By Jenny Fulton

Competition.

On the surface, it seems to be a pretty straightforward word with a fairly basic definition – the act of trying to win, to be the best. Someone who is described as competitive is thought to be very aggressive and possess a strong desire to win.

Is this a good thing or not? Is it something Christians should aspire to and engage in? Does it stand in opposition to how Christ has called us to live? Is it sinful? Neutral? Does it depend on how we approach it? Is there a way to approach it in a godly way?

By the time we reach adulthood, we’ve acquired an abundance of experiences and perceptions regarding competition. Some of these may be positive, some negative, and some a mix of both. The latter is my experience. I won’t share the details of my dealings with competition now (maybe I will in another article), but in general, I was in 2^nd grade when I first realized I loved to compete and that I was good at it. I participated in athletics all through middle and high school, played intramural sports in college and one year on the college women’s basketball team, and have coached elementary, middle school, and high school athletic teams.

As you can probably guess, I’ve been thinking a lot about competition lately. While coaching my daughter’s middle school volleyball team this year, a conflict with one of the parents challenged me to evaluate what I really believe about this concept. I spent days holding it in my hands, slowly twisting it around to examine every facet of it. As I did, two phrases kept coming to mind:

“Run in such a way that you may win.”

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

I wasn’t sure why God was bringing these bits of Bible verses to mind, but decided they were probably important and that I should look at them more closely in context later to determine if or what they had to do with my questions regarding competition.

So, I invite you to follow along (if you dare) as I share my thought progression as I delved into this idea.

Evaluating Competition

Basic Idea: To Try to Win

As already stated, the basic idea and understanding of competition is that it’s a conscious, deliberate attempt to win.

Competition establishes a goal and purpose for those participating in the activity. It gives them something to work towards, something to set their minds upon, a reason to train.

Other Goals

But winning isn’t the only goal embedded within competition. Other goals people may be motivated by include:

Gaining more playing time on a team
Striving to improve personal results, such as a faster time, greater height or distance, higher skill level, better score, etc.
Attaining the highest possible degree of excellence

How to Win

In order to win, you have to be the best or at least deemed better than your opponent. In order to achieve the other goals listed, you must prove yourself as good or better than your teammates or continually strive to become better than you were.

And this is where the idea of Competition gets deeper. Endeavoring to be the best requires an abundance of mental, emotional, and physical qualities and effort.

On an individual level:

You must be intentional and fully committed to the task. No doubting. No second-guessing. No looking back.
You must be disciplined and have self-control. This often carries over to health and wellness practices such as diet and sleep habits. What you put into your body can drastically affect it and therefore impact your performance in positive or negative ways.
You must be willing to work hard, do your best, physically push yourself beyond what’s comfortable, beyond what you’ve ever done and what you think you’re capable of doing.
You must be willing to endure and keep going when it’s hard and you’re in pain, trusting that the pain is only temporary, it’s often an indication that you’re getting stronger (such as when you have sore muscles), and that it’s worth experiencing it to achieve your goals.
You must be completely focused, fully immersed in each moment, giving it 100% of your attention and effort, not distracted by anything else going on around you.
You can’t focus on your mistakes. You should try to learn from them if you can, but if you’re in a fast-paced, game situation, thinking about your errors, about where you fell short, prevents you from seeing what’s in front of you and keeps you from being able to move forward in an effect way.
You must be willing and able to accept correction and learn from instruction.

If you’re on a team:

You need to be aware of and care about how your teammates are doing.
You need to know what your teammates are capable of, what their strengths and weaknesses are, be able to read and anticipate their actions, and trust them to perform their roles.
You need to support your teammates in their roles and trust them to support you in yours.
You need to encourage your teammates and be continually pushing each other to work hard and improve.

There are undoubtedly more qualities that could be included in both of these lists, and I’d love to hear what you’d add.

Unhealthy Competitive Qualities

Now, I consider each of the traits listed above as being very positive ones. But I’ve also observed and experienced the less-stellar side of competition. So, here are my ideas on what it may look like when competition/competitiveness is unhealthy:

When winning and the activity itself comprises the entirety of a person’s value and identity
When winning is seen as the only acceptable outcome and the pressure to achieve that single outcome becomes a too-heavy burden that weighs down the soul
When someone adopts a “win at all costs” mentality to such an extent that they’re willing to break rules and demonstrate no concern for the well-being of their competitors
When winning becomes an intentional means of tearing others down and boosting one’s own status and sense of superiority
When a coach’s or teammate’s correction/criticism for mistakes is consistently communicated in a way that’s more critical and demeaning than it is constructive
When losing, making mistakes, or falling behind produces extreme anger to the point of desiring and/or causing physical harm
When winning produces excessive bragging and arrogance
When you stop seeing your opponents as human beings who were created by God and are immensely loved by Him

Healthy Competitive Qualities

In contrast to the unhealthy qualities, I truly believe there are ways to engage in competition in a good, healthy, loving manner:

When winning and the activity is viewed as merely one way by which a person engages in who God created them to be and the gifts and interests He gave them
When the activity and engaging in competition brings a sense of joy
When winning is seen as one possible outcome of the dedication, time, and effort the competitor put into the training process but is not viewed as the most important end-all, be-all
When competition is seen as a means by which to push and encourage oneself and others to a place of higher excellence
When correction is given in a way that’s helpful and encouraging
When you see and remember how much God loves your opponents and can applaud the efforts and results of everyone competing while still striving to honor God by doing your best
When you can rejoice in the accomplishments of others as much as in your own accomplishments
When, at the end of the competition, you can rest in the knowledge that you gave everything you had, regardless of the outcome

Overall Benefits of Competition

Competition presents goals to work towards, a reason (purpose) to work towards them, and provides the opportunity to teach and engage in a character-building process by which those goals can be achieved. It promotes excellence and offers a sense of confidence and accomplishment when you see your hard work pay off, whether through winning or improvement.

