The Dangers of Comparison

The Dangers of Comparison


Real offense can arise in people when they compare themselves to others, so it would be profitable to study the dangers of comparison.



Second Corinthians 10:12 says, "We dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."



The apostle Paul warned us here that comparing ourselves with others would always get us into trouble. Have you ever wondered why Paul said that comparison was unwise? The reason is that comparison is a type of pride. When you compare yourself to someone else, in essence, you are trying to find flaws or imperfections in the other person in order to feel superior to them-that is pride. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."



When people make statements like, "Our church is the best church in town," it is nothing more than comparison and competition. What makes people think one church has to be better than another anyway? Why do people claim that one preacher is any better than another preacher? The apostle Peter said in Acts 10:34, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality." One person is not better than another-they simply have different callings and when they fulfill their individual calling, it is expressed differently from anyone else.



The Word explicitly warns us not to compare ourselves with others, yet the body of Christ is full of comparison and competition. Why would any Christian compete with another when God has offered the same promise to "whosoever"? Most often it's due to the fact that the one comparing and competing doesn't really believe that God will fulfill His promises for them. Perhaps they feel that God has abundantly blessed other people because He loves them more. But the truth is that God has more than enough to fulfill His promises for everyone!



You can have everything that God has promised in His Word. He has plenty, and just because He blesses another person with what you need, or desire, doesn't mean there isn't plenty more for you! He is El Shaddai, God Almighty, the source of all blessing.



You can drive out comparison and competition by becoming happy with what God has already given you. According to James 1:17, "Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." Who does God reserve these good and perfect gifts for? The gifts that James describes are for anyone who will believe and receive them-including you and me!



John 10:10 says, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." This verse is directed to believers. Accept what God has for you because everything He offers is good-He provides health, prosperity, favor, protection, and greater things than you can even imagine.



Paul expresses it this way: "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Eph. 3:20). God has things planned for you that are greater than you can ask or think. Begin to stretch your imagination today and don't allow anything, such as offense or unforgiveness, to hold you back!