A man of understanding in a fitness center will tell those he meets there that the only person that they are in competition with, is who they were the last time they were in that place.
“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” (Romans 11:20-21)
Competition can only arrive when there is someone to compare ourselves with, usually others, but many times only ourself, and if that is in a Spiritual sense, in who we were yesterday, last week, or last year, it can be a good thing.
If you can look back on your life and examine the proofs of repentance, solely for the glory of God and by His power, along with the exertion of your free will in doing so, then you have and are growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. You have been born again.
Competition though can be not only detrimental, it can cause sin to enter into our lives, it can do the opposite of Philippians 2:3.
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Whether intentional or not, when the Sons of Thunder asked their mother, a whole other letter in itself, to request of the Lord Jesus Christ positions of authority at His side, it caused a form of competition in the others present that was not profitable. And a lesson needed to be taught to all of them.
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matt. 23:11)
Competition with others causes, or can cause, two distinctly different effects, either pride will find a way into your heart, or despondency, for second place my friends is just the first loser. In competition there is either better than or not as good as, there is no same as, yet exalting others always as better than ourselves is not only against our nature, it is impossible to do unless we compare ourselves to others.
Is the following statement true? Are those who are hid in Christ better than the wicked who will remain in, and die in their sins? We are indeed loved and will be loved forever, whilst the name of the wicked will rot. Does that make us better than them?
A caution for you then as you contemplate that question.
“As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.” (1st Peter 2:16)
The only competition that can have a profitable outcome is that which you have with yourself in relation to your walk with the Lord, any competition with others entails the possibility of the truth of Provers 16:18 entering into your life.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
We are servants of the Most High God, we reveal our service to Him by our actions towards Him and towards those in this world, saved, lost, even the wicked. Yes, in words that no human language can express properly, we are better than the wicked, because we are loved and His wrath abides on them, but you must never, not once, reveal that truth to them, at least not until you are positive that they are one of those you are not even to allow into your house.
Always exalt others higher than yourself.
This is not subservience, it is being a servant to the only Master we have, and only a fool would place themselves in competition with the Living God.
Look at your life, can you tell the difference between those times that you were comparing yourself to others, and those instances where all that mattered was who you once were, and who you are today? The subtle trap of Satan, and indeed what has been ingrained in us, is to be continuously in competition with someone, with something. Realize this truth, and you will begin to see the life of the only true suffering servant who ever lived.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
