When I was a kid, we used to play a game called “King of the Hill”. There wasn’t much to winning it other than bragging rights, which never lasted very long, especially if there were 3 or more of us participating. The single objective was to stand on the top of something and claim ownership. That’s it – LOL! It didn’t matter what the “something” was, only that it was physically elevated, placing the “king” in a position of power. If you were king, everyone else in the game was hell-bent on dethroning you, so attacks designed to topple you would come from every angle, sometimes concerted if you were especially tough.
That game would last surprisingly long if we were feeling especially aggressive that day or in need of an ego boost. I’m not a psychologist, so I’m not 100% sure, but I’ve read that these are outlets young boys use to test their mettle and establish their worth relative to others, developing the skills necessary to survive in this world. To be honest, I wish there were more of these types of activities nowadays. Most young boys I know are too coddled by their parents, often over-protected, as if a cut or a bruise from such a competition would be the end of the world. But I digress…
Imagine, for a moment, that you are the “king of the hill”. Now, I want you to imagine something gross (apologies in advance). Imagine if the “hill” you were defending was covered with cow manure. Your attackers are coming from all sides, grabbing your ankles, body-checking you, doing whatever it takes to knock you down and drag you kicking and screaming off the hill. In that moment, what do you all have in common? Answer: you’re all filthy, covered in dung, and smell horrible.
What good is taking a hill that worsens your condition? Furthermore, what good is competing for a prize that has no value? Hold that thought.
In a kids’ game, the primitive is winning. Sure, there are better places to play “king of the hill” than a dunghill, but the very objective of the game can be met even in the stinkiest of environments. The hill has no real value; it’s merely a necessary construct. However, if we apply this as an analogy to life, while there still may be a desire to conquer the hill, we must ensure our aspirations are godly. In other words, we must ask ourselves if the hill is worth all the effort.
That’s the “aha” moment here. You see, we humans often let our pride blind us. We get so hung up on winning that we end up losing in the end. We’re so trained to conquer that we often fail to question the value of the prize. Satan and the kingdom of darkness love to heighten competition as a form of misdirection to encourage our fighting over virtual dunghills.
When I was on social media, I used to see this kind of awfulness played out between so-called “Christian” advocates. It made me cringe.
If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
– 1 Timothy 6:3-12
Paul wrote fervently about ensuring we pursue godliness, that we fight for it even, with everything we’ve got. If we desire victory, then it ought to be for the right prize, to God’s glory. If it’s merely for bragging rights, it’s for our own glory and worth less than a pile of dung. (At least that can be used for fertilizer. What can your bragging rights ever be used for?)
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
– 1 Timothy 4:7-10
There’s nothing wrong with a good fight; we just need to make sure the prize we are striving for has value in God’s eyes. For another good read on this topic, I suggest the blog, Best Dressed.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
– Philippians 3:14-21
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins