“Each
one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves
alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, …” Galatians 6:4
How do we know if we are doing right or
wrong? What standard are we using to
make that judgment? Too many people
compare themselves to their neighbor, their classmate or their co-worker to
determine how they are doing as a person.
They admit they aren’t perfect, but are certainly better than this
person or that person. I believe all
created beings can be guilty of this.
We want to believe the best about ourselves so we find people we are
decided worse than we are in character and behavior and quickly point out how
much better we are then those individuals.
But how can we say that when we know nothing about their personal lives
and the struggles they may be going through?
To compare ourselves to another created being is wrong thinking. God won’t be stacking your behavior up
against Joe Bag-a-donuts down the street on the last day. He will look upon
your behavior as it lines up with the standard He has laid out in His word.
The pride spoken of isn’t the haughty,
arrogant type, but rather having a healthy pride in your godly
accomplishments. Having personal pride
in yourself while keeping a humble spirit is a good thing and a characteristic
that believers should seek. Look at your
own actions. How do they line up with
the word of God? Don’t concern yourself
with what others say about you. We are
to please God in all we think, say and do, not man.
We all want to be liked by others. We
all also have the tendency to want to fit in with our surroundings. It’s our human nature to be like that. God is asking you to stand apart from the
crowd even while you are in the midst of it. We are the same in many aspects,
yet are very different at the same time, therefore, be light where you are and compare
yourself to no one but God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a
blessing!
