What God really wants you to know about the spirit of comparison
Does the sun compare itself to the moon? This was the question God asked me when I found myself in the comparison trap. I felt defeated, and past experiences confirming that defeat washed over my mind like waves on the seashore.
I felt stuck. My self-esteem was in the dumps, and I found myself wondering what my purpose was. Why am I here? You already have someone who can do this better than me, I thought. I fully knew the answer, but that’s what comparison does, right?
In full transparency, I would often distract myself from such thoughts by going to social media and allowing the feelings to pass. Eventually, I would forget….sometimes. That is until the next time the comparison animal would jump out of the bushes and attack me again.
I was using ineffective, temporary, and worldly measures in a bleak attempt to heal spiritual wounds. Let’s be clear, you’re doomed from the start if this is how you handle spiritual warfare.
It will only numb you, and like Lidocaine, it eventually wears off, leaving you with the wounds still there…open and gaping.
I was running away from a spiritual fight that I should have dominated with the weapons of God. And so the problem kept coming and making its claim over my happiness and contentment while questioning God’s calling on my life.
The truth is, I didn’t realize how frequently I was fighting the spirit of comparison and how far back it dated….childhood. I’m thinking about all the times I would compare how much I got to my siblings’ or classmates’ portions. I thought I was always about making sure everything was fair. But the truth is, I had always been measuring myself against someone else. In fact, some studies show that 10% of our thoughts involve comparison in some form.
I had been naively walking in bondage instead of the freedom to be the one and only me. And God has brought it to my attention. And now He and I are bringing it to yours.
So I’m excited to announce that God is about to break us free from a stronghold that plagues so many. In this article, we are going to study the spirit of comparison and understand it so that we can conquer it with God’s help.
Are you ready to beat the thief of joy at its own game? I know I am.
Examples of comparison in the Bible
There is nothing new under the sun. If we are dealing with the spirit of comparison today, you can bet that those who came before us did as well.
Here are a few examples of the danger of comparison in the Bible
God and Satan
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,“I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.
Isaiah 14:12-15
Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan,who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Revelations 12:7-9
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
Luke 10:18
The father of lies, Satan, Lucifer, our eternal enemy, the serpent….he goes by many names these days. While he is the original sinner, He didn’t start that way. Pride and envy seeped in, and we have the evil that terrorizes this fallen world today.
Ezekiel 28:12-18 tells us that Satan was created in perfect beauty and wisdom. He was adorned in precious stones and given great wisdom as a high-ranking angel.
Maybe this wisdom and beauty went to his head. Because one day he decided he didn’t want to worship God, he wanted to be like God. Why should God get all the praise and accolades?
And so, he started a rebellion in Heaven. He wasn’t thrown out by himself; the angels who followed him in his rebellion were also cast out. They are the fallen angels, aka demons, that we are still dealing with to this day.
Need I remind you that Satan hates God’s creation, and his job ever since has been to corrupt it. He would destroy it if God allowed it. There is a war for souls waging around us daily.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12
Satan wants revenge on God, and he loves to hit God where he knows it will hurt Him most…us. He knows his end and will stop at nothing to take as many with him as he can.
This is why we mustn’t fall into the same traps that he’s set for us. Because when we do, we are at risk of missing out on the beauty and presence of God, uncovering His purpose for our lives, and suffering the same fate as Satan.
Cain and Abel
When Adam and Eve took a bite of the forbidden fruit, sin entered the Earth and the hearts of all who would inhabit it.
The Bible tells us in Genesis 4 that Cain and Abel brought offerings to God. God looked with favor on Abel’s offering, which was chosen and presented in obedience to God’s word. However, He did not look with favor on Cain’s offering.
Cain became angry, and God warned him that sin was crouching at his door. Cain ended up killing his brother.
Saul and David
Saul, the first king of Israel, was disobedient to the word of God and sought to please people more than the Lord. His pride was the root of his downfall.
David, with the help of God, went from shepherd boy to being a skilled warrior and high-ranking member in the army of Saul. Here’s a snippet of what happened.
When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang:
“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.
1 Samuel 18:6-9
Saul got caught in the comparison trap, which further aided in his demise.
Rachel and Leah
Two sisters married to the same man. Leah is described as having weak eyes, and Rachel was known for her beauty. Their husband worked seven years for Rachel, but was tricked into marrying Leah.
Because of his love for Rachel, he worked seven additional years to earn the right to marry her. Leah was able to bear children, and Rachel was barren for a time.
From these few sentences, we can see that the spirit of comparison had a lot to work with here. And it did.
Although there were some high tensions, they both overcame and found God in their struggle. Leah learned to put her trust and identity in God above all. Rachel learned to trust God and his timing.
How to conquer the spirit of comparison biblically
Ok, so we have talked about examples of comparison in the bible and how it influenced those who came before us. But, how can the modern-day Christian tackle this giant? Here is what God gave me.
