2 Corinthians 10:12b When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
Comparison stems from a lack of understanding of purpose and uniqueness.
According to the scripture above, comparing oneself with others is not wisdom. The reason why the Bible says comparison by and with ourselves is unwise is the standard we are measuring by.
We are all not uniform because we have different upbringing, experiences, and different abilities as well as unique assignments in life.
So how do we compare people who don’t have the same resources using a particular standard?
The comparison results are going to be defective because all things are not being equal. It was comparison that caused Satan to be cast down from heaven. As a result of not being content with his uniqueness and his desire to be God, he lost what he could have become.
When we focus on what’s happening with others, we miss out on our own journey. In Genesis 1:26, God said: “Let us make man in our own image and likeness... ” And then when the devil came to the woman in Genesis 3:5, he said: “God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
It was at that moment that the apple looked appealing and she took it. When she heard; You will be like God, that was it. This is what Eve didn’t know: That she was already like God because she was created in the likeness of God! It is the height of ignorance to want to be like someone because you feel you’re inadequate. It’s because you have no idea of what you carry. If you knew, you’d value yourself.
We are always wishing to be like someone without knowing what they go through. God has deposited inside each of us what we need to become who he wants us to be. So if I want to be like someone and I’m comparing myself to them, I don’t have what is needed to become exactly them, inside of me.
Sometimes, comparison causes us to even spend money we shouldn’t, just because we must prove a point. We want to look the way others are looking and have what they have, forgetting totally about our journey. Do you know why you are you? If you understand why you were created male or female, why you were born in a particular country, why your parents are who they are, you will see that in spite of the negatives, it is good that all of those are so.
There would be no need to compare because you are unique in your own way and there is noone who is exactly like you. That is special. Wisdom is evident when you know who you are and quit making comparisons.
The truth is that no one has a perfect life. All those you admire have issues and if you look down on yourself because someone else is having a good time in their lives, you don’t even have the enthusiasm to work on becoming a better version of yourself.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying don’t look up to people or don’t get mentors. Learn from people but be yourself at the end of the day.
Romans 12:3 says: For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Comparison is in two forms. You’re either thinking you’re better than someone or less important than another. There’s a level of faith we must have in ourselves. Confidence is faith in oneself. If it goes above the level, it’s pride. If it’s below, it’s low self-worth.
The Word In Clarity 