The COMPARISON CONUNDRUM

Galatians 6:4-5 Message Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Comparison kills the love in me.

Comparison is an “ANTI-Kingdom” way to live.

Genesis 4:3-6 "In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.

The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast."

Genesis 4:6-7 "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.'"

"What do I really want?"

Genesis 4:8 "Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let's go out to the field.'" "While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him."

Genesis 25:27-28 "…Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob."

Comparison kills the love in me.

1 Samuel 18:6-9 . . . . . . women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals. This was their song:

This song made Saul very angry. “Saul has killed his thousands,     and David his ten thousands!” This song made Saul very angry.

“What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

WHERE THERE IS COMPARISON – THERE IS ENVY

John 3:26 "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan— the one you testified about—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."

John 3:27-28 "To this John replied, 'A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, "I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him."

John 3:29,30 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.'"

Shoshben (friend of the groom)

“He must become greater; I must become less.” "My life is not centered in me."

"Who am I comparing myself to?"

"Who am I comparing myself to?" What's the joy God has for me?

"Who am I comparing myself to?" What's the joy God has for me? What are the gifts God has given to me?

"Who am I comparing myself to?" What's the joy God has for me? What are the gifts God has given to me? What's the task God has assigned me?

"When Peter saw him, he asked, 'Lord, what about him?'" John 21:21 "When Peter saw him, he asked, 'Lord, what about him?'"

John 21:22 Jesus answered, “If I want John to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

The COMPARISON CONUNDRUM