Break the Curse of Comparison — Two2Grow, June 27
Break the Curse of Comparison — Two2Grow, June 27
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 2 Corinthians 10:12 NIV
I have one older brother, and growing up, I compared everything he got with what I got. When my mom gave us ice cream at home, I put my bowl next to his to check to see if it was exactly equal to his.
Comparison is a normal part of growing up with siblings, but it is also a great temptation in the family of God, the church. We compare our walk with God to that of others, we compare the blessings God has given us with those of others, and so on.
The devil is happy when he gets us to compare our lives with others. Why? Because the outcomes fit his agenda perfectly.
Think about it. When I, for example, measure my walk with God against another person, I will either feel discouraged because they have a much deeper relationship with God than I do, or I will feel proud because I sense that I have gone further with God than they have.
If my brother or sister is blessed beyond what I am, comparison easily makes me envious. But when I feel that I’m more favored by God, I am tempted to judge and look down on them.
Discouragement or pride, envy or judgment, are all among the enemy’s favorite tools to keep us from running the race of faith. This is why, in today’s text, we are warned that it is unwise to measure ourselves against others.
So what are we to do to break the curse of comparison? The answer is to measure yourself against Jesus and His calling for your life. Are you growing in likeness to Him? Are you living in His will for your life? Pursuing Jesus and His assignment for your life, while refusing to compare yourself with others, leads to true freedom—that is the life of wisdom.
Father, forgive me when I fall for the temptation to compare myself with others. Help me to look to Jesus alone and protect my heart from pride and discouragement, envy and judgment.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD
I have one older brother, and growing up, I compared everything he got with what I got. When my mom gave us ice cream at home, I put my bowl next to his to check to see if it was exactly equal to his.
Comparison is a normal part of growing up with siblings, but it is also a great temptation in the family of God, the church. We compare our walk with God to that of others, we compare the blessings God has given us with those of others, and so on.
The devil is happy when he gets us to compare our lives with others. Why? Because the outcomes fit his agenda perfectly.
Think about it. When I, for example, measure my walk with God against another person, I will either feel discouraged because they have a much deeper relationship with God than I do, or I will feel proud because I sense that I have gone further with God than they have.
If my brother or sister is blessed beyond what I am, comparison easily makes me envious. But when I feel that I’m more favored by God, I am tempted to judge and look down on them.
Discouragement or pride, envy or judgment, are all among the enemy’s favorite tools to keep us from running the race of faith. This is why, in today’s text, we are warned that it is unwise to measure ourselves against others.
So what are we to do to break the curse of comparison? The answer is to measure yourself against Jesus and His calling for your life. Are you growing in likeness to Him? Are you living in His will for your life? Pursuing Jesus and His assignment for your life, while refusing to compare yourself with others, leads to true freedom—that is the life of wisdom.
Father, forgive me when I fall for the temptation to compare myself with others. Help me to look to Jesus alone and protect my heart from pride and discouragement, envy and judgment.
Pastor Mikael Stenhammar, PhD