January 29, 2007
The Right Comparison
READ: 2 Corinthians 10:12-18
Comparing themselves among themselves, [they] are not wise. —2 Corinthians 10:12
When I was working my way through school, I washed walls and windows in people’s homes. At one new job, a 4-foot-tall man greeted me at the door. He told me he had to hire someone to clean his windows because they were too high for him to reach. Although I’m only 5' 7", in his home I felt like a giant. In God’s eyes, of course, our physical stature means nothing.
Some people in the church mistakenly think of themselves as spiritual giants. These “big fish in a small pond” may feel they are superior because of their position. Of this misguided self-promotion, Paul wrote, “Comparing themselves among themselves, [they] are not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12).
Others may feel their spiritual growth is stunted because they don’t play a visible role. This is also wrong. Sometimes those who are growing the most may feel inferior to those who maintain a hypocritical façade of legalistic perfection. Spiritual comparisons are always unwise. Only the Lord is the true judge of spiritual growth.
Physical stature doesn’t matter, but our spiritual standing does. If you are feeling spiritually superior or inferior, ask God to give you the proper attitude. He is the true judge of the heart (1 Sam. 16:7).
Comparing your life with someone you see
Is not a fulfilling quest,
For Jesus’ own words are “Follow Me.”
And that’s how to know life’s best. —Hess
No deception is more dangerous than self-deception.
