February 18, 2026
Daily Devotional:
“The Art of Outdoing”
Romans 12:10
"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Nowadays, most of us are naturally competitive. We want the faster car, the higher salary, or the last word in an argument. We are taught from a young age to"get ahead." But in this letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul suggests a radical shift in where we direct that competitive energy.
He uses powerful concepts in this verse alone about family devotion and competitive honor.
The contextual word used for "devoted" specifically refers to the biological bond between family members. Paul isn't just asking for politeness; he’s calling for the kind of fierce, protective loyalty you have for a familymember. The church or a community of believers should treat one another like blood relatives. It implies a level of loyalty, protection, and commitment that goes beyond a casual friendship. You don't "quit" your familywhen things get annoying, rather you stay devoted.
When Paul says to "honor one another above yourselves," he’s essentially saying to try to outdo each other in showing respect. The phrase for "honor" here suggests more than just a polite nod. It means to leadthe way or outdo others in showing respect. This is a call to a "reverse competition." Instead of competing for status, attention, or the "best seat at the table," Paul challenges us to compete to see who can be more encouraging. It means looking for the value in others that they might not even see in themselves. It means stepping back so someone else can shine.
Imagine a world where we were all "competing" to see who could be more encouraging, more helpful, or more gracious. This isn't about being a doormat; it’s about being a door-opener. It’s about looking at the person next to you in the pew and deciding that their dignity and needs are worth more than your ego.
The challenge today is to look for one stealth opportunity to put someone else first. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. But it can be a call to radicalhumility. It’s the art of taking the spotlight you’re holding and shining it on your brethren.
