Home » Getting and Maintaining Focus » #006 The Root Cause of Comparison

#006 The Root Cause of Comparison

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Today I’m back with another purpose-related topic, “The Root Cause of Comparison”.  You will find this podcast categorized later under “Getting and Maintaining Focus”. In our search for purpose, we encounter numerous distractions. These distractions can be relationships or even our own insecurities. Comparison is one distraction that can detour us from purpose. At some point in our lives we have compared our looks, possessions, physical appearance, children, successes; not to mention our spiritual gifts and callings against that of others. I’ve engaged in comparison as it relates to my height. Those of you who know me, know that I am vertically challenged.

Regarding our God-given purpose, we engage in comparison and judge ourselves inadequate to carry out the call on our lives. While meditating on the concept of comparison, I needed to understand the root cause of comparison in order to effectively war against it with the Word.

In today’s podcast, I share two types of comparison though opposite in thought, share the same root cause, pride.

The danger with comparison is that we are not omniscient and we tend to measure ourselves against imperfect people using faulty data –data with missing variables which always lead to skewed results.

I pray that you are able to identify ways you have engaged in comparison and where comparing has deterred you from journey for purpose.

Highlights from Today’s Episode:

  • The root cause of comparison is pride
  • Comparison results in an over- or under-inflated view of self
  • We use faulty data when we compare ourselves to others
  • God alone is omniscient creator, we can trust his choice

Resources:

  • Genesis 1:27 – God created man in his own  image…
  • Genesis 1:31 – And God saw everything that he made, and behold, it was very good
  • Psalms 139:14 – I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…
  • Jeremiah 1:5 – Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you…
  • 1 Peter 2:9 – But you are… a people for God’s own special possession (Gentiles too)
  • Ephesians 1:3 …who has blessed us with every spiritual gift

 

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Talk Back!

After you listen to the podcast, I would love to hear your thoughts on today’s podcast.

  1. With whom do you compare yourself?
  2. What are your thoughts about the two types comparison outlined in today’s podcast?
  3. How do you view comparison?

 

6 thoughts on “#006 The Root Cause of Comparison”

  1. Thank you so much, for much needed clarification on the consequences of comparison and the reasons for it. Another great topic to talk about with me beloved female friend. Once again, thank you. God Bless you.

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  2. I agree – God has been reminding me of the same thing. It’s hard, though, because “comparison” is all around us. I feel like we are inundated with it through tv, social media – the culture at large. Thankfully, our Creator has the first and last word in this matter and we are His! 🙂

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  3. Pingback: #007 Closed Doors and Grace for the Journey | Words that Matter

  4. Miss L. Elizabeth – this is EXCELLENTLY done!

    Now to your questions:

    1. I compare myself to other women because I have a husband who was caught up in adultery and I have believed the lie (for too long) that I’m not good enough.

    2. I never thought about the root cause of comparison being pride nor have I thought about how comparing self really negates God. Talk about a dose of much needed reality!

    3. See above – I have some work to do….beginning with time in God’s Word and placing truth around me! 🙂

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    • Hello Nicole, I am so sorry to hear of your experience. Its interesting that sometimes these situations highlight areas where we need to mature. I use to struggle with comparing my looks with other women. I didn’t like the fact that I had hair on my legs, I am funny shaped, and my calves are huge. I use to tell God just how I felt, but He asked me, “Who was I to criticize his creation?” He let me know that he thought carefully beforehand about my makeup and He called it Good! That really helped me to accept all the physical parts of me and stop comparing myself to others. I also realized that if God have given me the perfect figure, the perfect, smooth legs, my head would be so big I would not be able to enter the building.

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