Setting the Standard

II Corinthians 10:12

“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.” 

With what do you compare your actions or the actions of others? 

 Do you find yourself frequently saying “if that were me, I would…”?  As humans, we have a tendency see the world through our own filter. We gauge our actions by our intentions and the rest of the world by what we would do in the same situation..

Many of us, if we were willing to admit it, feel a little smug when we compare ourselves to others. We see people dressing in a certain way; going to certain places; and saying certain words. We think “I would never do that.”  After that comparison, we stand a little taller, knowing that we are stacking up next to our peers.

Other times, we compete against ourselves, trying to outperform our personal best.  We try to live up to a certain quality.  We see the world only through our own experiences.  As Joyce Meyer is known to say, “We look at ourselves through rose colored glasses, but at others through a magnifying glass.”

The passage today puts things in a new perspective.  We should not look at ourselves, our actions, our words and judge them.  Why?  Because the results would be a shifting, variable measurement.  We have to line ourselves up against the Word of God.  That is the only time we can get a true estimation of where we are and how we are doing.

Maybe this time, and in this circumstance, I get angry but I manage to keep from saying something wrong.  But inside I am spewing all kinds of evil thoughts.  Looking at my last performance, I feel pretty good.  But compared to the Bible that says, “Be angry and sin not” (Ephesians 4:26), I come up way short of the mark.

Today, accept the challenge in this Scripture to not behave as the unwise, comparing yourself with measurements you choose.  Instead, reflect on the Word of God and Jesus’ example.  Then you will know your true quality.

Lord, without your help we do not have the capacity to do anything good.  Please help us to aim higher, trying to please you rather than ourselves.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.  

                                      Sherri