“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory”
(How to compete and not compete at the same time)
[Study Aired October 22, 2026]
The world teaches us to measure ourselves against others, seek recognition, and establish our superiority, a mindset which we are coming out of, by God’s grace.
Notice the opposite spirit of these two verses, one with a foundation (12 another Jesus) on flesh (10) and the other with flesh (10) on the foundation of Christ (12): 2Co 10:12, 2Co 12:10.
2Co 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
It takes a miracle to stop savouring the things of this world, and to only want to fulfill God’s will on earth as it is in heaven, and this is accomplished by coming out of Babylon and loving not the things of the world as we are dragged to Christ (Mat 16:23, Ecc 10:1, Gal 5:9, 1Jn 2:15,[1Jn 3:1, Mat 5:44-45]).
Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
God calls us and drags us (Joh 6:44) to a different way of thinking (Php 2:2-3) and teaches us to put away strife and vainglory and to consider the welfare of others. The question is not simply whether we succeed, but what spirit motivates us in this life. The race of life for the elect is to run (1Co 9:24) with a singleness of mind (2Co 11:3, How Christ our husband loves His wife, with a wholehearted singleness toward us Eph 5:28-30), as we learn that the one person who is going to win this race within us is Christ (Mat 10:38, Gal 2:20).
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
Eph 5:28-29 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The way we compete in this race is we run the race with each other in mind, bearing each other’s burden to the finish line, and losing our life so that we can gain it (Gal 6:2-3, Php 2:3-4). That is not the way the natural man in us is used to run (Eph 2:1-3). However with a new mindset, the mind of Christ,(Col 1:27) (Php 2:12-13) we can do what was once impossible to do (Luk 18:22-23 – the rich young ruler), losing our life so that we can find it (Col 1:27).
Php 2:2-4 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
We can have a right positive competitive spirit, if we understand that God’s word encourages us to strive or run lawfully (2Ti 2:5), in a race where we possess our souls patiently, growing in spiritual maturity by God’s mercy being given, His increase that changes us (Psa 127:1, 1Co 3:6). Competition becomes sinful when it is motivated by envy, pride, selfish ambition, or the desire to exalt ourselves above others, all works of the flesh and not of the spirit (Rom 1:28-29, Jas 4:5, Mar 15:10, Gal 5:19-21) (250 princes, Korah’s rebellion Num 16:2-3, the congregation of Israel rebel against Moses and Aaron Num 16:41).
2Ti 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
We Are God’s Workmanship (Eph 2:10)
We cannot change ourselves through our own strength, but through God’s power we can overcome our own righteousness and be found in Christ with his righteousness (Php 3:9). These two sections of scripture (Php 2:12-13, Luk 17:10) must co-exist in our hearts and minds and be adhered to by the power of God’s holy spirit or we will be powerless to overcome that natural competitive spirit, that causes us to not be able to see beyond our own needs and start looking to the needs of others.
Php 2:12-13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
If God will grant us to die daily, and permit this growth in His service it will be His gift to us in this age that accomplishes this (Eph 2:8). The way is narrow but certain with the Lord ruling in our heavens, who tells us the elect will scarcely be saved (Php 2:4, Php 2:20, 2Co 12:6-11, 1Pe 4:18).
1Pe 4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
We are God’s workmanship and our growth in humility, and our ability to love others, and our overcoming of envy and rivalry are all part of His work within us (Eph 2:10). We cannot boast as though we have transformed ourselves. This point was being made by Joseph in type and shadow when he said these words to His brothers in (Gen 50:20).
Gen 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Joseph typifies the elect who are judged in this life by his brothers who thought evil against him so that much people could be saved alive. Christ’s mother Mary, who represents the elect church, had her heart pierced so that “the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luk 2:35, same sword 2Sa 12:10). Both stories elude to the point that the elect are judged first in this life (1Pe 4:17, 1Pe 4:12) so that we can in turn judge the rest of the world.
Luk 2:35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
1Pe 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
It takes the piercing of our hearts, and the evil thoughts of our brothers against us (Mat 10:22) for us to become true overcomers who overcome the natural conceitedness of the human heart through Christ (Rom 11:18), both within, and from without (Rom 11:25).
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Paul’s warning against being “wise in our own conceits” strikes at the heart of the wrong competitive spirit were looking at in this study. In Romans 11, he warns the Gentile believers against boasting over the branches, reminding them that their standing is not a reason for pride (1Co 10:12-13).
1Co 10:12-13 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Paul explains this further in (Gal 2:20), declaring that he lives by “the faith of the Son of God.” It is through Christ working in us [who bears us physically and spiritually Php 4:13, Php 4:19], that we learn to put our old, self-exalting nature to death. Esteeming others better than ourselves is not merely an outward rule; it is the fruit of Christ’s mind being formed within us (Col 3:12-14).
Col 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
We have no grounds to boast over another person. We did not establish our own calling, produce our own faith, or make ourselves God’s workmanship. Everything depends upon God’s mercy and purpose (1Co 3:5, 1Pe 2:17-18).
