Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Here is an article which was shared with me:
"Paul says something that has a bearing on the matter of competition and comparing people and results. He wrote, “We are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12). As Paul says, we should avoid comparing and measuring ourselves to others. Pride, arrogance, and boasting are too often the result of winning. Self-rejection, self-loathing, inferior feelings, envy, jealousy, and anger are too often the result of losing. We should not want either—regardless of the high value that the world places on competition in all spheres of life.
In competition and in comparing our appearance, our grades, our achievements, and our skills, we seem to be saying, “Look at me. Look at what I’ve done! Look at what I’ve accomplished!” This self-focus is the very opposite of the way of God, that is to regard the other as “more important than” ourselves, and looks for the “interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). Paul asks, “Who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). We are not to exalt over others because of our assumed “superiority.” We are to realize that any achievement we have has only been given to us; we are not personally responsible. We are to walk in humility and not the pride that competition often brings (James 4:6, 10; 1 Peter 5:5-6).
Competition and comparing bring with them many different sins (mentioned in this book), such as envy, jealousy, self-rejection, pride, arrogance, boasting, selfishness, lack of love, seeking first place, lack of compassion, and others. Let’s run from all of this while pursuing genuine love that seeks the welfare of others."
Read the rest of the article here.
