So many believers mess up by comparing themselves to other Christians. When done correctly this can actually be a good thing. Seeing the way in which another lives fully for God and trying to do the same.
Sadly many Christians are not comparing themselves in this way. Instead, they see how others fall to sin and use it as an excuse for sin in their own life.
Seeing someone else who calls themselves a Christian and attends church or even holds a position in the church sin in a certain way does not give you an excuse to do the same. Christians must not compare themselves in this way.
Scripture is clear that we will each face judgment. Where we will have to give an account for our own personal actions. Saying that someone else was doing it so you thought it was okay will not be able to clear you. Instead, God will reward or sentence you according to your actions.
1 Peter 1:17 (ESV)
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
What’s worse is that by comparing ourselves to others in order to justify sin you are committing double the sin. Because the sheer fact is that if you are looking for a way to justify certain actions, it’s clear you know it is wrong. And the Bible tells us that it is a sin to know something is wrong and do it anyway.
James 4:17 (ESV)
17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Also, we must realize that we never know the heart of another person. At the time they may not be aware of their shortcoming only to realize their sin later down the road. When they realize their misguided ways, they may repent and change without you ever knowing.
Meaning they are safe from the judgment of this former sin because they repented. While you still living in the comparison from before they repented and still are blindly walking toward judgment for your own sinful actions. The actions that you alone are responsible for.
It’s so important that we do not try to compare ourselves to other Christians because it can so easily lead us astray. Instead, we must choose to compare ourselves to the scripture and live our lives in the image it presents.
There is only one person we should compare ourselves to and that is Jesus Christ. Because that is what the Bible tells us to do. Doing so will never lead us astray but closer to God. Paul told people to live like him not because he was so spiritual. But because he was already comparing himself to Christ and doing his best to live according to that standard. Just as every Christian should.
1 John 2:6 (ESV)
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Stop trying to compare yourself to other believers today. It’s not worth it and will never really work out due to the fact that all humans are fallible. To be frank, it’s really just dangerous and irresponsible. Because you never know the whole story and can easily end up farther away from the Lord.
Instead choose to only compare yourself to the infallible word of God and Jesus Christ. Because that will always lead to living a righteous lifestyle and result in life-saving salvation.
Help us reach more people by sharing our articles on your social media. Our goal here is to reach the world with biblical truth but we cannot do that without shares from readers like you. To share simply click on the social icons on this page. Thank you so much for your support and God Bless!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.