1Co 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1Pe 2:17-18 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
As we recognize that our faith and spiritual growth depend upon God (1Co 3:7, 1Co 2:5), the desire to prove ourselves better than others begins to lose its hold. We learn to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, trusting Him to accomplish His purpose (1Pe 5:6), that enables us to turn the other cheek (1Pe 2:19-20)
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 2:19-20 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Our calling is not to exalt ourselves, but to submit to God’s work and allow Him to determine our place (1Co 12:18).
1Co 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
Without God’s work within us, we remain subject to the pride, envy, and desire for recognition that characterizes the natural mind. Paul learned both how to be abased and how to abound through Christ (Php 4:11-13), and it is these described actions that keep us in remembrance that we’re the chief of sinners who are being saved through Christ, and that our greatest enemy is ourselves (1Co 9:27, 1Ti 1:15).
Through Christ’s strength, we can endure being overlooked without resentment and experience success without pride. We do not need to be threatened by another person’s accomplishments, because our hope is not in our standing among men, but in Christ (2Co 3:5-6).
2Co 3:5-6 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Philippians 2:3–4 teaches us to esteem others better than ourselves, but Christ’s teaching takes us further. We are not merely called to show humility toward our brethren; we are commanded to love our enemies in order to be called “the children of your Father which is in heaven” who loved us while we were yet sinners (Mat 5:44-45, Rom 5:8, 1Pe 2:19-20).
Mat 5:44-45 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
1Pe 2:19-20 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
This leaves no room for a spirit that seeks revenge, rejoices in another person’s failure, or desires to humiliate an opponent.
Jesus also says (Mat 5:11-12):
Mat 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Jas 5:10)
Jas 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
In other words, we must be prepared to be misunderstood, reviled, and falsely accused for Christ’s sake. The world may consider us weak when we refuse to retaliate or compete for honour, but Christ calls those who endure such treatment for His sake blessed.
Can we remain humble when rejected is the question. Can we love those who oppose us? Can we endure being brought low without demanding recognition or vindication? If God’s power is going to rest upon us, and it must if we are to endure these attacks of Satan, then we will be experiencing His grace that is sufficient for us, as we are empowered to overcome evil and not be overcome by evil (1Pe 4:1, 2Co 12:9, Rom 12:21).
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Th 1:5)
2Th 1:5-6 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
God Chooses the Weak and Uncomely
The world values strength, wisdom, status, and recognition. God’s Word reveals a different pattern in the calling of His elect:
1Co 1:27-29 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Paul explains in verse 29 that no flesh should glory in God’s presence. God chooses the weak, foolish, and despised things of the world so that the glory belongs to Him and Him alone when we are given to overcome (Joh 8:36).
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
These principles challenge worldly competition to the core. Christians must not measure a person’s worth by their abilities, popularity, education, or influence (Jas 2:2-4). God may be working powerfully through someone whom the world overlooks, and of course He is (Heb 13:1-3, 1Pe 3:4, Col 3:3, Mat 13:55, 1Jn 4:17).
Jas 2:2-4 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
If we are as Christ in this world we will be overlooked, and at the same time be learning to be content whether we have a little or a lot (Php 4:12). It is therefore the hidden man of the heart who is not negatively competing in this world, but losing his life and seeing the immeasurably greater value of the weightier matters of “judgment, mercy, and faith”(Mat 23:23), that are formed by suffering with the people of God (Heb 11:26, 1Co 15:58).
Heb 11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
If we are granted to take “judgment, mercy, and faith” into any arena of competition along with (Mic 6:8) our endeavors in the flesh will be understood to be being used to build each other up, appreciating each member for who they are and how that joint contributes to the body of Christ (1Co 12:20-23, Eph 4:16).
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
1Co 12:20-23 But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
The world understands the power behind this principle of unity in a corporate way, or in churches that are run like cooperations, or in sports, or in families, but the difference with the body of Christ is the discipleship that is being formed by the love of God being shed abroad in our hearts that gives us the power to obey his commandments demonstrating true discipleship (Joh 8:31-32) one to another (Rom 5:5, Joh 13:35, 1Jn 5:2-3).
Joh 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Disciples indeed (Joh 8:31-32) are all part of one body, with the same goal of pressing “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”, which is a work of God (Eph 2:10) that is dependant on every joint supplying in love (Php 3:14, Eph 4:16). That’s what we are striving for, or competing for together, with the mind of Christ, to remain united and not letting any man take that crown away from anyone of us (Rev 3:11).
We can’t stop or change the world from having an inward competitive ‘win at all costs’ attitude, and during the thousand year reign of the saints with Christ, the world will experience great change in every aspect of life including the near-religious obsession the world has with professional sports. The zealousness of Christ and his body that fights a good fight of faith with a rod of iron will be on display (Rev 2:27), being about our Father’s business to a purposeful end. The flesh of man will rebel against that leadership in time, just as Korah and the two hundred and fifty men of renown did, and ultimately see us as competing with them and not doing things for their good.
