January 16th, 2021
Killing Me Softly Devotional Series – Week 1 – Comparison - Saturday – Pastor Todd
Conversations of Grace
Romans 9:20 (NIV)
The Double Trap
This past Sunday we referred to comparison as a trap. In actuality, it’s a double-trap. Comparison itself is sinful as indicated by the command that we are not to tell God what he should have done for us or how he should have made us. Paul says it this way,
“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'
Not only is comparison itself sinful, but it also leads to other sins as well. Comparison can cause us to be jealous, it can bring resentment, and it can lead to foolish misadventures in our lives seeking to be “more” or different than what God ever intended. Stop and reread that last sentence. That’s a pretty lousy set of options.
Still, if all the negative consequences haven’t convinced you to work hard at avoiding comparison, consider the positives. People who have learned how not to compare are happier, are much more delightful to be around, and have a greater sense of specific divine purpose. Now doesn’t that sound like a lot better way to live your days this year?
Every one of us risks falling into the comparison trap. There is no magic cure for it, so be on guard throughout your lifetime. In the end, those who will avoid spending their lives looking to the left and the right here will enjoy their Heavenly Father’s approval someday up there.
Conversations of Grace
Romans 9:20 (NIV)
The Double Trap
This past Sunday we referred to comparison as a trap. In actuality, it’s a double-trap. Comparison itself is sinful as indicated by the command that we are not to tell God what he should have done for us or how he should have made us. Paul says it this way,
“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, `Why did you make me like this?'
Not only is comparison itself sinful, but it also leads to other sins as well. Comparison can cause us to be jealous, it can bring resentment, and it can lead to foolish misadventures in our lives seeking to be “more” or different than what God ever intended. Stop and reread that last sentence. That’s a pretty lousy set of options.
Still, if all the negative consequences haven’t convinced you to work hard at avoiding comparison, consider the positives. People who have learned how not to compare are happier, are much more delightful to be around, and have a greater sense of specific divine purpose. Now doesn’t that sound like a lot better way to live your days this year?
Every one of us risks falling into the comparison trap. There is no magic cure for it, so be on guard throughout your lifetime. In the end, those who will avoid spending their lives looking to the left and the right here will enjoy their Heavenly Father’s approval someday up there.
Posted in Killing Me Softly
Recent
Archive
2024
January
New Year, Fresh StartA Good Plan for the New YearCall on MeHope Has a NameHolidays in Rear ViewHolinessHow to Have our Mind TransformedNew Year, New YouA Pattern of RenewalVictory in JesusFear Knot? Fear Not.Seek the LORDBetterWhere to Place your TrustRadical GraceGenerosity God's WayThe Poor and NeedyThe Open Hand ConceptA Need that Burdens your HeartHow's Your Heart?Who Are You?Testing in the Wilderness
February
CallingDon't HideWhere You AreJust the Two of UsInvesting in the Kingdom of GodThe Golden RuleAgainst the GrainUnexplainable JoyThe Power of God's WordFollow MeThe God of the ImpossibleOut on a LimbWe All Face ItTrue JusticeGatherGood SoilDon't Put God in a BoxBe BraveCulture CheckFeed His Sheep. Love His People.Jesus Revealed
March
Jesus in His GloryNot QuantityHow Much God Loves ChildrenWhere Two or Three are GatheredLike Little ChildrenFocusAmazing GraceBeing Confronted By JesusKingdom FruitWedding AttireCome with a Hungry HeartLive and Lead Like HimTough LoveBe on your GuardKeep WatchTalentsSlow DownBeing Led by the SpiritKingdom WatchThey Are Us. We Are Them.Jesus Gave His All For UsHe is Risen, Indeed
April
The Most Important Question Ever AskedExchanging Death for a Better LifeThe Space BetweenHe's got the KeysI want to know HimJoy of the LordNeverthelessFullness of JoyFavorites"Try it, you'll like it."He Created MeHe Chose to Die for MeGod's Love for UsAn Eternal LoveNothing will SeparateThe Salt ShakerThe Word Brings HopeMeditate on God's WordA Well Lit PathEverything Wears OutEnjoy itModeration found in Contentment
Categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments