Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

Galatians 6:4: "Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else . . ."



The letter to the Galatians was written by Paul to address the attempts by certain Judaizers to pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Galatians 1:7). Apparently, these Judaizers had infiltrated the Galatian church, and they had begun a campaign to convince the Galatian Christians that the church had to subscribe to the Jewish/Mosaic religious rites to be granted God's favor. God's grace through His death and resurrection no longer was sufficient for members of the Galatian Church; now, fulfillment of certain religious mandates was needed to receive the spiritual blessings of a "Christian."



In his responsive letter, Paul scolds the Galatians for being foolish, asking them "who has bewitched you? . . . For if righteousness could be gained through the law (and your obedience to it) Christ died for nothing" (2:21-3:1).



When one begins to investigate the reasons why the Judaizers would propagate such obedience the religious laws, one implicitly can see that the propagation of "self" was the overarching driver. After all, if a person could better perform the expected rites/rituals than his neighbor, then he could expect to gain the respect and honor from his peers as a spiritual elite. The Judaizers seemed to have that prideful disposition, for Paul warned the Galatians that these people wanted converts to be "zealous for them" (i.e. to control the Galatians and thus boost their positions of power and privilege [Gal. 4:17]). Paul encouraged the church to stand firm, not letting the yoke of performance-based spirituality enslave them again (5:1).



What is rather fascinating in the latter chapters of the book of Galatians is Paul's comments concerning the true reasons for the Judaizer's interjection of the law. Specifically, Paul sees that the egocentric indulgence in the desires of the sinful nature (i.e. the consuming desire for self) is the source which fuels such behavior (5:16-17). Paul then encourages introspection on the part of his hearers to see whether they are filled with the desire for self-adulation or are surrendered as a true slave to God. The apostle charges the members of the Galatian church to test themselves to see what drives them spiritually, and he suggests that any pride that they may have should be in God's saving grace. Paul discourages any comparisons with others to see who may be more spiritual, for that mentality only breeds competitive spirituality; in the end one person invariably attempts to perform more impressively than his neighbor. Ultimately, focus is drawn away from Christ and upon the individual. This is the most debased form of idolatry.



In our churches today, may we stop comparing ourselves with others, for this mindset breeds envy, competitiveness, and strife. Instead, may we find our identity in Christ's saving grace alone, and live lives of humility, appreciation, contentment, and love toward others. Rather than trying to impress others with our spiritual achievements, may we "carry each other's burdens and in this way fulfill the (true) law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Let us express our thanks to God by being an agent of blessing to others, lifting them up in a spirit of love (6:10), and let us never boast in ourselves, but as Paul has so eloquently said, "may (we) boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, (through which) we have crucified ourselves to the world and the world to us" (6:14). When we adopt an attitude of surrender to the One True God, our quest for fame and fortune will be killed (crucified) to the will of the Lord, and we in turn will experience the true "peace and mercy of God" (6:16).



God 's Word summarizes this concept for us very well: "The only thing that counts is faith (i.e. complete commitment to God) expressing itself through love." You're not "number 1." You're not to be consumed with yourself. You're not to compare yourself with others. You're to find yourself hidden within the shadow of the Almighty.