November 6, 2022
“So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God. Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So, let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” Romans 14:10-13 (NLT)
Some time ago I was asked to teach a medical terminology class to sign-language interpretation students. For me, it was a refresher from nursing school. Medical terminology is simply the study and framework of medical word building through a study of root words, prefixes, and suffixes. For example, using “itis” as a suffix signifies inflammation. Adding to the root word ‘cell’ becomes cellulitis – meaning inflammation of the “cells’ in our body. By using the prefix “dys” in front of the word functional becomes dysfunctional – signifying abnormal, difficult, or painful. Using the suffix “ectomy” signifies surgical removal of something, for example, tonsillectomy – meaning the removal of the tonsils.
After attending an awesome 3-day Summit this week and noting all of the comments and testimonials from all types of people: attorneys, physicians, and many in corporate as well as all levels of the economic scale. What kept coming to mind as many of them presented their, professional, corporate, and ministry achievements/involvements, was the word comparisons. So, it came to me to use the suffix “itis” and create the word “comparisonsitis.” Now you possibly will not find it in the dictionary or in the thesaurus or even a lexicon, however, I believe it can be related biblically.
Now, I am not saying it was a real issue, it was just from some of the conversations that the issue of comparisons was relevant in regard to personal achievements. It reminded me of the damaging effects of making comparisons. I believe that one of the most debilitating emotional and spiritual diseases in the Body of Christ and society is “COMPARISONITIS.” Again, you will not find this disease or illness listed in any of the medical books or on WebMD.com one of my medical sites, just trust me, comparisonsitis is widespread as well as a destructive disease! It is a crippling disease that causes one to have the tendency to measure one’s worth by comparing oneself to others.
Comparisonsitis makes one jealous! Look how Jacob’s wealth made Laban’s sons jealous in Genesis chapter 31. After Jacob became rich, some of Laban’s sons became jealous and accused him of stealing their inheritance. But despite Laban’s harsh work environment, God proved Himself faithful to Jacob. Now for a minute, just be honest! It is sometimes difficult to be happy when others are doing better than you are. To compare your success with that of others is a dangerous way to judge the quality of your life. By comparing ourselves to others, we may be giving jealousy a foothold. We can avoid jealousy by rejoicing in others’ successes. Romans 12:14 reminds us to “Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.” (NLT)
Do you suffer from “comparisonsitis?” Do you have a tendency to compare yourself to others? Do you try to build up your self-esteem by looking down on others, talking down, or about others? How do you establish your identity? Are you always talking about others, forming opinions that you have no basis or proof for your accusations? If so, you suffer from “comparisonitis.”
Remember, comparisonitis is dangerous! It is an emotional and spiritual disease that can kill you! It will infect your heart and wound your spirit and the toxicity will kill dreams and purpose! Consider the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9–14. He was so proud of himself that he started off his prayer with a comparison: “God, I thank you that I am not like other men.” Do you do that? If so, you are standing on shaky ground because your identity becomes uncertain.
WHAT IS THE DANGER OF COMPARING OURSELVES TO OTHERS?
♦ Comparing ourselves to others takes our focus off Jesus. 1 Samuel 8:20 “We want to be like the nations around us. Our king will govern us and lead us into battle.” (NLT)
♦ Comparing ourselves to others can result in jealousy. 1 Samuel 18:7-9. This was their song: “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!” This 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.
♦ Comparing ourselves to others is absolute foolishness. If we’re better, we’ll be proud and that isn’t good. If we’re worse, we’ll be ashamed and that isn’t good. 2 Corinthians 10:12 Oh, don’t worry; we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! (NLT)
♦ Comparing ourselves to others and wanting what they have may cause us to miss what God wants for us. John 21:21-22. Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You follow me.” (NLT)
♦ Comparing ourselves to others may lead to false righteousness, thinking we are better than someone else. Luke 18:11-14. The proud Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don’t sin, I don’t commit adultery, I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored. (P-NLT)
Comparisonitis Is The Thief of Joy!
RX: A HUMBLE 
HEART: Believers are not to condemn one another, because all of us will be judged by Christ. Romans 14:10-13. “ So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God. Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So, let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (NLT)
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your word that gives us clear instructions for how we should live holy lives as You have commanded. Help us to rejoice with others in their successes, not wish their successes were ours, in the Precious, Powerful and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.
“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect Your principles! Then I will not be disgraced when I compare my life with Your commands.” Psalm 119:5-6. (NLT)