Stop Caring: What Other People Think About You | The Comparison Virus

by Lee Higginbotham
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Comparison is the most insidious virus on the planet.  It leads to jealousy, anger, and an especially bitter root.  The Apostle Paul knew this, and that's why he mentioned it so ardently in his letters.  He could see it was tearing apart relationships that were mean to be God-honoring relationships for Kingdom purposes. This age-old comparison virus is rampant in the Body of Christ these days, and it's only spreading and becoming more deadly because of the Internet. Teddy Roosevelt astutely observed, "Comparison is the thief of joy."  This was wisdom, but it wasn't new wisdom.  That prescient observation was long ago inspired by God in His Word.  If Christians would look to God's admonishments about comparison, they would surely stop caring and quickly feel the joy of their salvation bubbling to the surface of their hearts.  

Meditate on these Scriptures about comparing yourself with other people:

Galatians 1:10 
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 6:4
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.

Romans 12:6
So we are to use our different gifts in accordance with the grace that God has given us. If our gift is to speak God's message, we should do it according to the faith that we have.

Philippians 2:3 
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

​2 Corinthians 10:12
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.

1 Corinthians 3:3
​You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?