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Dangers Of Competition In The Church
Dangers of competition in the church

Different people have different views towards ministry and different reasons for being in it. To some, it's amassing wealth and earning a living. While to others it's winning souls and equipping saints. These views and motives have direct impacts on the Church. They are responsible for her present state. Motives matter! Since they are the basic determinants of the nature and outcome of every ministry. If the motives are wrong, the ministry will be run the wrong way. If the motives are right, a ministry built with the right structure can be guaranteed.

    Being in ministry is not as important as having Heaven's stamp of approval on it. Doing it the right way may not always be pleasant but our first goal should be to ensure that God is pleased with what we're doing. Knowing that if He is not pleased, we don't stand a chance of receiving a reward on the Last Day, and there's possibility of missing Heaven.

    1 Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV
    For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

    The Early Church operated as a single organism. Just within the book of Acts of the Apostles, we can see the impact they created due to the synergy that existed within. There was nothing like "me, myself and I". No one was struggling to outdo the other. Everyone worked to achieve the goals for which the Church was established. Today the reverse is the case. The spirit of competition powers many ministries. In the world it is okay for businesses to compete with each other and attract more customers, but that can not apply to Kingdom business. The LORD is against competition in His Church.

    The end time Church is the end time army of the LORD and His plan for us is to advance as one to achieve all that He longs to see His Church achieve on Earth. 

    Joel 2:7-8 KJV
    They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: [8] Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
    I believe if the motives of our ministries do line up with the mind of God for His Church, there would be no need for competition. Due to the fact that many have stepped into ministry for selfish reasons, competition has become the order of the day.

    Romans 16:18 KJVFor they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.


    Philippians 3:19 KJVWhose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

    Causes of Competition in the Church


    1). Wrong View Towards Ministry: Some see ministry as a fight to get to 'the top' and remain there. That gives birth to the spirit of competition. It's saddening how far ministries which are run by the spirit of competition can go in order to remain relevant. If ministry is seen as an opportunity to advertise oneself and draw customers in the the name of members, we need to ask ourselves if that lines up with the Word or not.

    2). Ambition: Some who are in ministry today were never called. They only desired to start doing what they're doing and worked towards it. We can not just wake up one day and desire to start preaching and prophesying and expect to do it right and have God's hand upon it. Ministries which are birthed by ambition and not through God's calling will always strive to stay relevant through competition.

    3). Wrong Mentorship: Submitting to wrong mentors is another factor which births competition-driven ministries. The mentors we submit to today will always determine the calibre of ministry we will birth tomorrow. If one's mentors are driven by the spirit of competition, there possibility of one's ministry being different from theirs is very slim.

    4). Uncrucified Self: Is another factor which births competition in ministry. When one's focus in ministry is misplaced from Christ and His Church to Self, what's expected is the spirit of competition. Such can go extra-miles just to be seen and heard.

    5). Wrong Understanding of Success in Ministry: To some, success in ministry means having large auditoriums, pulling crowds and making a lot of money. With this wrong mindset they can do anything to achieve their dream success.

    Effects of Competition On The Church


    1). Disunity: Competition breaks the bond of unity that exists in the Church. The more competition the Church experiences the more lack of lack of unity that will be witnessed. In John 17, the LORD prayed for the Church to be one, not the opposite.

    John 17:20-21 KJV
    Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

    We should not think that we can so discord in the Body of Christ and go scot-free.
    Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV
    These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

    2). Lack of Support for One Another: If am striving to get to the top, how will I support other Christians? No I'll pull them down or use them as leverage to get to where I wanna be. That's what competition does.

    3). It births hate, not love:. The spirit of competition working through a minister of the gospel clearly doesn't love the other Christians it competes with. If they want to get to the top and remain the only one there, what will they not do to keep others under their feet? If they have the opportunity they are even ready to assassinate those whom they want to outdo in ministry.

    4). Limited Impact of the Church: The Church was originally created to work as one. We're all parts of Christ's Body. One part of the body can not perform the role of all other parts of the Body no matters how much it strives to. Different part of the Body must perform their function, not as separate entities but as one, in order for the impact of the Church to be mightily felt on Earth.

    This list is however not exhaustive. Competition is toxic to the existence, growth and impact of the Church. The harm it can cause are innumerable.

    The LORD's will is for His end time army to advance without breaking ranks, but today we're clearly breaking ranks and attacking each other. And competition is one of the causes.

    1 Corinthians 12:14-19,21-27 KJV
    For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? [18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. [19] And if they were all one member, where were the body? [21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. [22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: [23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. [24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: [25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. [26] And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

    A brother once told me, "In ministry overtaking is allowed." We're not in a race to overtake anyone in the Church. We're not to compete but complement each other. If at all there is any need to compete, the one you should compete with should be yourself. Compete with yourself to bring out the best in you and let God use you to the fullest.

    We have to re-assess our motives for being in ministry and make corrections where necessary. Nothing will be as good as receiving a 'well done good and faithful servant' from the LORD on the Last Day.

    Remain Blessed.

    Sharing is Caring. Please use the share buttons. Share your thoughts as comments below.

