Competition can be a big thing for young people (and probably for older ones as well). To be “the best”. To have the funniest jokes, to score the most goals, to have the best education, etc. They want to be the best in whatever it is that they are doing. What is the right way to take this as a Christian who wants to live wholeheartedly for God?
What are you competing for?
It’s not a bad thing to have some competition. It’s good to set some goals for yourself, to do your very best, or have some friendly competitions to challenge yourself.
But test yourself. Why are you doing it? Because of pride, or jealousy, or greed, or selfishness? Because you care too much about what people think of you? Make sure that your actions are not ruled by sinful desires! When we are working hard to be the best, do we have to step on others in order to do so? As in everything else, we need to check if there is sin behind our actions, and if there is, we have to cleanse that out.
“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient…” Colossians 3:12 (CEV).
Why does everything have to be a competition?
Very often, the need to compete comes from feeling not good enough. We want to prove, at least to ourselves, that we are the best at something in order to feel like we are worth something. Another reason can be pride.
The truth is that there is only one thing that we have to prove in life, and that is that we love Christ with our whole heart. “But Christ has shown me that what I once thought was valuable is worthless. Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8 (CEV).
Can we learn to see all things – including our good name, how people see us, our ego – as worthless and garbage compared to the greatness of getting to know Christ? What could have more worth than that?
Don’t allow sin to pressure you. You don’t need to “be” anyone. It isn’t important what people think of you based on how good you are and what you have achieved. What is important is that we can stand before God’s face and know that we have no sin on our conscience. That we are pure and blameless. That will give us true worth in the kingdom of heaven.
“Whoever makes himself great will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be made great.” Matthew 23:12 (GNT).
What is the other option?
Here is a Biblical option that is really worth competing for:
“You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (CEV).
Do you see that crown that will last forever as something to be won at all costs? Do all things from your heart as to the Lord, in a way that does not allow pride, selfishness etc to live! Find where you are full of self-seeking and pride, and overcome that and rather seek the other’s best. Seek to be the best in the things that really matter. Seek to be “the best” in being humble of heart. Do all that you do so that God is glorified and sin is overcome.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we were to compete in having the most of the fruit of the Spirit? To be the most humble, the most selfless, etc.? What a world that would be, with everyone competing to be more like Christ!
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT).
How will you be able to live like that?
You will only get to such a life by asking God to show you where you are living for yourself, where there is sin behind what you do. When you read God’s Word He can show you the right way to do things, so that you can understand His will and live according to it. By being honest about your motives, admitting the truth about yourself, judging sin for what it really is, hating unrighteousness and overcoming it. By consciously practicing those verses in Philippians in your life.
What are the results?
Where your actions previously were influenced by pride and egoism, you can now serve and bless the others. Your treasure is in heaven instead of in the things of the earth; and your lack of confidence, and all those negative feelings, do not matter anymore when you compare it to what you are becoming, you are becoming a child of God, fully prepared for good works. (2 Timothy 3:17.)
Then people will experience the goodness of Christ from your life. You become a light in this world. You can do all that you do, free from pride and selfishness! Your personality becomes cleansed from sin and you can do everything in a good spirit, with good results that build fellowship and create blessed, pure bonds with others without self-interest coming in between you.
