Human nature harbors a deep desire to be first, a drive to compete and overcome. God has instilled in us the ability to strive and prevail, offering valuable lessons through such endeavors. However, satan has distorted this instinct, turning it into endless rivalry among men, evident in everything from sports championships to extreme competitions like noodling for catfish. Society is often driven by a competitive spirit, defined as conflict for territory, resources, or dominance, ranging from informal contests for bragging rights to serious conflicts like wars. This winner-takes-all mentality, rooted in self-exaltation and pride, fosters discord and is deemed worthless in God's eyes. Even among Jesus Christ's disciples, disputes arose over who would be the greatest, revealing a carnal desire to exalt oneself. Jesus taught that true greatness comes from serving as the least, countering the human urge to dominate within families, workplaces, and homes. In contrast, the vanity of worldly competition is highlighted by fleeting achievements in sports and games, where even monumental victories soon fade, leaving only temporary satisfaction and worthless trophies. A different form of competition, cooperative competition, aligns with a Christian life, focusing on mutual benefit and peaceful exchange without harming others, uniting against a common enemy rather than each other. God has called us as His firstfruits, already first in His sight, rendering worldly competitions insignificant compared to the eternal promise of following the Lamb of God.

Pride motivates us to exalt ourselves above others and to compete against them, often leading us to reject truth in order to promote the self. This destructive force drives us to gamble even with our own and others' lives to achieve personal gain. In the example of Lucifer, pride brought him into contention with God, exalting him to break commandments and deny clear truths. Similarly, pride can cause us to strive for positions of leadership, to contend with brothers over trivial matters, and to prioritize winning arguments over maintaining unity. It stirs up strife and disrupts fellowship, producing confusion and frustration wherever it dominates.

Competition has been a driving force in shaping societies, fostering growth and innovation through the constant push to excel and outdo others. It permeates every aspect of life, from childhood rivalries to professional endeavors, embedding a culture of striving for superiority. However, this same competitive spirit, when brought into spiritual fellowship, can wreak havoc by destroying unity. The struggle to win arguments or to surpass others often stems from pride, leading to conflicts that mirror the first sin of satan, who, driven by pride, waged war against God. While competition in certain contexts can be constructive, aiming to do one's best without diminishing others, the destructive form seeks to tear down or elevate oneself at another's expense. Humility stands as the antidote to pride, fostering unity by encouraging individuals to value others above themselves and to bear with one another's faults patiently. Conflicts arising from selfish ambition or conceit disrupt the peace that should exist among brethren, replacing love with strife and allowing satan's influence to prevail. Even in matters of great importance, the approach to differences must be marked by patience and love, reflecting how God gently guides without force. Disagreements should be handled with a spirit of peace, allowing time for growth and understanding rather than hastening to impose one's views. The focus should be on personal growth and holding fast to truth, rather than engaging in disputes that harm fellowship. Instead of competing over truth, cooperation and sharing of knowledge should be the aim, benefiting all through mutual support.

The prime feature of political decision-making is that it's a zero-sum game. One person or group's gain is, of necessity, another person or group's loss. As such, political allocation of resources is conflict enhancing, while market allocation is conflict reducing. The greater the number of decisions made in the political arena, the greater is the potential for conflict. When it's the political arena that determines who gets what goodies, the most effective coalitions are those with a proven record of being the most divisive, based on race, ethnicity, religion, and region. Many of the issues that divide us are best described as a zero-sum game, where one group's gain is of necessity another's loss. If there were a severe economic calamity, a political hustler could exploit these frailties, blaming various groups or factors, just as has happened in other countries and times. The best thing the president and Congress can do to heal our country is to reduce the impact of government on our lives, producing a less divided country and greater economic efficiency.