Spiritual Parallels

And now to the verses God kept bringing to mind.

The phrase, “Run in such a way that you may win” is found in 1 Corinthians 9:24. The complete passage (vv. 24-27) reads, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (NASB95)

In the fuller context of these verses, Paul was describing the dedication and lengths he was willing to go to serve God and share the Gospel. This apostle followed and obeyed Christ’s call upon his life with as much (if not greater) dedication as an athlete who was intensely training and competing with the goal to win. But, as Paul said, his goal of serving God and teaching others about Him was an even greater aspiration than winning an earthly contest. And the eternal reward is far better than any physical prize we could ever receive in this world.

The phrase, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” is the last phrase in Hebrews 12:1. Going a little further to finish the thought, verses 1-3 say, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (NASB95)

This passage immediately follows the section of Scripture commonly referred to as “The Hall of Faith.” Chapter 11 begins by stating, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval” (vv. 1-2, NASB95). Verse 7 declares that Noah, “became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (NASB95). Throughout this chapter, the writer of Hebrews named sixteen people from the Old Testament who lived out their faith in God, were declared righteous because of it, and were given an eternal reward. He also referred to other (unnamed) followers of God who whole-heartedly lived out their faith, even when faced with incredible hardship, pain, and death. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him” (v. 6, NASB95).

With this context in mind, I returned to Hebrews 12:1-3 and the idea of competition. Because of the example set by all those who believed God and followed Him before us, their lives proof that such faith is possible, we should approach the Christian life, this life of faith, with the dedication and whole-hearted commitment of a competitive long-distance runner. Focusing on Jesus – on His life, His teachings, His death, resurrection, and present reigning with God, all the ways He lived in perfect love and obedience to God – gives us motivation to keep going, to keep serving and following Him, even when it’s hard.

Throughout the Bible, God often uses physical examples that we can relate to in order to point to and explain spiritual truths. Competition is a tangible way for us to see and understand spiritual truths about what it means and looks like to love and serve the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).

In fact, when I looked back at the traits I listed for “How to Win,” I realized they could apply to our walk with God. And then more verses flooded my mind. So, here are those traits again, this time with Scripture that applies to what it looks like to love and serve God with everything we have.

Be intentional and fully committed to the task. Matthew 16:24 (NASB95) – “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’”
Be disciplined and have self-control. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NASB95) – “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Work hard and do your best. Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB95) – “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
Endure and keep going when it’s hard and you’re in pain. Romans 5:3-5 (NASB95) – “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Be completely focused, not distracted by anything else going on around you. 2 Timothy 2:4 (NASB95) – “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Don’t focus on your mistakes (sins). Philippians 3:12-14 (NASB95) – “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Accept correction and learn from instruction. Proverbs 12:1 (NASB95) – “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid.”
Be aware of and care about how your teammates are doing. Philippians 2:3-4 (NASB95) – “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Know what your teammates are capable of and trust them to perform their roles. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NASB95) – “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Support your teammates in their roles and trust them to support you in yours. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB95) – “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
Encourage your teammates and push each other to work hard and improve. Hebrews 10:24 (NIV) – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

Concluding Thoughts

So, is competition a good, God-honoring pursuit for Christians to engage in?

I believe it can be, not that it always is. After praying and thinking about this topic and writing this article, I’m convinced we can approach it in a God-honoring way and that there are many great lessons and good, godly character traits we can gain from the process.

However, I don’t think everyone should or is called to participate in competitions or athletics. There are other ways God can teach us those lessons and help us develop and grow in our walk with Him.

Like so many other activities, I think whether or not a Christian should participate in athletics and competitions depends on a variety of factors, such as:

Has God called them to it?
Has God given them the desire or interest?
Is it the right time and place for it?
Is there a healthy, trustworthy environment for it?
Is God calling them to be a Light in an unhealthy environment as a way to witness to others and point the way to Him?

Before I end, I think there’s another matter that should be clarified. There are different reasons people enjoy athletics and competition and different things they mean when they say they like it.

For example, I enjoy competing in sports because I love being completely, intensely immersed in a moment, playing full-out without holding back, and pushing myself to see what I can do.

My oldest daughter (12 yrs old) isn’t aggressive in any way, shape, or form, but she really likes playing volleyball and being on a team and is very good at precision sports like archery.

I’ve realized that when my 9 year-old daughter says she’s competitive, what she means is that she likes having goals and challenges to work towards. It really doesn’t matter what the context is — rock climbing, volleyball, basketball, etc.

And my youngest girl (7 yrs old) loves gymnastics so much that she taught herself how to do somersaults and cartwheels and was doing them so much (pretty much everywhere) that we decided to enroll her in a gymnastics class.

So, whether you consider yourself competitive or not, whether or not you participate in and enjoy athletics, I pray that if you are a Christian, you will strive with me in the earnest pursuit of knowing God better, loving and walking with Him more, and learning to better love one another as Christ has loved us. And if you’re not a Christian, I pray you will see and understand the great love God has for you, that He’ll reveal Himself to you, and that you’ll choose to follow Him.

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Highlighting Connections

Evaluating Competition and its Connection to the Christian Life