Comparing ourselves

“Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” – 1 Samuel 2v3

How often do we start thinking that we are really “something?” If we are not careful we can get to the point where we think that we are the “bees knees” and that God is lucky to have us on our side!

We may see other believers and compare ourselves with them. Being harshly critical of things they say or do. We may condemn them for not acting just like us. We may label them just because they differ with us on some minor point of doctrine.

The reason behind this is pure and simple - it is pride. Hannah’s pray addresses this; “Don’t talk so proudly, don’t be so arrogant in your speech: God knows everything and by Him actions are weighed.

Picture an old-fashioned balance scale. On one side of the scale we have our actions, on the other side of the scale we have God. Is there any ever any way that we can balance the scale? Of course not! We are weighed by God’s standard of perfection, not by any other man. What a humbling truth. We must never be guilty of comparing ourselves to others, for God is our standard. The more we know Him the more we see the exceeding holiness of God and the exceeding wickedness of our sin.

That is certainly enough to keep our mouths shut!