Better Than by Larry Perry

Philippians 2:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Yesterday I said; “Don’t try to be better than them. Pride will lead you astray.”

Many of us were raised to set goals and achieve goals. Sadly not everyone was raised to understand the real purpose of goal setting. It builds self-esteem. If we feel good about ourselves, we will act out of goodness. If we despise ourselves we will act despicably. If we have self-worth we will not seek things to make us happy. Happiness does not come from material possessions.

What do we think of when we hear the word snooty? We do not care to be around people who act that way. We tend to gravitate towards people that are sincerely interested in us. Pride goes wrong when it effects how we treat others. Pride is at the center of rivalries. It leads towards bitter disputes and violence.

Pride can sneak into your life unawares and to see it for what it is takes an honest look at how we treat others. Here is a small meaningless example.

I did not find Philippians 2:3 by searching for its words in the ESV. I am reminded of passages by the Holy Spirit in the KJV. I grew up in the KJV and memorized passages in the KJV. When it came time to witness to others I found they grew up with the NIV or the NASB. Even now as I have settled on the ESV as my writing choice, I have done so with the consideration for copyrights and not popularity.

I had to admit others do not like the KJV and my reasons for choosing the KJV became a source of pride as I found myself using words of justification that stunk of pride. “I use the KJV because it is an archaic language and it makes me seek God.” The undertone was rooted in pride by insinuating that I do a better job of seeking God than others. Insinuating is an interesting work. It begins with in sin.

Proverbs 16:18 English Standard Version (ESV) Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

I play chess and on my best days I was a masters candidate. Few know exactly what that means but it is best understood by thinking in terms of who you will have to play to earn the title.

One night I attended a University of Texas chess club to see what kind of players I might have to match up against. I was watching others play being the odd man out. Then their masters candidate came in from his recent win in a Dallas tournament. Not wanting to interrupt play he asked me if I would like to play a game.

I beat him with a 5 move mating sequence that began with knight and queen sacrifices. It embarrassed him and he challenged me to play again. He was furious that he had lost to a nobody. So I sought to teach him a lesson. I didn’t even try. I made bad move after bad move letting him win easily three games in a row.

His ego was satisfied but the lesson never did sink in. Pride would not allow him to learn the lesson I tried teaching him. The player across the board is a person, not the enemy. How you treat people is more important than winning.

That night I learned that I did not want to be like that boy, full of himself to the point that no one else mattered. Being good at something doesn’t make you a good person. Having a title doesn’t mean you deserve respect. How you treat people matters. Sadly not everyone learns to be considerate of others just because someone shows you consideration.

There are hundreds of characters in the bible. Their mistakes are a warning of consequences. Don’t try to be better than them. Pride will lead you astray.