If we equate the spiritual life to karate, Jesus Christ would be the “Grandmaster” of grandmasters.

Grandmaster and Master are titles used to describe or address some senior or experienced martial artists. Typically, these titles are honorary in nature, meaning that they do not confer rank, but rather distinguish the individual as very highly revered in their school, system, or style.
- Wikipedia.com

As is the case with karate, we believers are called “disciples” of Jesus Christ, our “Grandmaster”. Disciples need to be taught in order to advance. They are to do so with the utmost respect for the one who teaches them, to the glory of their mentor.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
- 2 Peter 3:18

A humble disciple gives credit where credit is due and is forever grateful to their teacher. There is a certain reverence for that person and a definite, lasting sense of indebtedness towards them. In fact, a true disciple wishes to bring glory to their teacher by revealing wisdom not just through speech, but also through action. To bring shame to self is to bring shame to one’s master.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
- Matthew 5:16

At the peak of one’s journey in karate, a disciple becomes a black belt. Right before black belt is brown belt.

Brown Belt: Brown is a representation of the ripening of a seed during the maturing and harvesting process, so a brown belt is awarded to advanced students who are beginning to realize the fruits of their beginner studies and whose techniques have begun to mature.

Black Belt: Black symbolizes the darkness beyond the sun, and a person who has been awarded a black belt seeks to gain a deeper and further understanding of the physical and mental teachings of karate. Many people who are awarded a black belt begin passing on their knowledge to help others advance in their own belt rank.
- New York Martial Arts Academy

Black belts are easy to spot because they are often calm, cool, and collected – confident but not necessarily arrogant. They have a certain air about them that seems to transcend fear and distraction. I suppose the years of discipline have brought them a type of peace through inner reflection. They have nothing to prove so there’s no chip on their shoulder. However, brown belts are often a much different story. In my experience, they seem prone to boasting, arrogance, and looking for opportunities to prove themselves.

I call this the “brown belt phenomenon”, where the person one step below the top rank has a chip on their shoulder, often acting out aggressively to prove their superiority.

Let me give you a few examples where this phenomenon reveals itself besides with karate…

I played a round with a professional golfer recently and he was totally chill, unlike the really good golfers I’ve played with who often can’t shut up about their 300-yard drives or the approach shot they hit to a foot on the last hole. Completely different personalities. You’d think the one with the most to brag about would be the worse of the two, but oddly, that’s hardly ever the case.

How about the pretty girl who shows up to parties half-dressed to attract all the attention to herself – ever met her? Meanwhile, the naturally stunning girl’s hair is up in a bun, she is wearing little to no makeup, and is dressed in a hoodie, chillin’ in the corner with her friends.

How about the Ivy League undergrad whose entire wardrobe is dominated by their alma mater’s crest. Yeah, those are the same folks who manage to let you know where they graduated from within 2 minutes of meeting them. You know how it goes, “Oh yeah, that reminds me of a time when I was doing my undergrad at MIT…” Meanwhile Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard and Elon Musk out of Stanford. With all the times I’ve seen either speak, I’ve never heard them brag about a single accomplishment, and never about where they attended college.

I could go on and on. There’s the oppressive middle manager at work, or the belittling high school teacher enduring a second-choice career, or the second wealthiest person in the neighborhood. You get the point.

Finally, how about the disciple of Christ who’s a “brown belt”? Ever run into one of them? This is someone who’s got a fair amount of training under their belt and has somehow become puffed up about it. Instead of bringing glory to their “Grandmaster”, Jesus Christ, they use their knowledge as a pedestal, looking down their noses at those just starting out in the faith, or even those with lower IQs who may never understand what this “brown belt” does, academically. How does this person compare to the” black belt”? You know, the one who spends their time like Jesus, seeking ways to build up others in the faith. That’s the one whose love for their Lord transcends knowledge into the realm of true wisdom. You know who I’m talking about? They prefer to discuss Jesus rather than espousing their doctrinal prowess. Do you know the difference? I bet you do. Maybe you’re the “brown belt” and God the Holy Spirit just convicted you. Maybe you’re the “black belt” and your instinct is to pray for the arrogant.

The point I’m making is simple. Don’t be a “brown belt” – it’s ugly and it’s disgraceful to God’s family. Keep your focus on bringing glory to God, the One who’s taught you. Calm down. Take a deep breath. You are what you are by the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10). Don’t ruin a good thing.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
- Matthew 6:1

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
- 1 Timothy 6:17-19

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:10

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.
- Hebrews 10:24

Here is the way of the “black belt” Christian:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
- Psalm 1:1-3

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
- James 3:13-18

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins