We live in a world where people are always comparing themselves to others to see how they are doing. Why is this the case? Why is there a constant need to see if we are doing better or worse than another person? What does the bible say about comparisons in general and how does this affect us spiritually?

2 Corinthians 10:12 says “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.” We see in this verse Paul says that when people start measuring themselves and comparing themselves to others they lose their own understanding. When we start to focus on how we are doing compared to others instead of focusing on God’s plan for our life we start to go down a bad path.

There are many examples in the bible of people comparing themselves with others and losing out on their own plan that God had for them. When Cain murdered his own brother Abel because God was pleased with Abel’s offering and not Cain’s he did so because he started comparing himself to his brother. When Saul envied David and tried to kill him out of envy he did so because was comparing himself with David. When the older brother in the parable of the prodigal’s son was unhappy that his father prepared a feast for his brother who had left the family he did so because was comparing himself to his brother. All these people were filled with envy and jealousy and ended up becoming unhappy because they started comparing their life with other people. If they had trusted in God’s plan for their own life instead of comparing their lives with others, they could have saved themselves a lot of grief and trouble.

This is why Paul says in Galatians 6:4 “But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” God has a unique plan for each one of us and God wants us to be happy in the plan for our own life instead of comparing ourselves to other people in our lives. Like Paul said we should test our own work and not compare it with anyone else’s work. We need to make sure that we are not being distracted by the plan that God has for other people in their life. It is quite possible that God has blessed certain people in their lives with more than we have. They might have more money, more talents, better ministry, etc. This should not make us unhappy or envy them but be happy for what God is doing in their lives and understand that God has a different plan for us in our own lives.

As Christians, we need to be very careful that we do not fall into the trap of living our lives by comparing ourselves to others. This will only lead to turmoil, strife, and unhappiness. We need to focus on enjoying our own life and understanding God’s plan for our life.  Proverbs 3:5-6 says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Whenever we feel like we are beginning to compare ourselves with others remember that God is in control and all we need to do is trust in him and pray for understanding.