What does the Bible say about comparisons? Plus 22 Bible Verses
Put Comparisons Behind You
One of the most discouraging things you can do is compare yourself to others. Whether it’s comparing your financial status to theirs, their marriage, their material items, their faith, or more. There will always be someone who appears to be doing better than you in one way or another. The sooner you accept this fact, the sooner you can put comparisons behind you and live happily serving God instead of comparing yourself to man.
Comparisons shouldn’t be a regular part of your life.
So many of us make comparisons sometimes that it can feel natural because ‘everyone’ does it. That’s the issue, it shouldn’t become a way of life. We were never meant to be constantly comparing ourselves to others. If God wanted us to all be the same, he would have made us all the same.
Trials shape us into God’s Soldiers
God has a purpose and a plan for each of us that follow Him. That purpose and plan are unique to each individual person. The trials we face shape us into the soldier God needs to bring glory to Him and His kingdom. For example, if someone came to you for help with addiction and you never struggled with addiction, it would be difficult for you to understand and help them.
God’s plan always comes to fruition.
Instead, you would likely want them to seek help from someone who’s been there and overcame that trial because they have firsthand knowledge of the suffering. They know how to overcome it. I’m sure that person didn’t understand at the time why they had to be the one who struggled with addiction while someone else didn’t, until the day someone came seeking their help and then they start to see God’s plan and purpose for their life come to fruition.
Comparisons are a tool of satan.
The issue is we often miss the bigger picture. We get so caught up comparing how ‘easy’ someone else’s life appears to ours that we take for granted what we have. The internet has been the biggest tool of satan when it comes to comparisons. Let me tell you, that person on Instagram rarely looks like that in person. That 100K car behind them, likely isn’t theirs, but someone’s on the street that they asked if they could snap a picture with.
Almost everything online is a facade.
The person who looks so happy and appears to have so many friends could actually have no friends at all. There are literally services that allow you to rent people’s time for photos and events. So, the 5 friends in the photo with them could have been bought for the hour so they could keep up appearances. When you are down asking yourself, why do they get to have the car and all the friends? Remember, most of what you see online is a facade, you see what people want you to see.
What does the Bible say about storing treasures?
When the enemy keeps you trapped in a cycle of comparison it keeps your mind from focusing on what truly matters. That is serving God and His will. Everything on Earth will eventually fade away. The Bible tells us to store our treasures in Heaven, not here. We can’t take any of these things with us when we go. Then, in Romans says we will each have to give an account of ourselves to God. We don’t give an account for someone else. So, stop comparing yourself to other and focus on you.
What does the Bible say about the place where jealousy exists?
James says, ‘For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice’. Comparing yourself to others often leads to envy and jealousy. According to James where jealousy exists, there will be disorder. If it seems like you cannot ever have peace, evaluate if jealous and selfish ambition exists within your life.
What does the Bible say about loving the things of this world?
1 John says ‘Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him’. We should not love the things of the world. Our love should be for God and what He desires. For the things of this world belong to the enemy so if we love the things of this world, is God truly in us? Not according to His word.
What does the Bible say about the love of money?
Hebrews says, ‘Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” We should be content with the fact that God will never leave no forsake us. We should keep our hearts and minds free from the love of money. We should give thanks for what we have.
What does the Bible say about giving thanks?
Regardless if you are in a bad season, we should always give thanks. 1 Thessalonians says, ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you’. It doesn’t say give thanks when things are good. It says to give thanks in ALL circumstances. If you are only giving thanks in the good you are praising your feelings, not God. As I’ve said before, God is good all the time.
What does Galatians say about seeking the approval of man?
Galatians could not put it more simply than when it says, ‘For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ’. Are you still trying to please man? If so, go to God and get right in your heart with your priorities. Pleasing man is not of God and the word lets us know that plain as day.
What does the Bible say about Rivalry and Conceit?
‘Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.’ This is from Philippians. Are you doing this in competition with someone else? If they get a new car, do you feel like you have to get a new car?
See yourself as insignificant.
We should be humble and count ourselves as more insignificant than ourselves. If we are always counting ourselves as more insignificant than others, then we will never be stuck in the trap of the enemy with comparisons because we will always see ourselves as less and be content with that.
What God says is all that matters.
Making comparisons is something I myself struggle with. I’ll see someone who works half as much and seems to have twice as much. It’s so hard not to allow that to discourage me and make me feel like what is the point. Then, I have to remind myself of what God says because that is the only word that matters.
Put the Bible to Action
In 2022, I will stop comparing myself to others and I challenge you to do the same. These comparisons only take away from the joy and peace God has given us. Many of us would find ourselves much happier if we would start putting to action what the Bible tells us instead of just listening to it.
Humble Yourself
There’s a reason God gave us the Bible. We need to humble ourselves and not be too stubborn to think we can do it our way and that our way will work better. It doesn’t. Our way is what leads to pain, chaos, anxiety, and destruction. Then, we go to God pleading for him to fix our mistakes. Apply God’s word to your life. Stop comparing your walk with God to someone else’s.
Who are we to question the will of God?
You have no clue where God will have you in 10 years. What God gave someone else could be preparing the way for your dream and calling. That business someone else just started could be where you will be the CEO. We should cheer others on, pray for and bless them. Who are we to question the will of God? As the Bible says we should not lean or depend on our own understanding.
Trust God and have Faith.
We get discouraged when we try to see things our way. Trust God and have faith knowing that His way is always better than our way. Surrender your control and comparisons to Him, you won’t regret it.
22 Bible Verses about Comparisons
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.2 Corinthians 10:12
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.Galatians 6:4
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.Romans 12:2
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.Philippians 2:3
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.Galatians 1:10
For who knows a person’s thoughts except for the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.1 Corinthians 2:11
Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”Hebrews 13:5
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”1 Peter 5:5
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.1 Thessalonians 5:13
But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.Galatians 6:4-5
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.Romans 12:3
In all things, I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’Acts 20:35
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 2:20
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.1 John 2:15
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.James 3:16
Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.2 Corinthians 12:6-10
Judge not, that you be not judged.Matthew 7:1
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Proverbs 3:5-6
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.Psalm 139:14
It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.Jude 1:19
And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.Romans 14:12
Where my Inspiration Comes From
Grace Community Church in New Market, TN is where we go to church. This week’s sermon linked below is what gave me the inspiration to write on what the Bible says about comparisons. This clip is Pastor Josh Moore. He is one of the most anointed pastors my husband and I have had the pleasure of listening to. He’s not afraid to boldly share the word of God and hit on the hard topics like some mainstream preachers are. If you want to live a life right unto God, you need a preacher who isn’t afraid to preach on sin. I highly recommend you subscribe to their Youtube channel to be notified when new sermons are posted.
Worthy: Finding Yourself in a World Expecting Someone Else
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02/19/2024 10:21 am GMT
Worthy: Finding Yourself in a World Expecting Someone Else
Here’s a book I’m looking forward to reading based on the description I think we could all use this. If you’ve read it, I’d love to know what you think!
Book Description:
In Worthy, college professor Melanie Springer Mock sifts through the shape and weight of expectations that press Christians into cultural molds rather than God’s image. By plumbing Scripture and critiquing the ten-billion-dollar-a-year self-improvement industry, Mock offers life-giving reminders that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Set free from the anxiety to conform to others’ expectations, we are liberated to become who God has created us to be. If you’re worn out from worrying that you’ve missed God’s One Big Calling, and if you’re tired of trying to fit yourself into some cookie-cutter Christian mold, step away from the expectations and toward God’s heart.
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I found this to be a very interesting post! I learned a lot, so thank you for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your feedback!