COMPARISON is the THIEF….of JOY!
COMPARISON….WHY do we “CHRISTIANS” do it? YES….even more so now with Social Media…ARGH! WHY do we compare ourselves amongst ourselves? If you say you don’t ever do this….REALLY? Are you a normal human? We ALL do this at times. The tragedy of this, is that we are ALL in a different place and stage in our life than someone else, so we end up comparing our humble beginning to someone else’s spotlight ending! THIS is not wise and causes our JOY for even what we have accomplished thus far in our life…to be dulled by someone else’s “shiny” ending!
I still see at political or social events, those that I call “social climbers” pushing their way through the crowd so they can hang on to the arm of a famous politician or entertainment or ministry celebrity just to get a “photo op” with them. Social climbers obviously feel deep down inside that they are not good enough to “stand alone”…so they seek to gain their affirmation or value by uniting with people they have already compared themselves with as being “higher” in status than they are. We know this a wrong perception of self in thinking that someone is “better” than you because we are all equal in God’s eyes. Their interaction becomes strictly “SELF” motivated…to USE people to GAIN more “social status” or popularity…or in social media circles…to gain more “FOLLOWERS”. WHY do we USE PEOPLE to step over …to get to what we consider or perceive to be…the coveted top spot? We chase after what the “WORLD” defines as “success”…verses what GOD says our success should look like.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
God says that we are to be transformed from this worldly thinking and to have our thinking renewed to live a holy acceptable life unto God. God even went so far and flipped the script and said the last will be first, and the first will be last.
What is the definition of a Social Climber…
social climber(n.) Similar to an “attention hound “, but a social climber is anyone that becomes friends with someone else if they have something that they want, which we all know involves people. They become ‘friends’ with people who “know people”. In turn, they become (or attempt to become) ‘friends’ with that first person’s more “popular” friends, leaving the first person behind. Repeats this cycle to “get to the top”, in their own mind, until they realize they are shallow and unable to like people for who they really are. Inevitably, they will be forced to “mature” beyond this.
In social media groups now…I see where we honor one who has “MORE” followers…as something to be desired by “SOCIAL MEDIA CLIMBERS”. So they step on the backs of the ones that have already achieved what they think is their “SUCCESS GOAL” in life…money, status, fame, or fortune…so they can acquire the same for their SELF! This happens in CHRISTIAN Social Media Groups…ALL….DAY…LONG! It is all about promotion of SELF!!
So my QUESTION to ALL who do this…IS THIS BEHAVIOR PLEASING to GOD?? Does he want us to obtain our worth and value from a MAN ….or MONEY….or SOCIAL STATUS….TITLE….FAME….FORTUNE….over who HE created us to be? Simply a SON or DAUGHTER of a KING?
So I want to dig a little deeper…of course and see what the Bible says about it.
One of the fastest ways of discouraging yourself and getting trapped by the sin of envy is when you compare yourself to others. God has a specific plan for you and you won’t accomplish that plan by looking at others.
We see in the following verses where Jesus had to set his own disciples straight and correct their “comparison” thinking…
John 21:20-22 20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?21 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
His words paraphrased was: “WORRY ABOUT YOUR OWN WALK! FOLLOW ME”. Jesus reminds us that our FOCUS needs to not be on those men around us…but on HIM!
We need to remind ourselves to count our blessings and not the blessings of someone else. Let God control our life and give Satan no opportunity to discourage us from the purpose God has for us as individuals. Know that all you need is Christ. Set your mind at peace by focusing on the Lord.
What does the Bible say about Comparison?
Galatians 6:4-5 Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. Assume your own responsibility.
2 Corinthians 10:12 We wouldn’t put ourselves in the same class with or compare ourselves to those who are bold enough to make their own recommendations.
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 And that ye study to be quiet, and do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
I believe that COMPARISON will LEAD to COMPETITIVENESS.
What does the Bible say about Competitiveness?
Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Galatians 6: 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Phillipians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
I believe that COMPETITIVENESS will eventually BREED ENVY which brings STRIFE or DIVISION
What does the Bible say about Envy?
James 3:14-16 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
COMPARISON CREATES COMPETITIVENESS, which does NOT CREATE CONTENTMENT …but BREEDS jealousy, ENVY, strife and division, which leads to MURMURING or COMPLAINING.
We all know that being a murmurer or complainer is NOT who we want to be…look what happened in the old testament in Numbers 14:2-11, 12…YIKES!
SO as I study what the Bible says about these really “CARNAL” attitudes and agenda’s or motives, it provokes me to do some introspection in my own heart and pray that I am continuing to allow the Holy Spirit to remove these “WORLDLY” and carnal agenda’s, attitudes and mindsets from me.
WE are to follow JESUS’s example and walk in LOVE and HUMILITY towards each other, and to model our life after what HIS WORD says and NOT what the WORLDLY CULTURE or definition of success says. We are not to prefer one over another…no respecter of persons. We are not to have a pious and haughty heart.
Here are some important POINTS for us to remember FROM THE BIBLE:
Set apart from the world.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
We don’t live to win the approval of people.
Philippians 2:3 Don’t act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves.
Galatians 1:10 Am I saying this now to win the approval of people or God? Am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven
Isaiah 2:22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of? (STILL JUST A MAN)!
SURRENDER to GOD ALL of YOU
Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Be CONTENT with what God has given you NOW
1 Timothy 6:6-8 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
Practice an attitude of GRATITUDE
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
Psalm 136:1-2 Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his mercy endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods because his mercy endures forever.
Compare yourself to Christ instead so you can be more like Him.
2 Corinthians 10:17 As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
TRUST GOD has a PURPOSE for YOU and YOU ONLY
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 138:8 The LORD will work out his plans for my life–for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.
THINK ON GOOD THINGS – No “negative nellies”
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Reminders to US ALL:
Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Galatians 1:15-16 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So today I encourage all of us that we RECEIVE WHO GOD says we are in HIS WORD and NOT to allow comparison to creep in…it just causes us to be distracted from walking in the TRUE PURPOSE and IDENTITY with who our LORD created us to be….don’t let comparison steal your joy!
Quote Take Away:
Theodore Roosevelt – “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
