"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man... It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition is gone, pride is gone." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
I have never thought about pride this way, but it is true. Pride does not settle on achieving something; pride is only satisfied once it has more than everyone else.
Why do we compete with each other? James says, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your evil desires that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel.” James 4: 1-2.
There is a fundamental issue at work whenever we are being competitive. At its core, it is a disbelief that God will provide for our needs and our wants. We need to remember that He is the source of all good things in our lives. All is grace. We are not entitled to anything. When we truly understand that, we cannot be competitive because we come to realize that everything is a gift.
Pride is the original sin. It is the enemy of love. Competition is the source of pride. Competition and pride have no place in our lives as Christians.
Good thoughts.... Another thing that came to my mind reading this is that we also compete with ourselves/our own previous achievements. Depending on the situation, it can drive you to better yourself or it can become self-destructive.
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