Winning isn’t everything, and cheaters who think so only hurt themselves.  But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t compete to win. 

In Pauls’ letter to the Corinthians, he’s quite clear:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.” 

And if we do win, there is often great joy in it.  But there is also great danger.  Have you seen those athletes who, when they celebrate their victories they pound their chest, or taunt their opponents, and endlessly draw attention to themselves?  They take credit, not just for their performance, but for winning itself.

This is the sin of pride, which C.S. Lewis says is the one vice that is competitive by its very nature—”It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest.”

Why is pride dangerous?   Well, Lewis says, “as long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”

And if our victories lead us to pride in ourselves rather than humility before God, we will be like King Uzziah, who, “when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God….”

Compete to win.  Enjoy your successes.  But always remember,

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but the victory belongs to the Lord.”