The whole problem with flesh is that it’s sacrifice, no matter how large (1Co 13:3), is not accepted, because it is not upon a burnt offering, which is what acknowledges that Christ is the one who receives all the glory having done the work through us (Php 2:12-13). Such a mindset is only possible by the destruction of the man of sin within us (2Th 2:2-8).
David gathered those who were distressed, indebted, and discontented (1Sa 22:2). They were not the people the world would necessarily have considered great or powerful, yet they gathered to David (Joh 6:44) [who is a type of Christ] and became part of what God was doing, as a type and shadow of God’s elect and to drive home the point to the world, in type and shadow, that the only efforts that are acceptable to God are those that are in Christ (Eph 1:6).
Eph 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
As a type of the elect, this verse (1Sa 22:2) reminds us that God’s people are not called because the world considers them impressive. The Lord works through those who recognize their need (Luk 18:13) and are brought together under their appointed head, as those who were gathered to David.
1Sa 22:2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him [David]; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.
Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
We have no reason to compete for worldly status within the body of Christ and if we recognize our own weakness and see ourselves as the chief of sinners and unprofitable servants (1Ti 1:15, Luk 17:10), we will also rejoice in knowing that God is not letting the sword of his word depart from our house so that we can remain abased under His mighty hand and be exalted in due time because of His power within us (Heb 12:6, Tit 2:12-13, 2Sa 12:10, 2Co 12:9).
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Scripture encourages diligence, discipline, and perseverance (1Co 9:24).
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
But our Christian race is not about proving that we are more worthy than our brothers in Adam. We’ve already been told that we are the weak of the world and that the other fold that Christ spoke of (Joh 10:16) are held back for our sakes (Mat 11:11). It is about growing in faith, obedience, and spiritual maturity through Christ so that every joint can supply in love, so that we can all come into the unity of the faith in time (Eph 4:13-16).
Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
To be a kind of first fruits unto God is the greatest honour that could be bestowed on any human, and that wheat harvest will mature and grow fully for the benefit of the other fold, “Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.” (Rom 11:29-33).
We can and must through Christ pursue excellence without pride, appreciate another person’s gifts without jealousy, and accept correction without resentment (1Pe 2:20).
1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
We can also endure being overlooked without demanding recognition, with God’s spirit within us (1Co 12:22-23).
1Co 12:22-23 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
God loves that humble spirit and it takes a miracle in our lives to become the apple of His eye who he looks to because of the humble and contrite spirit that He gives us. God will always exalt those who are abased in those situations, and that humble and contrite spirit is a work of the Lord in the elect (Isa 66:2).
Isa 66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
The world asks, “How can I be greater than the other person?” The mind of Christ asks, “How can I be faithful to God and serve others?”
In conclusion: The Victory Is God’s Work in Us
The negative competitive spirit is rooted in pride, envy, and the desire to exalt ourselves, which explains our former conversation ‘to a T’ (Eph 2:1-3). Yet God does not leave us to overcome these things by our own strength (the all things verses : 1Co 13:7, Php 4:13).
1Co 13:7-8 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
We are His workmanship, and He works within us both to will and to do His good pleasure, as He destroys that former way of thinking and makes us one in the Lord by giving us the kingdom of God today in earnest within, knowing now that the least is greater than John because we are a special new creation in Christ (Eph 2:4-5, Luk 17:21, Luk 7:28).
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Luk 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.
Our calling extends beyond esteeming our brethren better. We are to love our enemies and remain faithful when reviled for Christ’s sake. We must also remember that God chooses the weak, foolish, base, and despised things of the world so that no flesh should glory in His presence. With God’s spirit working within us we can be in the world and not of it (Joh 17:16-17).
Joh 17:16-17 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
The following verse can be thought of as that time when God’s people are resurrected and is also a principle that carry’s forth into every day life (Luk 14:8-10).
Luk 14:10 But when thou art bidden [“to a wedding”], go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.
What (Luk 14:10) reveals is an attitude (Luk 17:10), and an understanding which tells us that God alone can fashion this new heart within the bride of Christ by His spirit (Eze 36:26, Rom 8:9). Such a great and blessed honour is given to the bride because of what God has formed within us (1Pe 3:4, Mat 18:3-4).
Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do (Php 2:13).
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Mat 18:3-4 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
The true victory is not proving ourselves greater than someone else. It is learning, through God’s workmanship within us, to walk in the humility, love, and by the faith of Jesus Christ (Mic 6:8, Zec 4:6). We are in this competitive world and not of it, so how we conduct ourselves by God’s grace and the faith of Christ, is witnessing to the life of Christ within his disciples, who are the means by which all men will be saved in time (Oba 1:21).
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Zec 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
The key is to understand that God is teaching us to be gracious winners through Christ, as well as gracious losers of our lives through Christ, and that means we are here to minister “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” no matter what the circumstance we find ourselves in. (Php 2:1-4, Mat 20:28)
Php 2:1-4 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.