Question 1

To whom or what should I compare myself?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 15:49Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man [the Lord Jesus].2 Corinthians 3:18So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.1 Peter 1:15-16Now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”1 John 3:2Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.Compare yourself only to the standards to which God calls all his people. Are you measuring up to the kind of life God wants you to live? Are you moving toward the kind of faith and obedience God calls you to have? It’s not about you and others; it’s about you and God.2 Corinthians 10:12Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!Never compare yourself to someone else. If you think you’re better than someone, it will only lead to pride and selfishness. If you think you are worse than someone, it will lead to jealousy and discouragement. Neither option is healthy.Psalm 119:5-6Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.2 Corinthians 10:13We will not boast about things done outside our area of authority. We will boast only about what has happened within the boundaries of the work God has given us, which includes our working with you.Compare yourself only to God’s commands, his way, and his particular call on your life. You will often find yourself falling short—because being godly is difficult—but if you’re constantly seeking to obey and follow God’s guidance for your life, God is pleased.

Question 2

What kinds of comparisons should I avoid?

Accepted Answer

Numbers 16:3They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?”1 Samuel 8:20“We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will judge us and lead us into battle.”1 Corinthians 3:4-9When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. . . . For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field.James 2:1-4My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?Comparing what you have with what others have is dangerous because it may cause you to miss enjoying what God has already given you and to strive for the wrong priorities in life.1 Samuel 18:7-9This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.2 Corinthians 10:12They are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!Avoid comparing your accomplishments to someone else’s because it can lead to jealousy, anger, and even violence. Saul’s jealousy so consumed him that he tried to kill David. Such foolish comparison usually leads only to sinful thoughts and attitudes.John 21:21-22Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”Avoid comparing your life situation to that of someone else; don’t risk taking your focus off of Jesus. He has a plan for you—different from the plans he has for others. Your responsibility is to do what he calls you to do and not compare that with what he calls anyone else to do.Luke 18:11-14“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”Attempting to compare the condition of your heart to that of someone else can lead to false righteousness, thinking you are better than others, and pride. On the flip side, thinking you are far worse than others can lead to deep shame, discouragement, and despair. God knows the real condition of your heart and he loves you as you are. Keep focused on him and you won’t have a need to compare.1 Corinthians 12:14-27Yes, the body has many different parts, . . . and God has put each part just where he wants it. . . . The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.” In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. . . . If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.If you were asked to get rid of one part of your body, it would be difficult to choose. The left leg? The right arm? Your nose? Eye? Thumb? Some parts are more attractive than others, but they are all important to help you live and function as effectively as possible. In the same way, God created every person with a specific function in mind, a definite role to serve in his kingdom. Comparisons only serve to trivialize someone’s function. When you build others up and seek unity, it enhances everyone’s function in the body of Christ.

Question 3

Instead of comparing myself to others, what should I do?

Accepted Answer

Romans 14:10, 12So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. . . . Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.Instead of comparing yourself to others, remember that God judges us all by his own standards. He does not judge you in comparison to what others have accomplished, but in comparison to his standards of love and right living. He does the same thing with others, which means you have no right to compare yourself with them or sit in judgment on them. Instead, set God and his commandments as your standards of comparison and work to obey and serve him.2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.Galatians 6:4-5Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.Instead of comparing yourself to others, honestly examine your own faith and actions. Where is your heart with God? Are you living by Jesus’s words? Are you finding satisfaction in doing your work well? If not, comparisons won’t help; instead, talk to God and seek to get back on track with him.Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.An attitude that sincerely rejoices with others in their successes and identifies with them in their losses will naturally undercut the envious kind of comparison that wishes their success was yours.

Question 4

When are comparisons appropriate or beneficial?

Accepted Answer

Romans 8:18What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.Philippians 3:8Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain ChristComparisons are appropriate when they guide you to better understanding of God’s perspectives and priorities.2 Chronicles 30:7-8“Do not be like your ancestors and relatives who abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and became an object of derision, as you yourselves can see. Do not be stubborn, as they were, but submit yourselves to the Lord.”Psalm 78:8Then they will not be like their ancestors—stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful, refusing to give their hearts to God.Matthew 6:5-8, 32“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! . . . These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.”1 John 3:12We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.Comparisons are beneficial when they help you learn from others’ mistakes and avoid making them; they can help you in learning and understanding how God wants you to live2 Corinthians 8:7-8Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches.Comparisons can be beneficial if they encourage you to excel in ministry.

Question 5

How can leaders refuse the temptation to compare?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 3:4-8When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world? After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. . . . The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.Leaders are freed from the need to compare by accepting and celebrating their particular calling from God. They realize that no one can do it all, and that God has given them a privilege of being part of his work, while others have their own parts to play.Romans 14:10, 12So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. . . . Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.God looks at each person individually. The leader of each church or organization will give his or her own account to God. Leaders should focus on their own organizations, do their best to be godly leaders, and refuse to compare themselves with others. Comparison can be good for leaders if it means they learn from one another and become better and more efficient at what they do, but they must not compare in ways that lead to negativity.2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.Leaders can resist the urge to compare when they truly focus on their own faith, their own path, and their own obedience to Jesus Christ to be sure they are acting and living genuinely.Galatians 6:4-5Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.Leaders can resist the urge to compare by focusing on their work and doing it well. When they do that, they need not compare themselves to anyone else.Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.Leaders can resist comparing themselves with other leaders or their organizations with other organizations when they are willing to rejoice with those who succeed and help carry the burdens of those who suffer.