"For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, slaves to various desires and passions, living in malice and envy, we were hateful and hating one another."
(Titus, Chapter 3, Verse 3*, the bold text is ours)
"Everyone who competes exercises self-control in all things: they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we – an imperishable one. I run not as one running aimlessly, nor do I beat as if striking the air, but I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified." (First Corinthians, Chapter 9, Verses 25-27*, the bold text is ours)
If you know that something is up to your standard and you have to demonstrate it to someone else, you approach much more calmly than when you have to do something you are not skilled in, right? Yes, but in fact, very often we are required to do things we are not skilled in, are not confident in, or that are new to us and by default believe are difficult and that we will not manage. In these moments we are inclined to observe others or at least those we see succeeding, comparing ourselves with them and their abilities.
Of course, based on comparison with others, we will either place ourselves in the "capable" category or in the "unsuccessful" one. Here comes the moment of competition, where one enters competitor mode, to "qualify in the league" of the capable and not that of the unsuccessful. However, both categories are human concepts hiding different dangers for the human soul. The capable is threatened by pride, while the unsuccessful – by envy.
Does this mean we should not develop, strive for success, and fight for it?
In First Corinthians, Apostle Paul talks about competitions and races, saying the following: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." (First Corinthians, Chapter 9, Verse 24*) The verse is widely known, but its context not as much.
In the entire chapter, the apostle speaks about what he deprives himself of, although it is his right. He speaks about his sacrifices and service before God and people, as he says: "For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That I may preach the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel." (First Corinthians, Chapter 9, Verses 17-18*) What we understand from these words is that spiritual competition is different from human ones, there are different disciplines and a different criterion for measuring the final result.
While for us humans it is leading how much faster, more skilled, better, more successful or even more beautiful we are, before God, it is important how pure our hearts and motives are when we do something and how willingly we do it.
If we as humans compare ourselves with those around us, striving to be as good as they are if not better, then God wants us to only compare ourselves with His standard of holiness, namely, with Christ, competing only against our own human flesh in order to overcome it.
If our human rewards bring recognition leading to pride/arrogance, and failure in competition disheartens us and makes us envious and malicious, then God awards another type of reward. They are not always received here on earth because they are "imperishable", but on the other hand, this makes them practically inexhaustible and indestructible. No one can take away the "crown" that Christ will give you except your own sinful flesh. Therefore, the competition is against it, not against other people.
Competitions we should not participate in are these:
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- where we fight and compare ourselves with others
- where we win harmful or temporary things leading to pride
- where we might hurt others around us or our own souls
- where we aim to elevate and glorify ourselves, not Christ
The competition we should participate in:
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- is against our own ego and human nature
- earns us an "imperishable crown"
- elevates and honors all participants
- follows celestial rules where motive is important
Challenge for the week: Is there a person you compare yourself with? Or is there someone who constantly "competes" with you? How does this "competition" make you feel or act? We encourage you to "turn the rules of the game" by starting to honor and recognize the person you have been "competing" with. Be positive and impartial towards him/her, for which you can call/write/comment on social networks about something positive that the person does, can do, or is. Even if your emotions are not in agreement with your actions, know that you are thus competing in the most successful way against our common enemy – the human ego, which guarantees you the "heavenly reward" above and spiritual safety here on earth.
*The biblical quotes are according to the text of the Bible, New Translation from Original Languages © Bulgarian Bible Society 2013.
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