Comparing Ourselves with Others

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.  (2Co 10:12)

Three Dangers of Comparing Ourselves with Others

Pride – Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one’s own superiority

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican…. every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  (Luke 18:9-14)

Jealousy – fear that another does or will enjoy some advantage which we desire for ourselves, or Envy – to fret or grieve one’s self at the real or supposed superiority of another, and to hate him on that account.

Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven….He must increase, but I must decrease.  (Joh 3:25-30)

Discouragement – The act of disheartening, or depriving of courage; the act of deterring or dissuading from an undertaking; the act of depressing confidence, or Fear – A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger.

And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.  (Num 13:30-33)

We should not compare ourselves with others.  According to Scripture it is unwise to commend or condemn ourselves based upon comparison with others.

We should take measure of ourselves only according to God’s Word (are we living according to the light of the truth we have) and by the leading of His Spirit (are we doing what God has asked to do).

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.  (2Co 10:17-18)