Articles
Making Comparisons
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day” (Prov. 23:17, NKJV).
One easy way to be self-consumed is to compare ourselves with others. When we look at what others have or what they achieve, it is easy for us to see how we fail to measure up to them. Or if we have more and have accomplished more than others, we feel greater than we really are. Either way, we lose our focus.
Ultimately we don’t live to compare ourselves to others. We live for an audience with God. God is the only One who is worthy of our affections and allegiance. When we compare ourselves with others, we quickly become consumed with pride or envy, and our passion for Christ quickly fades.
Passion for the Lord is a choice. We must not let our hearts envy sinners. Envy doesn’t just happen on its own. It is the result of choosing to look, to compare, and to desire more than we have. To make the choice for godly passion, we need to value God’s purpose more than elevating ourselves. We need to care about the souls of people more than cars, or clothes, or a vacation. As our hearts grasp the wonder, the majesty, and the mystery of knowing and following Christ, we realize nothing else compares to Him. As long as we live in this world, the choice to focus on Him is never easy. But focus is a product of choice and habit. We can make the choice and develop the habit of letting our minds and hearts soak up the riches of God instead of comparing the riches of the world.
The key to real satisfaction and contentment is found in being zealous of the fear of the Lord, not the approval of others.
Rickie Jenkins
