Slideshow image

June 15, 2026

The Competitive Nature of Pride

By Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Luke 14:7-11; Philippians 2

As important as it is to read the Bible, this summer I want to encourage you to branch out and read C. S. Lewis’ book Mere Christianity if you’ve never read it. It’s one of those titles that are considered a “Christian classic.” By that, I mean it is a volume you can read repeatedly and gain new insights with each new reading. Tucked away within its pages, there’s a quote that is applicable to this week’s parable. Specifically, the quote revolves around the nature of pride. Lewis writes:

Now what you want to get clear is that Pride is essentially competitive – is competitive by its very nature – while the other vices are competitive only, so to speak, by accident. Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking there would be nothing to be proud about. It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone. That is why I say that Pride is essentially competitive in a way the other vices are not.

With that quote in mind, Jesus is invited to the home of a Pharisee (Luke 14:1) where he observed an interesting phenomenon. “…he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table” (Luke 14:7, NIV). The text doesn’t say pushing or shoving was involved, but apparently the guests were in competition over the best seats. A clear demonstration of pride. 

In response to what he saw, “he told them this parable: ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted’” (Luke 14:7-11, NIV).

How embarrassing. Attending a dinner party, you sit down in the best seat only to be asked to move down because someone else, who is more distinguished than you, was supposed to sit in that seat because it was reserved by the host. To avoid this embarrassment, the guest should sit in the “lowest place,” so they are honored if asked to move up to a more honorable position. 

Of course, the parable extends beyond the dinner table. Our attitude as Christians should be one of humility (see Philippians 2). Humility doesn’t mean I consider myself a worm, but means I’m not preoccupied with my own importance. If I take on a responsibility, and am seeking to honor Christ, my motive is for his sake, then it’s okay if I’m not recognized. Our significance is not wrapped up in hearing the applause of others. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to have someone say, “thank you for your work,” but our motive should be, ultimately, to please Jesus and hear him say, “well done, good and faithful servant.” When that is your motive, you don’t care who receives the credit. Keep that in mind next time you’re invited to a dinner party. 

Discussion Questions

  1. In the culture of Jesus’ time, table seating was everything. While we might not push for the head of a banquet table today, what are the modern equivalents of "picking the places of honor"?
  2. Jesus highlights the deep embarrassment of being publicly humbled versus the honor of being invited to move up. Why do you think he used such a practical, social example to teach a profound spiritual truth?
  3. Humility doesn't mean thinking of yourself as a "worm," but rather not being preoccupied with your own importance. How can we practically balance healthy self-worth with genuine, Christ-centered humility?
  4. It feels good to hear "thank you for your work." How do we learn to appreciate encouragement and recognition when it comes, while keeping our ultimate motivation focused strictly on pleasing Jesus?