Day 23
Do Not Fall Into the Comparison Trap
“Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.” – Proverbs 23:17
Our current American culture promotes comparisons.
Many of us peruse our friends’ social media posts and then compare our lives with that of others. How does my life stack up to that of my friends?
God warns against such comparisons.
In Galatians 1:10, Paul writes: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
This verse implies that we cannot focus on pleasing man (or comparing ourselves to other men and women) and serve Christ as the same time.
Proverbs 23: 17 indicates that we cannot fear the Lord and envy sinners simultaneously.
When we compare ourselves with others, we fall into one of two mindsets – pride or envy. We are either prideful (thinking that we are better than those with whom we compare); or, we are envious and desire what we see in the lives of others.
We should strive for the approval of God.
Many of us peruse our friends’ social media posts and then compare our lives with that of others. How does my life stack up to that of my friends?
God warns against such comparisons.
In Galatians 1:10, Paul writes: “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
This verse implies that we cannot focus on pleasing man (or comparing ourselves to other men and women) and serve Christ as the same time.
Proverbs 23: 17 indicates that we cannot fear the Lord and envy sinners simultaneously.
When we compare ourselves with others, we fall into one of two mindsets – pride or envy. We are either prideful (thinking that we are better than those with whom we compare); or, we are envious and desire what we see in the lives of others.
We should strive for the approval of God.
Pray: Lord, forgive me when I fall into the comparison trap. Help me to see that comparing myself to others is not what You desire for me. Help me instead to choose only to compare myself to Christ, which will ultimately reveal the areas where I fall short.
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