“The Curse of Comparison”
Overcomer Week 1
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
August 6, 2017
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT) and John 20:3-8 (NLT)
Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn't dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as a standard of measurement. How ignorant! (2 Cor. 10:12)
It’s never been easier to compare than it is in this current climate:
- Social media, self-esteem, image
- Finances and possession
- Jobs, prestige, importance, vacations
- Church - you mean to tell me, churches compare to other churches??!!!
“The worst part about the curse of comparison is you are often comparing your worst day to someone else’s highlight reel.” - Steven Furtick
Quote this: The easiest way to kill something special is to compare it to something else. That includes YOURSELF.
Comparing makes you feel either SUPERIOR or INFERIOR and both are consequences of pride and neither honors God!
The Race to the Tomb
3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed.
Two disciples - in the most crucial and lonely moment of their lives - rushing to the tomb to find out what has happened to Jesus. Believe it or not, Peter and John were RACING to get there!
There is an insecurity in us that no external WIN can satisfy.
The Land of “er” and “est” - There is no win in comparison.
Quote this: Where comparison begins, contentment ends.
You can’t faithfully follow Jesus if you’re always comparing yourself to someone else. You will always be running a race you cannot win.
This quest - this love language, and often false sense of security - is called AFFIRMATION.
- Looking to the outside for your worth
- Do I make you proud?
- Am I good enough?
- Do I belong here? Am I accepted?
- Do I measure up?
- Am I as good as they are?
The question we must all answer: who or what will define my worth? GOD SHOULD.
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
- When God does good - celebrate!
- When others succeed - celebrate!
- When you have a victory - celebrate!
- When you learn from an adversity - celebrate!
24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. (1 Cor. 9:24-26)
Three keys to overcoming the curse of comparison:
- Have a purpose for every step!
- Define what’s important and who holds your worth
- Clear out of your schedule and mind what is not a priority or an opportunity
What would change in your life if you completed adopted this concept?
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
I am an #Overcomer of the Curse of Comparison!
