The GOAT Problem – “Seeing Clearly a Better Way”

As our “GOAT Problem” series comes to a close, we’re reminded that Scripture does not condemn confidence, ambition, or achievement; what it confronts is how easily those good things become distorted by comparison and competition. When our personal growth turns into superiority, our confidence turns into scorn, and our ambition becomes self-centered, we drift away from the way of Jesus – the Way of Life. This week we wrap up by offering two more alternatives to “Better Than” and reframe both confidence and ambition as Jesus would have us live them out.

1.  Confidence Without Scorn Luke 16:9-14)

• In what may be the best “Better Than” story in the Bible, Jesus tells a parable in Luke 16 aimed at those who were confident in their righteousness and scorned others. The Pharisee’s prayer reveals how comparison disguises itself as spiritual maturity; his confidence depends on being “better than” someone else. The tax collector offers no comparison and no defense—only honest humility before God. Jesus’ conclusion: the humble man, not the impressive one, goes home justified.
• True confidence is grounded in humility. Humility does not erase confidence; it makes confidence possible (and logical). Like approaching a four-way stop, humility pauses, takes stock of who we are, who others are, and where we fit in the story before moving forward – with confidence.
• Confidence without scorn navigates relationships, conflict, and leadership with clarity and humility rather than entitlement. “Confidence without scorn doesn’t think it owns the intersection. The humility comes in the stopping – stopping to evaluate who we are and who everyone else is.”

2.  Be Ambitious for Others (Romans 12:9-10^ESV; Philippians 2:6-11)

• Scripture doesn’t condemn ambition—it redirects it. In Romans 12, Paul calls believers to “outdo one another in showing honor,” reframing ambition around lifting others up rather than elevating ourselves. Ambition gains its moral weight and goodness not from its intensity, but from its goal.
• Wanting “more” for its own sake ultimately leaves us empty, but a culture shaped by honoring others has the potential to transform our workplaces, marriages, neighborhoods, and churches.
• As Paul reminds us in Philippians 2, Jesus is the ultimate example of this redefined ambition. Though equal with God, he chose humility, service, and obedience for our sake. His humility led not to loss, but to exaltation—showing that God, not comparison, is the one who gives true honor.
• Ultimately, the “better way than ‘better than’” is THE Way – Jesus himself.  Only he offers freedom from comparison and competition; only he offers the gift of true, abundant life (John 10:10b). He invites us to follow him into a life of confident humility and others-centered ambition.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE

These passages may provide additional insights related to the subject of this week’s message. All verses are NLT unless otherwise noted.

Psalms 25:9; Proverbs 18:10-13; Micah 6:8; Luke 9:23-25; James 4:1-3; 1 Peter 5:5-6

Video of the Week: Is There More to Life Than ‘More’? by He Gets Us

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

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1. In what area of your life (work, marriage, etc.) do you most often feel the pull toward comparison and competition?  Explain your answer.

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2. How might your own sense of identity change if your confidence no longer depended (to whatever degree) on comparison with others?  

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3. As you understand it, what would you say is a Biblical definition of the word “humility”?  Are humility and “meekness” the same things?  Explain your answer.

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4. Read Romans 12:9-10^ESV again. Our traditional idea of “ambition” is a drive to get things done (typically for our own benefit). Do you think Paul’s view of ambition – to “outdo one another in showing honor [to others]” – is the kind of ambition that “gets things done”?  Why or why not?

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5. Thinking back to Question 1, how might “outdo[ing] one another in showing honor” change the culture and atmosphere of that area of your life where you’re most prone to comparison and competition?

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6. As “The GOAT Problem” series wraps up, what’s one practical step going forward that you can take to overcome any tendency you might have toward comparison and competition with others?