In the 1990s, I competed with banks that were violating banking laws to secure more loan customers. Many borrowers were being threatened, or even blackmailed, into doing business with these other banks.

As a competitor, it was frustrating to lose deals because of illegal or immoral practices of other banks. Eventually, bank examiners shut down these banks for unsafe lending practices.

I found it hard not to gloat.

Proverbs 24:17, however, says, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.”

It can be tempting to gloat when one of your competitors stumbles. God, however, desires us to stay focused on our work, not the issues of our competitors.