Comparison

There's a devastating and destructive game we probably play every day. We don't play it because we're adrenalin junkies or thrill-seekers. We probably aren't even aware that we play it. And worse yet, it is a game where nobody wins and everybody loses. This absolutely dreadful game we play is called comparison. Now you may be thinking, "What's so bad about comparison?" or "How can I tell if I'm doing well or being effective if I don't compare myself to others?"

The problem with comparison is that it usually travels down one of two paths. Path one is pride. If we compare ourselves favorably to others, all of a sudden we look pretty good compared to all those flawed people around us. Mercy and grace toward others becomes more elusive. Humility doesn't even enter our landscape. We may even begin to think we don't need God as much as these poor inferior people around us do.

Path two is self-induced inferiority. If we compare ourselves to others and we don't like the results, we become self-defeating. We begin to believe the lies of the enemy that we aren't important, we aren't valuable, we can't do anything worth noting, what we do doesn't matter and the downward spiral continues.

The only comparison game we need to play is with ourselves. Rather than compare ourselves to others, why not ask, "Am I walking closer to the Lord now than I was last week? Last month? Last year? Romans 12:3 urges us to not think too highly of ourselves, but to use sober judgment according to the faith that God has given us. Romans 12:6 then tells us to use the giftedness that God has given us to serve others. God doesn't want us to compare what we do for the Kingdom to that of another person; He wants us to faithfully serve where we are called and in the way He enabled us. Comparison to others not required.