08.04 | Do Not Dare to Compare

2 Corinthians 10

‘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.’

2 Corinthians 10:12

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When I say the word comparison, who comes to mind?

One guy I compare with is about my age, in a similar line of work, and with an almost weirdly similar personality. But he is annoyingly more successful than I am. When his writing or speaking pops up—in something I’m reading, listening to, or scrolling past—I’ve a mixed feeling of irritation, insecurity, and thinking man he’s good. His ministry has been a massive blessing to me, and yet at the same time, my appreciation of his work is tainted by a background murmuring of comparison.

Comparison has always been an issue for humanity. The tenth commandment, Do not covet,¹ recognised that our lives would shrink when our gaze drifted to the success and stuff of others. The digital age has only magnified this—endlessly presenting us with the polished life of the beautiful, successful, and magnificently able, neatly organised for us on our home page. It’s comparison on steroids.

And comparison is where Paul goes today.

Some in Corinth have been comparing Paul to these ‘super-apostle’ leaders. Paul speaks big in his letters, they said, but in person he’s a weakling. He’s inarticulate. He’s not a great communicator. He’s poor. The others leaders are just way more impressive.

If this was me, this is when those insecure inner voices would get to work. The comparison game has a gravitational pull, and right here is where it could start dragging me into its orbit. 

But Paul isn’t playing. 

Not that we dare to … compare. 

And as he expands this, we get a stunning insight into how he’d learned to guard his soul against the toxicity of the comparison games.

Four things.

1. Change the values. Paul flips what true strength actually is, not measuring it according to every worldly measurement of charisma, ability, or appearance (in his words, ‘according to the flesh’). It’s true, these guys are more articulate. They are also likely bigger, better looking, and with fabulous teeth. Their Instagram would make you sick. It’s not that these things aren’t true; it’s just that Paul doesn’t care. These things are superficial. They’re lightweight. Focus on the matters of greater substance.

2. Captive thoughts. Secondly, he’s learned that comparison is a battle in the mind. A battle, because your thought life is not a lazy river of meandering, neutral ideas. It is more like a war zone. It is a tussle between incompatible ideas. Comparison always offers us a decision between I am inadequate and I am adequate in Jesus. Only one idea can win each time. The perfectly secure person is he or she whose thoughts are perfectly obedient to Jesus. Take captive your thoughts.

3. Area of Influence. He knows what God has assigned to him (which also means he knows what God has not assigned to him). The performance of these super-apostles becomes irrelevant when he switches his focus from his reputation to his vocation. Leave them to their story and their gifts and their vocation; God has called him to walk his path. As Jesus said to Peter when he was asking about John’s vocation, ‘What is that to you? You follow me!’²

4. Where he boasts. The fundamental transition of the whole conversation. Even if he was the most fabulous communicator, breathtakingly handsome, wealthy, tall and charismatic, none of this would worth boasting about. His boasting is in one place. Comparison looks at the self; Paul turns his attention away from himself to singularly focus on one cause: the fame of Jesus.

Where does this leave us?

As always, it leaves us with today. Today’s little choices, today’s little movements in the direction of Jesus’ Way, accompanied by the powerful Spirit of God who works in us in all moments for our beautification and healing.

I feel a long way off. But the destination—of simplicity and gratitude and focus and peace—is beautiful enough to be worth the journey.

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Reflect:

Who comes to mind when I hear the word ‘comparison’?

Check my values.

What values do I need to repent from?

What values shall I ask the Spirit to build in me?

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Pray:

Father, 

I’m always measuring my life;

My attainments,

My popularity,

My appearance,

And how many people liked my last post.

I know that this is foolish—

And yet, in truth, it can steal the gaze of this heart.

And so, Father, today,

I give you what I have—

Which is repentance.

With all of my heart and will

I turn from the silly obsessions with comparison,

And I receive your good choices for me.

And I ask you to do what I cannot:

Send your Spirit to set me free and to make me new.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

Old Testament: 

For those also reading the Old Testament this year, your additional readings are here:

Joshua 11-13 | Psalm 45

1. Exodus 20:17

2. John 21:22