Dear Family and Friends,

I once heard a well respected pastor admit that he struggled when listening to other preachers. Quite honestly, I couldn’t agree with him more.

Deep down in our hearts we both want to listen to what God has to say. But the flesh screams – oh, I don’t know if I would’ve said it that way. Or gee, that was well said. 

Now I know that most people don’t compare themselves to preachers. But have you noticed how often we compare ourselves to others?

We gather facts by asking subtle questions. Then we form impressions based on how they measure up. 

This my friends, is yet another reason why we struggle to ‘see’ and love others.

For this reason Paul says, “Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”  Galatians 5:26 NIV

Provoking in Greek is prokaleó. It means to challenge someone from a position of superiority.

Envy in Greek is phthoneó. It means to envy, become bitter (sour) because of another person’s success.

It’s hard to ‘see’ and love a person we consider to be inferior.

It’s equally hard to ‘see’ and love a person we envy. Envy is based not on respect but resentment. 

In reality, these acts of comparison are attempts to raise our personal value at the expense of others.

Where does this desire to compare come from?

After Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit they covered their nakedness.

But they were not just physically naked. They hid because they were spiritually naked as well. 

The relationship they once had with God had been severed. And without God, they became orphans with no family identity.

Their fall affected us all. We all begin life as orphans in search of an identity. 

This is why we so want to be seen by others. This is why we go through life trying to make a ‘name’ for ourselves. 

For some, making a ‘name’ becomes an obsession. Many young people today aspire to be influencers on social media. Their value determined by likes and followers. 

A few in my generation subtly dropped names and accomplishments hoping others would think highly of them. 

The rest of us use comparisons to fill our identity void. To convince ourselves that we are better than others and thus special. 

Unfortunately, comparing ourselves to others brings only moments of satisfaction – just moments…

So, how do we keep from falling into this comparison trap?

Let me share two ways.

First, remember the message of the Gospel.

“Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1-2 NIV

That relationship which was broken in the Garden was restored. We are no longer orphans. All because of what Jesus did for us.

Second, there are many verses that warn against comparing ourselves to others. Let’s look at one – what Jesus said after telling Peter how he would die.

“When Peter saw him [John], he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’” John‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV

The affairs of others should be of no concern to us.

Jesus asks that we mind our own assignment which is to follow Him.

Let me close with this: Heaven rejoiced when you gave your life to Christ (Luke 15:7). Don’t worry about being seen. You already are!

In love always,

Pastor Dale
pastordale.church