“But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12).
From time to time, we all fall into the comparison trap—comparing our family, job, personality, or possessions to someone else’s. Social media makes it worse, feeding us carefully edited versions of other people’s lives that may look flawless but rarely reflect reality. The danger is that we start measuring our success by their success and our happiness by their happiness. The apostle Paul warns us that this is foolish and unwise.
There’s only one standard for the Christian life: Jesus Christ. Yet, we often resist comparing ourselves to Him because we know we fall short. So, instead, we compare ourselves with each other. Sometimes we even compare ourselves to the shortcomings of others just to feel better about ourselves. But this is a cheap substitute for the life we’re promised in Christ—a life of freedom, joy, and security found in Him alone.
Comparison takes our focus off Jesus and creates a false standard for happiness. It breeds insecurity, envy, and jealousy. It divides relationships, and tempts us to tear others down. Ultimately, it distracts us from our true calling and shifts our concern from what God knows to what other people think.
That’s why Scripture tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). When we look to Him we find both humility and hope. Humility, because we recognize how far we fall short. Hope, because we’re reminded that our identity is in Him, not in what we have or do. In Christ, we are accepted, loved, and secure—not because of what we achieve, but because of what He has already done.
Have you fallen into the comparison trap lately? Ask yourself, “Why?” Is the enemy playing on an area of insecurity? Have you begun to find your identity in something other than Jesus? Take an honest inventory of what’s developed in your heart as a result, and confess those things to God.
Today, determine to take your eyes off of others and fix them back on Christ. That’s the only way to be free from the foolishness of comparison and to live with the joy and confidence that come from Him alone.
