Stop Comparing Yourself

2 Corinthians 10:12, 17: "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits . . . . Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

Paul's letters to the Church at Corinth were follow-up responses to a church that permitted its pagan culture to infiltrate its walls. This church thought itself to be impressively refined by its appreciation of the finest philosophies of the day. Sadly, this church permitted very debased immorality to permeate it, thereby presenting itself as an entity not noticeably distinct from the immoral world around it. This church also had a bad habit of comparing itself with others. Rather than keeping their eyes on the Lord, these church members would formulate opinions of others; and as might be expected, those whom they evaluated never seemed to measure up to their status and their accomplishments.

So too, the church at Corinth believed Paul not to be a respectable philosopher comparable to the wise men of the day. Paul would fall prey to their comparative habits, and he lost credibility for not measuring up to the impressive displays of other philosophers around them.

In response, Paul warned the church that such patterns of behavior were not wise. He too reminded them that their boasting ultimately should be in the Lord, not in their perceived accomplishments relative to what others were doing.

This is such a good word for us. How often do we fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others? How often do we find ourselves smugly prideful because we are able to do things better than others? How often do we shun those who don't measure up to our expectations that are vainly formulated? When we do such things, we reveal our sinister nature of self-centeredness. The Scriptures tell us that such behavior is not wise, for our eyes are upon ourselves rather than upon God.

Paul demonstrates Godliness even in the way that he dealt with this church. Paul loved these people, and he did not shun them because they were not impressed with him. Paul approached them in a spirit of meekness and gentleness (2 Corinthians 10:1). Let us find ourselves with the same disposition of love, for this is the way in which God truly is glorified in and through us.