Beware: Don't Compare!
Recently conversations have revealed how often people compare themselves with others thereby drawing conclusions that only do harm. Three texts come to mind as I think about this comparison instinct.
One is Luke 18:11, 12 where Jesus takes on our favorable comparisons of self up against others with pretty strong words. Another is 2 Corinthians 10:12, where Paul says that those who are always making such comparisons lack understanding. When I compare myself favorably to others I'm most often guilty of self-delusion and self-righteousness; sins not to be taken lightly.
But at the moment the kind of comparing I'm concerned about is when people compare themselves unfavorably to others. This leads often to self-pity or guilt or shame or paralysis. That's what happens when I think that I just don't measure up to others in the church. This kind of comparing, while it appears humble, often leads to discouragment which in turn leads to unbelief which can in turn give birth to spiritual laziness and apathy. "Hey, I don't measure up to him or her and never will, so why even bother trying?"
Paul addresses this kind of spiritually dangerous comparison in 1 Corinthians 12:14-20. Brothers and sisters: don't compare your gifts unfavorably to those of others or negatively judge where you are at spiritually in contrast to them. This leads either to self-defeating discouragement or to self-pitying laziness.
Every believer's journey is different. Every one of us is in a different stage of faith. Comparisons simply don't work because we can't take into account all the things God is doing behind the scenes and under the surface. People are never doing exactly as they seem. It may seem strange to say, but they are always doing better and worse than they appear. Keep in mind that most often they don't even have a good read on how they're doing! So stay away from unfavorable comparisons of yourself to them; such can lead only to harm.
There is one comparison worth making: compare yourself today to yourself six months ago. That's an evaluation that reaps benefits. Can you see progress? Can you see growth? Can you see a greater energy or joy in the gospel today than you had months ago?
This kind of comparison can produce great good. It'll produce either a sober awareness that you've fallen from where you once were (see Revelation 2:4) which can lead to repentance and restoration. And it can also lead to a joyful awareness that you are not the person you once were! Grace is changing you for the better!
In any and every case let us always remember that God sees us, not as we are or as we once were or even as we're going to be. And He certainly does not see us as we are as compared to others. He sees us first in the spotless and unchanging righteousness of Christ. He sees us as perfect in His sight because we are in the One who is perfect in His sight. And while lots of other things change for the better or for the worse, that One never does!
Keep the focus friends.
One is Luke 18:11, 12 where Jesus takes on our favorable comparisons of self up against others with pretty strong words. Another is 2 Corinthians 10:12, where Paul says that those who are always making such comparisons lack understanding. When I compare myself favorably to others I'm most often guilty of self-delusion and self-righteousness; sins not to be taken lightly.
But at the moment the kind of comparing I'm concerned about is when people compare themselves unfavorably to others. This leads often to self-pity or guilt or shame or paralysis. That's what happens when I think that I just don't measure up to others in the church. This kind of comparing, while it appears humble, often leads to discouragment which in turn leads to unbelief which can in turn give birth to spiritual laziness and apathy. "Hey, I don't measure up to him or her and never will, so why even bother trying?"
Paul addresses this kind of spiritually dangerous comparison in 1 Corinthians 12:14-20. Brothers and sisters: don't compare your gifts unfavorably to those of others or negatively judge where you are at spiritually in contrast to them. This leads either to self-defeating discouragement or to self-pitying laziness.
Every believer's journey is different. Every one of us is in a different stage of faith. Comparisons simply don't work because we can't take into account all the things God is doing behind the scenes and under the surface. People are never doing exactly as they seem. It may seem strange to say, but they are always doing better and worse than they appear. Keep in mind that most often they don't even have a good read on how they're doing! So stay away from unfavorable comparisons of yourself to them; such can lead only to harm.
There is one comparison worth making: compare yourself today to yourself six months ago. That's an evaluation that reaps benefits. Can you see progress? Can you see growth? Can you see a greater energy or joy in the gospel today than you had months ago?
This kind of comparison can produce great good. It'll produce either a sober awareness that you've fallen from where you once were (see Revelation 2:4) which can lead to repentance and restoration. And it can also lead to a joyful awareness that you are not the person you once were! Grace is changing you for the better!
In any and every case let us always remember that God sees us, not as we are or as we once were or even as we're going to be. And He certainly does not see us as we are as compared to others. He sees us first in the spotless and unchanging righteousness of Christ. He sees us as perfect in His sight because we are in the One who is perfect in His sight. And while lots of other things change for the better or for the worse, that One never does!
Keep the focus friends.
Labels: christian life
posted by Tim Shorey at
3:03 PM
2 Comments:
Good word, dad. That six month comparison can bring about a world of benefit. Thanks for the reminder.
I am a work of God's grace in progress!!!
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