• II Corinthians 10:12 “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
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Comparing ourselves to each other is not wise. As believers, we are to compare ourselves to Christ (Eph. 4:13). Of course, we all fail in reaching Christ’s perfection unless we also live by Christ and in Christ by faith. And yet, how often believers think and make comparative statements:

• – “I know you probably think you’ve got a great husband/wife, but let me tell you mine is the best.” (I’ve heard this in testimonies or from the pulpit a lot through the years.)
• – “Your children are the most behaved here. In my opinion, they are the best around here.”
• – “I’m more spiritual than so-and-so because I go to church more, pass out more tracts, etc….”
• – “Our church is the biggest or most spiritual in….”
• – “My diet is a lot better than how they eat.”
• – “You are my favorite preacher.” or “That is the best message I have ever heard.”
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Even in jest, these kinds of statements are not right. Comparative statements and thoughts always engender strife among the brethren. Comparisons also “are not wise”, because they take the focus that should be on Christ and our need for Him and put the attention on sinful us. Here is another one that happens a lot:

• – “My trial is bigger than theirs or harder than theirs.” or “Their prayer request is not so important.”
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We tend to put our hardships above others. We will even listen to prayer requests comparative to what we are going through at the moment. If the believer asks prayer for cancer or heart attack or stroke, they almost always get our attention. Anything else we treat as almost beneath us and our attention. Let us not do that to each other. We are all important. Everyone’s trials are rough on them. Everyone’s family is special. Every believer is important. Stop the comparisons.