Kingdom At Work
If leaders steward organizations long enough, comparison eventually comes knocking.
It begins as a whisper and can become the loudest voice in the room—surfacing when a top performer resigns or when a powerful competitor enters the market.
Comparison is not merely a mindset issue; it is spiritual warfare that distorts what is true and pulls attention off the King and His invitation to partner. The hope is clear: Jesus offers another way. Below are two common disguises of comparison—where they come from, how they show up, and how Kingdom leaders break free.
“Us vs. Them” Dialogue
When the nation’s top builder announced a return to Lubbock—publicly committed to making it work—concern rose before a single lot was cut. Billions in cash. A history of moving markets. Then the aftershock: a long-tenured leader from Betenbough Homes accepted the competitor’s division-president role. He knew the company’s costs, strategy, and partnerships.
This is how comparison begins: a fast, quiet script—Loss is coming. Market share is at risk. The playbook is exposed. One root of this comparison is scarcity and self-protection. It narrows the story to brand, turf, and deficits, then recruits fear to fortify the narrative.
When welcomed, the Holy Spirit interrupts that spiral. He reminds leaders whose company it is and whose Kingdom they serve. In this moment, Betenbough Homes’ president sensed a different response: bless and release. Blessing was spoken over the departing leader, and prayer was offered for the competitor’s early success—because God’s Kingdom is bigger than any logo. Years later, that builder is thriving, and Betenbough Homes’ Lubbock sales reached record levels in the company’s 33-year history. Comparison said “protect”; the Spirit said “trust.” Fear did not write the ending; abundance did.
How the Spirit guards leaders against this type of comparison:
- Shifts identity from “this is mine to defend” to “this is His to steward.” Leaders carry authority as stewards, not owners (Psalm 24:1). That shift loosens fear’s grip and invites open-handed decisions.
- Reframes speech—moving language from “protect the market” to “steward the assignment.” Words shape culture; “stewardship” signals trust, limits, and obedience rather than turf-defense.
- Widens the story—from rivalry to Kingdom reach, where another’s fruit does not diminish one’s own. In abundance, God multiplies impact across many fields (John 4:35–38). We all play a role in expanding the Kingdom—and those roles will look different.
- Leads toward blessing—because blessing breaks scarcity’s grip (Romans 12:14). Praying for the “other” trains hearts to trust God as Source and repositions all people as His.
Put it into practice (this week):
- Bless the “other.” Identify one competitor, former teammate, or peer who triggers anxiety, and pray specific fruitfulness over their next step.
- Choose stewardship language. Replace turf-defense words with assignment words (2 Corinthians 10:13).
- Instead of “We need to protect our market,” say: “Let’s steward the field God assigned to us.”
- Instead of “Don’t let them take share,” say: “Be faithful in our lane and bless what God’s doing in theirs.”
- Instead of “Guard our position,” say: “Focus on excellence in our assignment and trust God with the outcomes.”
- Explain the why. Tell teams where and why God is calling you to lead differently. Don’t hold good seed back—invite them in: “This organization isn’t tribal. Wherever God is at work, we rejoice and bless. Our role is to faithfully steward our assignment and cheer Kingdom impact beyond us.”
The Inner Voice
This disguise rarely announces itself. It subtly slips in on the commute or just before prayer: Not enough Bible. Too many struggles. Others are more spiritual. In a Kingdom Leadership Workshop keynote, Cal Zant, Betenbough Homes’ president, described a season when he avoided time with God for fear the conversation would be a list of shortcomings.
The hesitation looked like humility, but the Lord exposed it: a religious spirit that accuses and measures. In Mark’s Gospel, the first spirit Jesus casts out appears in the synagogue (Mark 1:21–26)—accusation often hides in spiritual places. It also masquerades as wisdom, offering half-truths (“I can work harder,” “I need to perform better”) that sound honorable but subtly deny the gift of grace and dependence on God.
This is how comparison forms on the inside: a private record of thoughts and actions that distract, delay, and disrupt intimacy with the Father. Instead of abiding, leaders strive to achieve or prove themselves worthy. The record recruits familiar “leader instincts”—perfectionism, progress-at-all-costs, striving, and competitiveness. But the Spirit wants to stop that record from replaying in your mind.
How you can call on the Spirit to guard your mind against this comparison:
- Remember there are no spiritual elites. Jesus calls all “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). He reveals the Father as the One who smiles when His children walk in the room, not a judge waiting with a lecture (Hebrews 4:16; Romans 8:1).
- Reframe the wrestle. Questions aren’t failure—faith is emerging. David’s questions and stumbles didn’t disqualify him; God called him “a man after My heart” (Acts 13:22; see Psalms of lament).
- Return to abiding. Remain with Jesus. That is how you make space for Him to interrupt the loop: receiving identity and direction from Him—and bearing fruit with Him, not merely for Him (John 15:1–5). In this, identity becomes concrete: beloved, adopted, chosen (Ephesians 1:4–5; 1 John 3:1). From that place, leaders respond to His voice rather than to thoughts that try to disguise themselves as humble or honorable.
Put it into practice (this week):
- Ten unhurried minutes. Phone down. Email off. Pray, “Father, what do You want me to know today?” Write one line and align your next decision to it.
- Name the lie—answer the accusation. Say aloud the thought that’s on repeat, then take authority over it: “That voice is not from God. In Christ I am beloved, and He is leading me” (Romans 8:1; John 10:27).
- Model honest dependence. In your next team meeting, be open about what you’re practicing: “We are learning to listen together.” Then pause as you rest and abide in the Spirit and wait for truth to be revealed. Invite others to practice with you—the Spirit speaks in unity through the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Why Comparison Is So Destructive (and So Common)
- Replaces Presence with pressure. Comparison measures; Presence anchors. Comparative leaders rush; Spirit-led leaders bring peace.
- Shifts ownership. People, profit, and plans become “ours.” Kingdom leaders remember: it is His business, His people, His story.
- Disrupts intimacy with the Father. Comparison delays, distracts, and derails the very relationship that fuels discernment.
Reflection for CEOs & Executive Teams
- Where is the “us vs. them” comparison most tempting (peers, competitors)? What blessing can be prayed over them today?
- What inner dialogue has been delaying or distracting you from hearing the voice of God? What truth from the Father do you need to seek today?
A Final Word
God is not withholding; He is inviting. He is not recruiting perfect leaders; He is forming Kingdom leaders who listen and obey. When comparison is traded for communion and strategy for surrender, leaders do more than make better calls—they become a different kind of leader: non-anxious, courageous, and deeply aligned with the King.
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for calling me to this work and entrusting me with this business. When I’m tempted to compare myself or this company to others, remind me that You’ve assigned me a unique place in Your Kingdom—not to compete, but to contribute. Teach me to boast only within the area of influence You have assigned (2 Corinthians 10:13), and to steward my assignment with joy.
I confess that comparison often robs me of joy, clarity, and gratitude. It blinds me to Your provision and distorts my view of success. Set my heart on the truth: that faithfulness, not status, pleases You.
Let me steward what You’ve given with open hands and a grateful heart. Help me celebrate others without questioning my worth. I trust that You are building something eternal—not only in what I produce, but in who I become.
Lead me back to contentment, confidence, and Kingdom perspective.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Next step: Join an Action Group—CEOs and executive teams practice these muscles together: hearing God, aligning teams, and applying real-time obedience to real business decisions. For CEOs ready to lead free from comparison, this is a timely place to begin.