The Type of Comparison No One Talks About

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. PHILIPPIANS 2:3 ESV 

I’ll never forget this day in seventh grade. Our teacher was reading a devotion about comparison. The last sentence she read was something along the lines of, “Therefore, if you find yourself not making as good of grades as someone else, lift your eyes to Jesus and praise Him for the many blessings you have. Or, if you find yourself making better grades than most, bow your head in humility, ask God for a heart of purity, and strive to be an encouragement to others.” 

Being an immature little clown who happened to make good grades, I decided to bow my head with a cartoon-like facial expression and a double-chinned grin, mainly with the intention of making my friends laugh. But right when I did that, my teacher’s eyeballs locked with mine. She raised her brow with a serious look and said, 

“What comes after pride, class?” 

“A fall!” everyone responded in unison. 

Goodness gracious, was I mortified. Even though I wasn’t trying to be prideful, that moment still taught me a powerful lesson. And quite honestly, it instilled a healthy fear of God in me that still remains to this day. 

There are two types of comparison. The one most commonly discussed is the type that leaves you feeling insecure, or not as good as someone else. However, there is a form of comparison that isn’t talked about nearly enough; and that’s the one that leaves you feeling haughty or superior. This is the most dangerous form of comparison and is a stench to the nostrils of God. Be aware of your heart and rebuke this temptation when it arises. Comparison-induced pride will always lead to humbling consequences and will hinder the blessings of God. Both forms of comparison are thieves of joy; therefore, comparison and joy simply cannot coexist. To live a life of joy, we must choose to see others through the eyes of Jesus rather than through the eyes of insecurity or pride. 

Lord, create in me a clean heart. Help me see others the way You do. Strip me from any signs of haughtiness or pride, and show me how to be more like You. Amen. 

This is an excerpt from Goodness Gracious: 90 Unfiltered Devotions for This Sometimes-Too-Serious Life by Hannah Crews – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.