You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” And maybe, like me, you’ve felt the sting of it. An uncomfortable realization that comparing yourself to others leaves you feeling either inferior or superior.
In truth, comparison often drags us into one of two unhealthy mindsets:
But what if I told you the issue isn’t comparison itself, but who, how and why we compare, and are compared? Often, we run away from the perception of others, only to find ourselves secretly entangled in the perception of others.
Who compares? We are asked to compare ourselves to our accomplishments and find reasons to rejoice in them. This is also so that we do not need to compare ourselves to others.
(NLT) Galatians 6:4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.
In addition to this, our views and perceptions are flawed and need 100% guidance from the Holy Spirit. The true standard is rooted not in human ideals but in something far greater — the Spirit of the Knowledge of God.
Isaiah 11 paints a vivid picture:
“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat…”
Why? Because the Spirit of the Knowledge of the Lord has filled the earth. There is peace, tranquillity, and a lack of hostility — the kind of normalcy we rarely see today.
If we’re honest, today’s “normal” is proof that the knowledge of God is scarce. And that scarcity shows in our lives. Jesus Himself said:
“You will know them by their fruits.”
(See Matthew 7:16)
Those without God often compare themselves to self-made ideals, not God’s will. And yes, God does compare — but in a way that teaches, disciplines, and reveals truth.
Imagine this:
A brilliant scientist walks home late Friday night. She lights a cigarette, pours some wine, and watches porn. Her friend, a guest for the next 7 days, arrives. Later that night, the friend opens her Bible and studies for hours, sipping white chai. Then she visits her friend’s room to ask about a difficult verse. As the friend speaks, God gives the scientist a vision which reveals deep insight into that verse and how it applies to the friend’s life. The scientist shares it calmly, and both return to their separate rooms, full of revelation.
So, who among them is truly walking with Christ? It’s not so black and white now, is it?
Consider the famous story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:40-41):
Martha busied herself with hospitality while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Martha was frustrated and asked Jesus to intervene. But Jesus replied:
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Here, comparison wasn’t the thief of joy. It was the teacher of truth. Jesus used it to reveal the heart posture that mattered most.
Comparison by God is consistent throughout Scripture:
Even in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25), God compares what each servant did with what they were given and judges accordingly.
Yes — but only when done outside of God’s truth.
Comparison can rob joy when it’s driven by a carnal mind: pride, insecurity, or fear. But when rooted in divine insight, it becomes a mirror for growth, a guide toward wisdom, and a call to living holy.
As a tool for discipline, God’s comparisons are to expose the darkness to Light and are founded on Truth.
Don’t let shallow comparison steal your joy. Instead, let the Holy Spirit lead you deeper toward His kind of comparison, His kind of discipline and His standard.
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.”
(2 Corinthians 13:5)
And when you do compare, let it be your works, to Christ in you — the hope of glory.