Topic: Comparing Is the Root of Envy [RICK WARREN Devotional 17 february   2023]

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Comparing Is the Root of Envy

BY RICK WARREN — FEBRUARY 17, 2023
FROM THE LIFE YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE

“Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else.”

Galatians 6:4 (TLB)

Comparing is the root of all envy. If you can get rid of comparing in your life, you can get rid of envy in your life.

Here’s the problem: Comparing is our favorite indoor sport. We compare everything. We compare our size, our shape, our color, how we talk, and our intelligence. We compare our families, our kids, our jobs, our talents, and even our lawns.

God warns about the foolishness of comparing yourself to anybody else: “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 NIV).

Every time you compare, you fall prey to either pride or envy. When you find someone who’s doing a better job than you, you fill up with envy. When you realize you’re doing a better job than someone else, you become filled with pride.

Pride and envy always result from comparing. And God says comparing is foolish; you shouldn’t do it. You are unique—one of a kind. You are incomparable.

The Bible says in Galatians 6:4, “Let everyone be sure that he is doing his very best, for then he will have the personal satisfaction of work well done and won’t need to compare himself with someone else” (TLB). 

When you get to heaven, God won’t say, “Why weren’t you more like this person or that person?” No, instead he’ll ask, “Why weren’t you more like you?”

When you get to heaven, God’s rewards won’t be based on talent you didn’t have or opportunities you weren’t given. He will reward you based on how you lived and what you did with what you were given.

There’s no need to compare yourself with others. In fact, you can’t focus on your own purpose while you’re focusing on other people.

God has called you to be the best you can possibly be in light of your background, experiences, and the talent that he’s given you. It’s time to stop focusing on others and instead make the most of those gifts that are uniquely yours.

Talk It Over

• Instead of looking at others to gauge your value or expectations, where do you need to look?
• When someone you know has a victory, accomplishment, or reward, are you able to rejoice with that person? Why or why not?
• What are the gifts and abilities God has given you? How are you using them to be the best version of yourself?

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