Philippians 2:3 ... Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but
in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Exhortation: Joan Boney ... apostle/prophet
The nature of man, the way of the flesh, is to try to rise above other people.
In the years I played bridge, everyone was striving to beat everyone else.
I often sat at the bridge table and tried to picture Jesus and Paul playing bridge. I just couldn't see them trying to beat people. They served God the Father, not their own flesh.
When we serve our flesh we will try to outdo everyone else. Some people do this with physical appearance. Some with achievements. But it is the nature of man to do this and those led by the flesh will work toward doing this one way or another.
The way of God is opposite. We keep the flesh crucified, purposing to serve God rather than ourselves. When the flesh starts to rise up and we feel it rising up, we call out to God for help and HE helps us.
And if the flesh takes over, we repent when we regain our minds, and HE restores us.
We cannot go in the way of God and in the way of the flesh for they are enemies against one another and the ways are opposite.