An ancient Greek legend recounts the tale of a runner who finished in second place and was consumed by envy. The winner was praised by the crowds, and a statue was erected in his honor. The second-place runner let envy gnaw at him to the point where he could think of little else. Ultimately, he destroyed the statue in the dark of night, chiseling away at the base little by little to weaken its foundation. When the figure finally toppled, the heavy marble crashed down on the athlete and killed him. 

Proverbs 16-18 – Pride Destroys

While the runner’s story may be fictional, it powerfully illustrates the self-destructive nature of pride, jealousy, and envy. Without self-control, these attitudes can damage not only the individual but also those around them—especially in competitive settings. Solomon warns against such behavior throughout Proverbs, with chapters 16–18 offering some of the clearest insights. Proverbs 16:18 captures the core message: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”

When we place ourselves at the center of our lives, we allow pride to undermine our relationships with our teammates and coaches. We constantly battle against a culture that encourages this destructive behavior. Often, the more successful an individual is, the more tempted they are to make their sports about themselves. It’s been said by many coaches that “There is no I in the word team.” Proverbs teach how to put God’s values into practice.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete avoid pride and its accompanying attitudes: jealousy, greed, and envy. They practice the wisdom that comes from God, as found in the Proverbs.

Bible Memory Verse – “He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.” Isaiah 53:7 (LSB)