Rooting For Rivals: Pursuing A Higher MissionSample

Pride vs. humility

Jesus is what unites us, yet His followers disagree—often passionately—on politics, church, science, and so many other issues. We know we’re supposed to be on the same team, but if we agree on anything, it’s probably that we are a Church divided. There are legitimate reasons for churches and organizations to disagree, but there is also an undercurrent pulling us apart rather than propelling us forward in the unity Christ prays for in John 17. 

So what is it that divides us? Each of the remaining devotionals explores one of the Seven Deadly Sins—first articulated by Christian monks in the fourth century—and the threat it poses to our unity in Christ. We begin with what many theologians have described as the root of the remaining sins: pride. 

From growing a church to addressing injustice or caring for our families, God calls all of us to specific tasks. But we can easily become so focused on these pursuits that we lose sight of the broader mission behind our mission: “Seek first the kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33 ESV). When we neglect this view, we give pride—which C.S. Lewis describes as “spiritual cancer”—an inroad into our hearts. Pride causes us to be consumed with ourselves and prevents us from rooting for our rivals. Lewis writes, “If I am a proud man, then, as long as there is one man in the whole world more powerful, or richer, or cleverer than I, he is my rival and my enemy.”

Just like a human body, the body of Christ functions best when its members perform their unique roles, yet pride excels at luring each of us to think of ourselves more highly than we ought. The antidote is found in recognizing our role as one member in the larger body of Christ, working alongside others toward a mission too grand to accomplish on our own.   

To fight the vice of pride:

1. Celebrate those around you. Recognize and value the variety of skills God has given them. 
2. Pray for others, particularly rivals.
3. Share your failures, providing an opportunity for you and others to learn from mistakes.
4. Seek out partnerships rather than replicating what’s already being done.
5. Remember the mission beyond your mission. Seek first God’s Kingdom, not your own.