comparison- looking to see how we measure up to those around us.

• If we see someone looking both ways before they cross the street and it causes us to do the same?

• If we hear someone talking about paying their bills on time and it causes us to do the same?

• If we see someone teaching their child how to be respectful to others and it causes us to do the same?

• If we see someone sacrificing their wants in order to love their spouse well and it causes us to do the same?

• If we see someone with a brand new car and it causes us to go get one?

• If we see that someone has a bigger house than us and it causes us to go buy a bigger house?

• If we see that someone has a job that allows them to make more money than us and that causes us to quit our job?

Hebrews 13:7

Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

When is comparison a problem?

Luke 18

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 

11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 

12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

When is comparison a problem?

When it causes us to glorify ourselves instead of glorifying God

Is this decision going to glorify me or God?

What about getting a new car?

What about this bigger house?

What about a new job?

What about the people I hang out with?

What about this new hobby?

What about where I spend my time?

What about how I talk?

What about how I dress?

COMPARISON KEEPS US BUSY CHASING SOMETHING WE CAN NEVER CATCH.

Hebrews 12

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

COMPARISON CAUSES US TO RUN A RACE THAT WE CAN NEVER WIN