The Folly Of Winning
“Let us not become conceited [egotistical], competing against one another,
envying one another” (Gal 5:26).
Competitive sports, and competitiveness in general, can’t be defended,
Such run contrary to Scripture, reverse the Gospel, ensuring God’s offended.
We’re to die to self, put others first, not seek the limelight, but rather, humbly live,
Sacrificing for the good of others, even going without, seeking to give.
Thus, only an erring, uninformed Christian would seek to win at another’s loss,
For those who love their Lord and others, seek no reward, but daily take up their cross.
They don’t delight in what has been another’s loss, as what Christian that path would choose?
Plus, winning via ensuring another doesn’t, just sees Satan rightly accuse.
And with very good cause, for such is acting selfishly, hypocritically,
For the Gospel is all about servant-hood, not about rejoicing pridefully.
Those who rejoice over their win, effectively rejoice over another’s loss,
And by so doing, tear the heart out of the Gospel, and re-nail Christ to the cross.
Competitiveness is an egotistical exercise — in other words, sin,
It’s all about putting ourselves first in order to triumph over others and win.
Such makes a mockery of grace, for grace isn’t for winners, but the undeserving,
Hence why I repeat, the very essence of competitiveness is self serving.
Yes, competitiveness brings out the worst in us — it’s that “Me first” mentality,
As competitors aren’t thinking in terms of their opponents best interests, clearly.
Were they to consider such, and act self sacrificially, they’d hardly come first,
For any competitor who wants to win, must clearly have a ‘self’ driven thirst.
The competitive spirit is a “Survival of the fittest” mentality,
An “Every man for himself” approach — it’s humanistic, acting indifferently.
Hence why such should play no part in the Christian’s life, for it is seriously flawed,
Something unbefitting Christians, and contrary to the example of our Lord.
As Sherlock Holmes said, “It’s elementary, dear Watson” — yes, as clear as can be,
For competitiveness exalts oneself, it grandstands boastfully, basks in glory.
And hence why when we think it through logically, and then line it up biblically,
We see that competitiveness can’t be defended, harms us spiritually.
By Lance Landall
“When they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another,
they are without understanding” (2 Cor 10:12, RSV).
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others” (Phil 2:3,4).
“Let no one seek his own, but each one the others well-being” (1 Cor 10:24).
“ ‘So the last will be first, and the first will be last’ ” (Matt 20:16, NIV).
Question: Would God help people win competitively? Response: Would God violate His own principles?
