Measuring themselves by themselves
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( 2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV)
The Apostle Paul had a moment of significant relationship tensions with the Corinthian Church. He was the Apostle who planted this Church in Corinth, but after he left, other ministers came in, including false apostles who made the Corinthians to question the authority of Paul as an Apostle. These false teachers were bragging about their achievements and their Jewish descent.
The Apostle Paul says “they,” these false apostles, “measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves amongst themselves, are not wise.” What a lesson for us all! Your success is not measured by someone’s success or failure. Some people feel threatened when others succeed. Likewise, there are others who try to bring down other people so they can climb higher. This was the case of false Apostles. They discredited the ministry of Paul to gain credibility with the Corinthians. The truth is that the Lord has a plan for all of our lives. The success or failure of another person is not the measuring rod for your success or failure. It is not because everybody failed in something that makes that failure OK for you. You are unique. Do not measure yourself with others. Measure yourself against what God says you are and strive to be all that He designed you to be and do what He has called you to be.
MEDITATE
The Apostle says when they measure themselves amongst themselves, they are not behaving wisely. Why do you think it is not a wise idea to measure yourself by another person’s achievements?
APPLY THE WORD
Do not be threatened by the success of others. Your success is measured by how much you accomplish what God wants you to achieve. Everybody in your entourage may be considered “a success” based on human standards. However, looking at God’s visions for your life, that success standard might be a failure ( substandard) for you because your life is meant for higher things! Keep your eyes focused on what God has for you. Celebrate the success of others. Do not attempt to bring down any person to climb higher. Success is when God says to you “well done my child!”.
PRAY
Ask the Lord for the grace to overcome the temptation of comparing yourself to other people rather than what God has planned for your life.
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