”For we do not presume to rank or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they have no understanding.“ 2 Corinthians 10:12
One of the most dangerous things we can do in our Christian walk, or any area of our lives, is comparing ourselves to that of others.
Our eyes can be very deceiving. The culture of this world tells us that if we are not seeing results, we are not doing enough. But our faith says that the Lord and His Spirit work in us. And this work will only happen to the degree that we submit to the Spirit’s work in our lives.
One of the challenges we face, which was not uncommon in the days of the Lord, is our tendency to want to see it before we believe it. But this does not allow any room for faith.
‘Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. For by it the people of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the world has been created by the word of God so that what is seen has not been made out of things that are visible. ‘ Hebrews 11:1-3
When we operate with our minds comparing ourselves to others, we stifle the growth that the Lord wants us to experience in two ways:
One – When we elevate ourselves compared to another, we put the brakes on our growth.
Two – When we look at ourselves as less than another based on where they are, we throw our hands up in the air, thinking we can never get there and never start to grow.
Either way, we don’t grow.
There is only one place that we should be comparing ourselves to: the perfect standard set forth by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It should be our goal to be growing more like Jesus every day. And here is the promise:
‘For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus. ‘ Philippians 1:6
What standard is it that we should look to the Lord for? Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, and this was His answer:
‘Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” ‘ Mark 12:29-31
The NLT version renders the verse this way:
‘Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”’ Mark 12:29-31
“The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
When we start comparing our lives to those around us, nothing is loving in this at all. We are called to do exactly the opposite as a Christian.
‘Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ Philippians 2:3-11
When we look at the example that Jesus provided us, He gave up His divine privilege to set us free, dying a criminal’s death for us; He died the death that was ours to reconcile us with God.
As a believer, as with every other believer in Jesus, when God looks down at us, all He sees is His Son, regardless of our current level of spiritual growth.
I’ve been in many meetings with Godly brothers and sisters in Christ, and we often lament how bad things are with the current state of the “church.” As I reflect on that with this writing, I think we have no one to blame for this but ourselves.
I heard this phrase for the first time this past weekend, “church hurt.” These words are about those who have been hurt in a “church” environment. This can only happen when one person elevates themselves over another. But when we live out the words of the Bible, “Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” This doesn’t leave a lot of room for “church hurt.”
‘For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. ‘ 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11
The one thing we need to remember through all of this is that we are not God. We do not know what is going on in the heart of another. Everyone is growing at a pace that God sets. We are out of bounds when we insert ourselves into the equation, thinking that we can bring it about a little quicker.
Let these verses be our marching orders:
‘The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.’ 2 Timothy 2:24-26
In the end, the difference that God makes in the other person’s life makes all the difference; sometimes, we need to get ourselves out of the way.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word. Please let me see others as You do with compassion and patience.
I pray that You shape my heart daily to be more like Jesus.
I pray for those that I may have hurt with my actions. I pray that You give me the courage to seek forgiveness where You see it will help. I know that You can make all things right.
I pray that You help me to look at others with soft eyes and give me the ability to respond to the prompting of Your Spirit to help those around me.
In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray, Amen!! 🙏❤️
