WHO ARE YOU COMPARING YOURSELF TO?

Galatians 6:4 New Living Translation

“Pay 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.”        

       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 those we feel have worse character and/or 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. When God’s judgment comes He won’t be stacking your behavior up against someone down the street. He will look upon your behavior as it lines up with the standard He has laid out in His word.

       The satisfaction spoken of isn’t the haughty, arrogant type, but rather having a healthy sense of satisfaction 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 us to stand apart from the crowd even while we are in the midst of it. We are the same as those in the world 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!

Resource:  The Life Application Study Bible; Published by Tyndale House.