Comparison invades your thoughts and affects your attitude. You see something you want—in social media posts or a store—and do whatever you can to get it.
Comparison leads to self-blaming—It’s your fault you’re not like that, we tell ourselves.
Comparison leads to jealousy—I need that, we say
And it ultimately leads to shame. You’ll never be good enough.
Comparison Isn’t a Sin
The definition of comparison is noticing the differences between two things. And that’s not a sin. But once pride or jealousy creeps in, then it’s a sin.
See, pride says, “I’m better than her. She’s so annoying.”
Envy says, “I wish I were like her. I wish I had those shoes, that phone, her laugh.”
And neither is good.
Envy Is a Sin
When we compare ourselves to others, we want what they have, to become what they are, and to be more like them. We envy their place in life. We covet their good looks, perfect poses, and post-worthy friendships. We let it change our attitudes and actions so we’re more like those around us (1 Corinthians 12:17).
That comparison nags at our minds. How often have you let jealousy change your actions or sour your thoughts? I’ve let that happen to me. How can you stop it from happening to you?
The Truth Will Set You Free
The truth is that social media influencers take many pictures, pick the best one, and edit it to “perfection” before posting. The truth is that these people don’t have a real purpose in life. The truth is that behind those friendships that look solid, their relationships are breaking, and the individuals are suffering.
Is that always the case? Are the glamorized versions of someone’s life never accurate? I bet sometimes they are—but other times, we put people on a pedestal. A pedestal they don’t deserve, or want, to be on.
The truth is that your identity in Christ has not changed, will not change, does not change. The truth is that in the eyes of the world, it doesn’t matter what you achieve—you can never be good enough. You can win awards, see your name plastered on billboards, or even become an author and sign millions of copies and still not be good enough. You’ll need another dollar in your pocket, another loyal fan, and another person that knows your name. But God gives you so much more than that.
He gives you a fixed identity.
It doesn’t waver with the tide. Your worth doesn’t change because of what you’ve done. Endless comparison with people who seem to have everything no longer traps you.
If you take nothing away but this, here goes: You are not worth anything less than the cost God put on you. And that was the life of His only Son. So stop assuming you’re worthless—because you are worth everything.
You’ve always been enough to love—but not because of how you act, look, or feel. You’ve been enough because God put that value on you.
And then He proved it.
Let me know how comparison has shaped your views, thoughts, and attitudes—and what you’ll do to prevent it in the future.
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