    Dangers Of Competition In The Church

    Dangers of competition in the church

    Different people have different views towards ministry and different reasons for being in it. To some, it's amassing wealth and earning a living. While to others it's winning souls and equipping saints. These views and motives have direct impacts on the Church. They are responsible for her present state. Motives matter! Since they are the basic determinants of the nature and outcome of every ministry. If the motives are wrong, the ministry will be run the wrong way. If the motives are right, a ministry built with the right structure can be guaranteed.

      Being in ministry is not as important as having Heaven's stamp of approval on it. Doing it the right way may not always be pleasant but our first goal should be to ensure that God is pleased with what we're doing. Knowing that if He is not pleased, we don't stand a chance of receiving a reward on the Last Day, and there's possibility of missing Heaven.

      1 Corinthians 3:11-15 KJV
      For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

      The Early Church operated as a single organism. Just within the book of Acts of the Apostles, we can see the impact they created due to the synergy that existed within. There was nothing like "me, myself and I". No one was struggling to outdo the other. Everyone worked to achieve the goals for which the Church was established. Today the reverse is the case. The spirit of competition powers many ministries. In the world it is okay for businesses to compete with each other and attract more customers, but that can not apply to Kingdom business. The LORD is against competition in His Church.

      The end time Church is the end time army of the LORD and His plan for us is to advance as one to achieve all that He longs to see His Church achieve on Earth. 

      Joel 2:7-8 KJV
      They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: [8] Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
      I believe if the motives of our ministries do line up with the mind of God for His Church, there would be no need for competition. Due to the fact that many have stepped into ministry for selfish reasons, competition has become the order of the day.

      Romans 16:18 KJVFor they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.


      Philippians 3:19 KJVWhose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

      Causes of Competition in the Church


      1). Wrong View Towards Ministry: Some see ministry as a fight to get to 'the top' and remain there. That gives birth to the spirit of competition. It's saddening how far ministries which are run by the spirit of competition can go in order to remain relevant. If ministry is seen as an opportunity to advertise oneself and draw customers in the the name of members, we need to ask ourselves if that lines up with the Word or not.

      2). Ambition: Some who are in ministry today were never called. They only desired to start doing what they're doing and worked towards it. We can not just wake up one day and desire to start preaching and prophesying and expect to do it right and have God's hand upon it. Ministries which are birthed by ambition and not through God's calling will always strive to stay relevant through competition.

      3). Wrong Mentorship: Submitting to wrong mentors is another factor which births competition-driven ministries. The mentors we submit to today will always determine the calibre of ministry we will birth tomorrow. If one's mentors are driven by the spirit of competition, there possibility of one's ministry being different from theirs is very slim.

      4). Uncrucified Self: Is another factor which births competition in ministry. When one's focus in ministry is misplaced from Christ and His Church to Self, what's expected is the spirit of competition. Such can go extra-miles just to be seen and heard.

      5). Wrong Understanding of Success in Ministry: To some, success in ministry means having large auditoriums, pulling crowds and making a lot of money. With this wrong mindset they can do anything to achieve their dream success.

      Effects of Competition On The Church


      1). Disunity: Competition breaks the bond of unity that exists in the Church. The more competition the Church experiences the more lack of lack of unity that will be witnessed. In John 17, the LORD prayed for the Church to be one, not the opposite.

      John 17:20-21 KJV
      Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; [21] That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

      We should not think that we can so discord in the Body of Christ and go scot-free.
      Proverbs 6:16-19 KJV
      These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

      2). Lack of Support for One Another: If am striving to get to the top, how will I support other Christians? No I'll pull them down or use them as leverage to get to where I wanna be. That's what competition does.

      3). It births hate, not love:. The spirit of competition working through a minister of the gospel clearly doesn't love the other Christians it competes with. If they want to get to the top and remain the only one there, what will they not do to keep others under their feet? If they have the opportunity they are even ready to assassinate those whom they want to outdo in ministry.

      4). Limited Impact of the Church: The Church was originally created to work as one. We're all parts of Christ's Body. One part of the body can not perform the role of all other parts of the Body no matters how much it strives to. Different part of the Body must perform their function, not as separate entities but as one, in order for the impact of the Church to be mightily felt on Earth.

      This list is however not exhaustive. Competition is toxic to the existence, growth and impact of the Church. The harm it can cause are innumerable.

      The LORD's will is for His end time army to advance without breaking ranks, but today we're clearly breaking ranks and attacking each other. And competition is one of the causes.

      1 Corinthians 12:14-19,21-27 KJV
      For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [16] And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? [17] If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? [18] But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. [19] And if they were all one member, where were the body? [21] And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. [22] Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: [23] And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. [24] For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: [25] That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. [26] And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

      A brother once told me, "In ministry overtaking is allowed." We're not in a race to overtake anyone in the Church. We're not to compete but complement each other. If at all there is any need to compete, the one you should compete with should be yourself. Compete with yourself to bring out the best in you and let God use you to the fullest.

      We have to re-assess our motives for being in ministry and make corrections where necessary. Nothing will be as good as receiving a 'well done good and faithful servant' from the LORD on the Last Day.

      Remain Blessed.

      Sharing is Caring. Please use the share buttons. Share your thoughts as comments below.
      See Also
      Church Growth Competition In The Church Devotionals How To's


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