The Book of Proverbs
Part 9
Competitive Hearts & Comparing
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. 31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.”
-Proverbs 21:30-31
Competition
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
-Proverbs 14:30
Comparing
“Competition”
(Verb) The act or the process of trying to get or win something.
Competitive language in the Bible
“Conquer” – (verb) To overcome and take control of a someone or something.
“More than conquerors”
-Romans 8:28-39
The competitive heart first shows up in the heart of Satan.
See Isaiah 14:12-14 below
“How you have fallen from heaven… You have been cast down to the earth… 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne… I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly… 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”
“Anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”
-2 Timothy 2:5
God’s Rules for Getting into Heaven
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.”
-Ephesians 2:8,9
It is that simple!
Roman Emperor Nero Cheated At the 67 AD Olympic Games
Fred Lorz
Famous hitch-hiker
Taking a Shortcut - American runner
Tom Hicks
Dehydrated winner of 1904 Olympics
28 “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose… 31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [Because he won it when he defeated death and Satan at the cross] … 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble… hardship… persecution… famine… danger or sword? … 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us… 38 neither death nor life… angels …demons… present… future… any powers… 39 in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus..."
-Romans 8:28-39
We win!
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ 18 He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’”
-Luke 10:17-20
Because of your faith in the death & resurrection of Jesus, your name is on the list of those getting into heaven.
We win!
“Death has been swallowed up in victory. 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”… 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully [Full training] to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
-1 Corinthians 15:54-58
We win!
The Olympic motto is Citius-Altius-Fortius, which is Latin for "Faster-Higher-Stronger" in English. The motto was first said by Dominican priest Henri Didon at a school sports event in 1881.
Paralympic Motto = "Spirit in Motion". The motto is visually represented by the Agitos, a symbol that consists of three elements in the colors red, blue, and green, which are the most common colors on national flags around the world. The three Agitos encircle a central point and symbolize motion. The word "agito" is Latin for "I move".
Paul Analogy of a Race & Self-Discipline
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? [Gold Metal] Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, BUT we [Christians] do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” [Heaven]
- 1 Corinthians 9
In the Olympics of Life of a Christian
2.Only one of you will win in the end.
4.But you win the “War” because Jesus won the “Battle” at the cross
We will outlive this world.
Crowns in heaven
Life is filled with competition that you will never have to face alone.
Always picture Jesus at your side.
How would Jesus compete?
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…”
-Colossians 3:23
Not-Fair Competition
David and Goliath Competition
The common goal was to destroy the other person’s God.
(-1 Samuel tells the story)
There is nothing wrong with “healthy” competition.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
-Proverbs 27:17
Always try to EXIT unhealthy competition.
When you can not
EXIT
then
EXIST
As a Christian should.
Sometimes you can’t help being in competition.
Some Rules for Healthy Competition
You don’t always have to win.
You don’t always have to win to have fun.
See the deeper truth that in healthy competition, when someone is the winner it doesn’t mean that all others are losers.
Satan wants us to think that we have won when we haven’t and that we have lost when we haven’t. He wants us to break some or all of the rules for healthy competition.
Results of
Healthy Competition:
Everyone “wins”
Brings out the best
Raises standards
Can thrill
Unhealthy Competition:
Someone “loses”
Brings out the worst
Lowers standards
Can kill
“Records come and go. The glory of God is eternal.”
–Sydney McLaughlin
“Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.”
-Proverbs 10:6
“The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.”
-Proverbs 14:18
Standing on the Rock/Jesus
vs
Standing on the Podium
Both might be great but standing on the Rock/Jesus is far superior and is forever.
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.”
-Revelation 2:10
Let your life be your testimony.
Comments