Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 10:12, 13
In 2 Corinthians 10:12 & 13, Paul warns us to use caution when comparing ourselves to other people saying, “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. We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the field God has assigned to us, a field that reaches even to you”
Comparing yourself to others can be discouraging, leaving you feeling as if you come up short.
Comparing yourself with yourself can cause you to think more highly of yourself than you should. It can cause you to think that you are better, more talented, stronger, wiser, or smarter than you really are.
However, comparing yourself to people who are more mature spiritually can keep you from thinking that you are smarter or wiser than you really are and can keep you from bragging about your salvation or spiritual gifts or growth.
That’s what Paul was getting at in today’s verse. He wanted the Corinthian people – and us – to remember that there are people who are more mature and wiser spiritually than we are.
We need to be thankful for our salvation and spiritual gifts. We also need to be careful that we don’t allow the fact that we’re Christians or that we have a specific spiritual gift to cause us to think that these things make us better or more spiritual than other people.
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23 & 24
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are so much wiser than I am. Help me to humbly look to more mature Christians for guidance and wisdom.
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