can’t believe you watched that.”

“Real Christians wouldn’t…”

Suddenly, a halftime show—something that lasts a few minutes and disappears into the noise of the internet—becomes a spiritual measuring stick. Lines are drawn. Motives are assumed. And brothers and sisters in Christ find themselves divided over something that carries no weight in the Kingdom of God.

Scripture reminds us just how small these arguments really are.

“The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

Paul was addressing disputes over personal convictions—things some believers felt strongly about and others didn’t. His conclusion? Don’t turn preferences into tests of holiness.

Watching or not watching a halftime show does not make someone more faithful.

Avoiding it doesn’t earn extra righteousness.

Engaging with culture doesn’t automatically mean compromise.

“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10)

When we elevate opinions to the level of doctrine, we drift into something Jesus consistently rebuked—legalism dressed up as holiness.

“They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders…” (Matthew 23:4)

The danger isn’t the halftime show.

The danger is when the church becomes known more for what it argues about than who it worships.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Unity does not require uniformity.

Conviction does not require condemnation.

And maturity shows up when we can say, “This isn’t my choice—but it also isn’t my battlefield.”

Let’s be careful not to treat temporary distractions as eternal matters.

Let’s guard against turning preferences into platforms and opinions into accusations.

Because when the world watches the church, it shouldn’t see us fighting over halftime—it should see us living lives fighting for the kingdom of God.

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19)

Grace over judgment.

Truth with humility.

Kingdom first