No More Comparing!
2 Corinthians 10, 1 Samuel 18
Comparing started in the Garden of Eden when Satan insinuated that God had something they didn’t have.  An Old Testament example is found in 1 Samuel 18:6-9 where Saul became furious when the people proclaimed that he had slain thousands but to David, they attributed tens of thousands.  A New Testament example is in John 21:20-23: “20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Three things about the comparison trap:

CURSE: The comparison trap results in either a superior attitude or an inferior, insecure attitude.  We think we will find fulfillment when we become the best.  When it doesn’t happen, we may become angry with God for not giving us what we want or we may resent others or even feel that we are not good enough.  We open ourselves up to demonic influence when we envy.  James 3:14-16: “14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.          “
CAUSE: We don’t accept what God has created us to be. There are no perfect people. We are to celebrate differences and be unified for kingdom work. 1 Corinthians 12:25: so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

We lack understanding of our God-given identity and purpose. 2 Corinthians 10:12: We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.

We all battle the sin of covertness. Colossians 3:5: “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Greed is idolatry and we are to remove it.

CURE:

Start magnifying God rather than things.
Be thankful.  When tempted to complain, stop & thank God for 10 things in your life.  You can always find things to be thankful for.
Renew your mind with Scriptures.   Ecclesiastes 4:4-6: “4 And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless,   a chasing after the wind. 5 Fools fold their hands and ruin themselves.6 Better one handful  with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.”  If our two hands are closed, they are unable to receive.  We need to have one hand to achieve and one hand to receive from God in order to help