Adopt a kingdom mindset
Birds of a feather flock together. As you spend more time with God, you start to develop His heart and thoughts. However, if you spend more time with the world, you will start to look more like it. This is why that quiet, sacred time with God is important for your spiritual growth.
Perspective and mindset are everything. As you start to think more like God, you start to see things from His perspective and not your own. This doesn’t mean that you’ll always understand what He’s doing, but you will be more inclined to trust Him.
And that’s great for you and your growth in Him. Once He reveals what He has up His sleeve, things will make a little more sense. But, even if He chooses not to, His peace is now your peace.
Practice Gratitude
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11-13
Like a kingdom mindset, gratitude also plays a role in shifting your perspective. When you’re looking out of a glass that you perceive as dirty, that’s how the world will always look to you.
However, once you set your sights on the goodness of God and focus on what He has given you, contentment is your reward. I encourage you to take a look at my article on having a thankful heart. It really is the cure to bitterness and opens up the doors to freedom for your soul.
Adjust your standards
You can defeat comparison biblically by adopting God’s standards. Comparing yourself to other humans who are just as imperfect and need God just as much as you do is meaningless. The only standard that we should be looking to is Jesus.
While we can never be perfect and this isn’t God’s expectation of us, we should strive to be more like Him every day with His help. Let Jesus be the blueprint for how your life is lived, not another human being.
Because who are you worshipping?
Don’t place God in a box.
Another way comparison in the Bible was conquered was by believing that God could do immeasurably more than what is asked or imagined through faith (Ephesians 3:20). And He’s still in the business of doing this to this day.
There is enough in the kingdom of God for everyone to get their portion and more. It isn’t a pizza where some people get a slice, and when it’s gone, everyone else is out of luck. God’s kingdom is vast, and its resources are endless. With God, the sky is never the limit.
Understand your role in the body of Christ
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;
Romans 12:4-6
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.
Galatians 6:4-5
Be sure to uplift and celebrate others when you see them “winning” because a win for them is a win for the kingdom. Don’t let the enemy divide us with the spirit of comparison, for a house divided cannot stand.
We are the body of Christ, and we are supposed to work in sync with each other. Each of us is given special talents and born at a certain place and at a specific time for a special purpose.
You may not be able to sing like an angel, but you can lead with the heart of a lion. You may get picked on for being a nerd and not a “cool” person, but God can use that “nerdiness” to cure the next disease or develop a company that serves millions.
Focus on stewarding what God has given you
We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.
2 Corinthians 10:12
The grass is always greener where you water it. You may never strengthen your singing voice, allowing it to lead hundreds or thousands to God if you’re comparing yourself to the person who dances better than you.
And others may not see the grace of God through you if you never step out on faith, embrace your “nerdiness,” and build that company that serves millions. The moral of the story is, stop trying to adopt an identity that was never meant to be yours.
Avoid triggers
If you know doom scrolling on social media will trigger thoughts of comparison, I suggest taking a break from it. Try spending that time with God so that you can be strengthened and reset. AKA…a social media fast.
Your flesh will want to rebel against this, but remember you are not ruled by your flesh. You are obedient to the Spirit.
Defeat low self-esteem biblically once and for all
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Psalm 139:13-14
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Proverbs 14:30
A lot of people succumb to the spirit of comparison when they feel like they don’t measure up. This is a lie of the enemy and a direct attack on your identity.
One of THE MOST important things I had to learn was that my worth was not determined by my performance. It’s determined by who God says I am…period.
God says that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, His masterpiece. He says that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. He also says we are never forsaken.
I have chosen to stand on these truths, and I hope you do too.
Pray continuously
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Prayer and the word of God are the most powerful tools that you can use in spiritual warfare. Take the scriptures above and meditate on them.
The thoughts will return. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to let them set up shop within your mind. Guard your heart and mind with the word of God and through persistence in prayer.
Final thoughts on comparison in the Bible
Comparison comes after all of us, and it can be a bear trap to get out of. All it takes is a look at someone else’s accomplishment, good news, or even clothing, and you’re triggered. It breeds discontentment, attacks your self-worth, and the core of who you are. It makes life seem unfair and leaves you feeling like you got the short stick, depending on which side you’re on.
For the one with the “advantage”, pride is the culprit behind it. For the one who seems disadvantaged, jealousy, envy, and low self-esteem are the culprits. However, its reign on your life has ended here and now.
I hope this article has encouraged you by helping you to see examples of comparison in the Bible and providing you with some biblical tools to defeat it.
Remember, you are a masterpiece, and there is no other you in this world. And there never will be. No matter what this world screams, listen to the voice of your Heavenly Father. Only his word as your creator has the power and authority to tell you who you are and what you can do.
Go be great!
Until next time,
-Dr. Jay
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