When does competition become a bad thing? - Competition - TouchPoints

2 Timothy 2:5Athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules.

Competition can be unhealthy when it causes you to sin by trying to win at all costs. When winning is everything, you almost always compromise your integrity.

Genesis 4:4-8The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. . . . One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him.

Competition can lead to jealousy, anger, and bitterness. Cain let his gifts to God become a competition against his brother Abel. Instead of asking God what would make his gifts acceptable, Cain simply got angry and ended up killing his brother.

Luke 18:11“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!’”

Competition can lead to you to compare yourself with others. The Pharisee in this story saw his whole religious life as a competition—to show himself to be more pious than anyone else. This is pride, and pride always leads to trouble.

Matthew 18:1-4About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” . . . Then [Jesus] said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Competition can be a foothold for pride and jealousy because it often leads you to compare yourself with others. Everyone has equal worth in God’s eyes, and anytime you begin to think of yourself as more important or better than others, your competitive spirit is taking you in the wrong direction. When humility fuels your competitive nature, you give everything you have to doing your best, not besting others.

Numbers 12:1-2While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. They said, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the Lord heard them.

Competition disrupts not only your relationships with others but also your relationship with God if it causes you to think you are entitled to something you don’t have. Miriam and Aaron, who were also leaders during the Exodus, were jealous of their brother Moses and were competing for his leadership position. They had an inflated view of their abilities. If you feel you are “entitled” to something, your competitive attitude is already misguided. You are in danger of pride which leads to damaging important relationships.