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WEEK TEN BREAKOUT: I'm Better Than You
- Bryce Johnson
- Nov 4, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 10, 2025
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." ― Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
I'm Better Than You
Last week, we discussed envy and jealousy and unpacked how, in Fantasy Football, we can desire another team's roster or wish for specific players on other teams. On the flip side, this week we need to consider how to respond when we have the team everyone else wants.
Some of us can find our way to the top of the standings as we experience a winning season with a strong roster. We're loving Fantasy as we win games, our best players stay healthy, and we pick up some steals from the waiver wire.
When we have a winning record and find ourselves in a better position than our league mates, we start thinking, "I'm Better Than You." We take undue credit for things going our way. We feel pretty good about ourselves and our Fantasy team, and pride and arrogance start to enter in.
We can begin to look down on other Fantasy managers, believing they are inferior to us and that we are dominant in Fantasy. We sit on top of the standings, watching the other "losers," saying, "How could you drop him?" "How could you start him?" "How could you leave him on your bench?" "What were you thinking?" "I would never do that!" (Wow, we think we're great, don't we?!)
The truth is, even if we aren't in first place and as long as we aren't in last place, we can still have the attitude, "I'm Better Than You." Teams that appear to be heading for the playoffs can quickly discredit those other teams that are struggling and having a tough time winning games.
The funny thing is, when we're winning at Fantasy, we start thinking, "I'm Better Than You" as a person and in life. It's absurd to admit this, but we know those thoughts can sneak in. If we're doing well in Fantasy, we believe it somehow points to our greatness as individuals, too!
Of course, we are trying to win in Fantasy Football, and it's fun to be on top and let the rest of the league know how successful our season is, how awesome our draft picks were, and how impressive our trades were. However, ultimately being the best at Fantasy doesn't make us better than anyone, right?!
Instead of being annoying or a jerk by acting like we're better than everyone, let's remain humble and acknowledge how fortunate we are that the players on our roster are scoring Fantasy points and we're experiencing a winning season.
It sounds silly when we're talking about Fantasy Football, but the attitude of "I'm Better Than You" can also infiltrate our lives in more significant ways. If we have more money, a bigger house, smarter kids, or a more prestigious job, we can think we are better than other people.
If we aren't careful, pride and arrogance start to creep in, and we become annoying and a jerk. We begin to take undue credit, become self-absorbed, and view others as inferior to us.
As followers of Jesus, we must stay grounded in a proper view of God and ourselves, rooted in humility and gratitude.
Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3-4 (AMP), "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
The attitude "I’m Better Than You” can go a step further toward self-righteousness when we start to think we have it all together, while everyone else is a broken mess. It’s wonderful when we are growing in our faith, living in obedience, and serving the Lord. However, we have to be careful not to become prideful or arrogant about it. If doing wonderful things for the Lord makes us start believing we're so great while causing us to look down on others, then we’re off base.
We have to humbly remember what God has done for us, our need for a Savior, and that our salvation isn’t based on how amazing we are, but rather on God's amazing grace.
Romans 3:22-24 tells us, (NLT), “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.”
Every one of us is nothing without Jesus, and we desperately need Him and must realize how limited, undeserving, and weak we truly are on our own. So who are we to think we’re better than anyone? By God’s grace and love, He’s allowed us to know Him and follow Him. So let’s not allow self-righteousness and pride to cause us to "sit on top of the standings,” saying, "Look at that sinner down there, he makes horrible decisions, I’m glad I'm better than him.”
Jesus explains this concept in Luke 18:10-14 (NLT): "Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 'Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[a]: "I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income."
'But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, "O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner." I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'”
Let's acknowledge we are sinners in need of God’s grace and mercy. Let's choose humility, no matter what kind of season we’re in, and change our attitude and heart posture to be, “I’m Not Better Than Anyone.” Let's praise God for His blessings, the gifts He's given us, and everything else He's done for us as we echo Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV): ”But by the grace of God I am what I am…”
Heavenly Father, I confess I can often be arrogant and prideful. Please forgive me and help me avoid becoming self-righteous as I serve You and grow in my faith. Teach me to remain humble and fully rely on You. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.
In what ways do you think you're great at Fantasy Football?
Has this season led you to think you're better than other people in your league?
How can Fantasy managers remain less arrogant when they are on top of the standings?
Which of these verses resonates with you the most?
In what ways do you struggle with humility in life?
How do you remind yourself that you aren't better than other people, even when you're experiencing a good season in life?
How have you experienced self-righteousness? Why is it so important to combat?
How do you need to change your perspective toward people who are struggling?
Who are the most humble people you know?
Why is it so much better to choose humility instead of pride and arrogance?
Cincinnati receiver Ja'Marr Chase produced the most Fantasy points in a single game in 2024, putting up 55.4 points against the Baltimore Ravens.
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