Definition and Context:
Competition, in a biblical context, refers to the act of striving against others for the purpose of achieving a goal or obtaining a prize. While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "competition," it addresses related concepts such as rivalry, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence. The Scriptures provide guidance on how believers should approach competition, emphasizing humility, love, and the glory of God.

Biblical Principles on Competition:

1. Healthy Ambition and Excellence:
The Bible encourages believers to pursue excellence and to use their God-given talents for His glory. In Colossians 3:23-24 , it is written, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage highlights the importance of working diligently and with the right motives, focusing on serving Christ rather than seeking human approval.

2. Rivalry and Selfish Ambition:
Scripture warns against rivalry and selfish ambition, which can lead to discord and strife. James 3:16 states, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." Believers are called to avoid these negative aspects of competition and instead cultivate a spirit of cooperation and unity.

3. Humility and Serving Others:
Philippians 2:3-4 instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This passage emphasizes the importance of humility and selflessness, encouraging believers to prioritize the well-being of others over personal gain.

4. Running the Race:
The Apostle Paul often used athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life, likening it to a race that requires discipline and perseverance. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable." This metaphor encourages believers to remain focused and disciplined in their spiritual journey, striving for eternal rewards.

5. Love and Encouragement:
The Bible calls believers to love one another and to encourage each other in their pursuits. Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds." This verse underscores the importance of fostering a supportive community where individuals uplift and motivate each other, rather than engaging in destructive competition.

Examples in Scripture:

· Cain and Abel: The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 illustrates the destructive nature of jealousy and rivalry. Cain's inability to accept God's favor towards Abel led to the first murder, highlighting the dangers of unchecked competitive feelings.

· Jacob and Esau: The rivalry between Jacob and Esau, as described in Genesis 25-27, showcases the consequences of competition driven by deceit and ambition. Their account serves as a cautionary tale about the long-term effects of competitive strife within families.

· Disciples' Ambition: In Mark 10:35-45, the disciples James and John request positions of honor in Jesus' kingdom, prompting a lesson from Jesus on servanthood and humility. This incident reveals the human tendency towards ambition and the need for a Christ-centered perspective on greatness.

Conclusion:
The Bible provides a balanced view of competition, encouraging believers to pursue excellence while maintaining humility and love. By focusing on serving God and others, Christians can engage in healthy competition that honors God and builds up the community.1 Corinthians 9:24
Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain.
Topicalbible.org

John 4:1-54
When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
Topicalbible.org

James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Why he said, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
Topicalbible.org

(n.) The act of seeking, or endeavoring to gain, what another is endeavoring to gain at the same time; common strife for the same objects; strife for superiority; emulous contest; rivalry, as for approbation, for a prize, or as where two or more persons are engaged in the same business and each seeking patronage; -- followed by for before the object sought, and with before the person or thing competed with.1864. epagonizomai -- to contend with or for
... 1864 (from 1909 , "focused " and 73 , "a contest, competition") -- properly, to
(literally, ""), ie with skill and commitment in opposing whatever is not of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1864.htm - 7k

A Competition in Lying.
... Book X. Chapter LXIV."A Competition in Lying. When Appion heard this,
and those who were with him, they raised a great howling ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lxiv a competition in lying.htm

Interdenominational Readjustment
... This is a type of organization in which the people of the local community, tiring
of the uneconomic system of interdenominational competition, and without hope ...
/.../chapter viii interdenominational readjustment.htm

{24A} Upon the Love of Our Neighbour. Preached on Advent Sunday.
... The competition and rivalship is between self-love and the love of our neighbour:
that affection which leads us out of ourselves, makes us regardless of our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon xi 24a upon the.htm

Chatter xviii. The Great Immigration.
... of settlers organized by individual States and by railroad corporations and other
great landed proprietors, and the eager competition of steamship companies ...
/.../a history of american christianity/chatter xviii the great immigration.htm

The Olivet Message.
... For that business man down in the sharp competition of the world where duty calls
him, to resist the sly temptations to overreach, to keep keenly alert not to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the olivet message.htm

Tendencies Toward a Manifestation of the Unity of the American ...
... The mutual relations of the sects are sometimes those of respect and good will,
sometimes of sharp competition and jealousy, sometimes of eager and ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xxii tendencies toward a.htm

The Missing Factor in Current Theories
... As time goes on this Struggle "at first a conflict with Nature and the elements,
sustained by hunger, and intensified by competition "assumes many disguises ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/ii the missing factor in.htm

Preface
... additional matter, was so far approved by the American Historical Association as
to receive honorable mention in the Justin Winsor prize competition of 1901. ...
/.../greene/the development of religious liberty in connecticut/preface.htm

Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
... The competition in trade, the bad times, the over-peopled country, were given as
reasons why, if the business were carried on simply according to the word of ...
/.../muller/answers to prayer/chapter i beginning and early.htm

Preface of the Second Edition.
... disregard, inasmuch as to have carried them out would have altered too largely the
character of the book, and brouht it into undesirable competition with others ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/preface of the second edition.htm

Competition (6 Occurrences)
...Competition (6 Occurrences). Romans 2:8 But to those who, from a love of competition,
are not guided by what is true, will come the heat of his wrath, (BBE). ...
/c/competition.htm - 8k

Vie (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To strive for superiority; to contend; to
use emulous effort, as in a race, contest, or competition. ...
/v/vie.htm - 7k

Winning (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Attracting; adapted to gain favor; charming; as, a winning address. 3.
(n.) The act of obtaining something, as in a contest or by competition. ...
/w/winning.htm - 7k

Rival (5 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Having the same pretensions or claims; standing in competition for
superiority; as, rival lovers; rival claims or pretensions. ...
/r/rival.htm - 8k

Match (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) An agreement, compact, etc. 7. (n.) A candidate for matrimony; one to be
gained in marriage. 8. (v.) Equality of conditions in contest or competition. ...
/m/match.htm - 9k

Victory (71 Occurrences)
... (n.) The defeat of an enemy in battle, or of an antagonist in any contest; a gaining
of the superiority in any struggle or competition; conquest; triumph ...
/v/victory.htm - 27k

Guided (86 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Romans 2:8 But to those who, from a love of competition, are not guided
by what is true, will come the heat of his wrath, (BBE). ...
/g/guided.htm - 31k

Gain (142 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) To come off winner or victor in; to be successful in; to obtain by competition;
as, to gain a battle; to gain a case at law; to gain a prize. ...
/g/gain.htm - 39k

Worst (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To gain advantage over, in contest or competition; to get the better of;
to defeat; to overthrow; to discomfit. 4. (vi) To grow worse; to deteriorate. ...
/w/worst.htm - 8k

Win (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) To gain by superiority in competition or contest; to obtain by victory over
competitors or rivals; as, to win the prize in a gate; to win money; to win ...
/w/win.htm - 14k

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