It is easy to become judgmental:
- They’re lost; I’m not.
- They’re really bad; I’m saved.
- He/she really needs the gospel; I have it.
The list could go on. Tripp puts it this way:
The person next to me doesn’t need the gospel more than I do; he just needs it differently than I do. All people sin and fall short.
It’s tragic when I do that. I once read “Comparisons are odious.” My translation? Comparing myself to someone else is stupid. I’m a sinner. I’m as bad as the next person! I need Jesus just like the next person. I may need Him differently, but I still need Him!
Part of the problem with comparisons is the tendency to compare strong vs weak, i.e. my strength vs their weakness. My “righteousness” vs their unrighteousness. That is especially true when the other person is not a Christ-follower. Sadly, when I compare like that I put myself in the camp of those Jesus despised: the Pharisees. They postured. They “pomped.” They posed. They walked with their heads high and eyes even higher. They thought they were better than everyone else. All because they compared their so-called righteousness to the unrighteousness of those who were lower than them on the food chain (at least in their minds). It’s no wonder Jesus called them “blind leaders of the blind” and hypocrites.
“Oh dear Father, one simple prayer. Help me see myself as You see me. That will ward off any thoughts of me vs them = me better than them. Help me to be honest with myself and never lose sight of your view: ‘there is none righteous, no not one.’ “
The comparison game is, indeed, a dangerous and, might I say, sinful one. Lord, never let us forget that we are all made in Your image, and we should love our neighbors, not compare ourselves with them.
Blessings, Bill!
Couldn’t agree more Bill,
Comparing only alienates. It points out differences.
As you mentioned, I often compare my strength to the weaknesses of others.
How unfair is that.
That is like a bird telling a fish they are better because they can fly.
Sin is sin is sin…
I am as guilty as any other… and any other is as guilty as I.
The penalty is the same… It has been since the beginning… it is death.
The good news is that Jesus spared me that penalty as he did everyone else who is willing to accept it.
This levels the field.
Nobody is better, nobody is worse, some have just accepted to have their debt paid.
I’m all in with you, Bill.
That hideous pride is the furthest we can get from our Father and His heart.
I’m reminded that the foot of the cross is level for all of us…