I have heard it said that comparison is the thief of joy. When we are constantly comparing our lives against the lives of others, it steals our joy. We tend to compare our worst, our failures, and bad hair days against the best of others and wonder why we can’t be more like the other person. We consume hours of video content on our phones and streaming services and compare ourselves to the people who have spent hours or weeks preparing for that one video.
Or, perhaps we compare ourselves against the mistakes of others and we imagine that we are way better than that other person. “At least I’m not like…” We look to find the worst in others to make us feel better about ourselves. It is easier to find fault in others than it is to take the time to improve ourselves. In the end, though, it steals our joy. However we treat others, that is how we will be treated.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7: 1-2
Yes, I know I wrote about this yesterday. Don’t judge me. It is a topic worth developing further. It seems that much of the conversations I listen to are centered around other people. Even within my own house. Our human nature seems to be drawn toward talking about other people and comparing ourselves with everybody else. Comparison is the thief of joy.
If you’ve been following this series, you may remember that I wrote earlier that distraction is the thief of joy. Yes, distraction is the thief of joy. Comparison is one of the biggest tools used to distract us from God. When we are comparing ourselves against others, we are taking our attention off of God and focusing on the world. Do you want to be like that role model you adore, or do you want to be like Christ? Comparison is the thief of joy, simply because it takes our attention off of Christ.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7: 3-5
When we focus on others and spend our time comparing ourselves to them and being critical of their every move, our attention is now on that person, rather than on Christ. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Maybe that is why we would rather compare ourselves to other people. I don’t look as bad compared to my co-worker or fellow student as I do compared to the glory of God. Maybe it is time we look at the man in the mirror. “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make the change.”
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
James 1: 23-25
Our focus should be on becoming like Christ and looking “intently into the perfect law that gives freedom.” Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. We often forget that second part, “and his righteousness”. Living our lives to the moral standard that was set by Christ. Impossible? Yes. So why try? Because that is the standard God has set for us to work toward. The more we seek to be like Christ, the less the problems of this world will matter. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and you will be blessed in what you do.
Then Jesus says something else that appears to be a little out of place, but actually fits right in.
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
Matthew 7: 6
God wants our attention. When we are judging others and trying to be like others, we are turning our attention away from God. “Do not give dogs what is sacred.” Don’t worry about what other people are doing. Turn your attention toward God. How often do we try to win the affection of those around us, only to be disappointed in their reaction? How many times have we been “torn to pieces” by those we have looked up to, maybe even our spouse or best friend? We spend hours doing something special and they do not appreciate it. It tears the soul to pieces. How many times have we been hurt by someone and called them “dogs” or “pigs” and felt like we have been “walked all over?” When our focus is on other people and desiring the attention of others, we will always be disappointed and feel trampled on.
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and you will never be torn to pieces.
