…But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. — 2 Corinthians 10:12
Early in my journey, a heavy cloak of inferiority seemed to cling to me. Words like inadequacy, insufficiency, incompetence, and deficiency echoed the sentiments that threatened to define my self-perception. Today, I want to share the lessons I’ve learned from that period, alongside a profound truth discovered in 2 Corinthians 10:12, which states, “…They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” If you’ve ever wrestled with similar feelings and yearn for freedom, I believe the principle within this verse holds the key to your liberation.
When our teaching ministry was in its nascent stages, the question often arose: Why would anyone invite us to minister in their church or conference? Living in a smaller city, our connections were limited, making this a seemingly logical concern. While I held firm to the belief that God had called us to share His Word globally, doubts crept in about the practicality of this calling. We were unknown. Our voices were yet to be heard in Bible teaching. Logically, there appeared to be no reason for invitations to come our way.
We embarked on scheduling meetings in smaller churches across the United States, embracing every open door and opportunity, even home Bible studies. Yet, the adversary would frequently assault my thoughts, reigniting old insecurities: You’ll never achieve anything significant or on a large scale. Your ministry will be confined to small gatherings! Sharing these struggles with Denise after such meetings, she would offer encouragement. But the devil persistently pursued me with accusations of impending failure, whispering that insignificance would be my lifelong reality.
These attacks intensified when we attended conferences and seminars featuring other speakers. Instead of finding inspiration, I vividly remember the devil’s insidious whispers:
- “You don’t measure up to these other speakers.”
- “You are insignificant compared to them.”
- “Your style is unlike theirs.”
- “You’ll live and die a failure because you’re too different and will never be accepted.”
- “You ARE nothing and HAVE nothing valuable to offer in comparison.”
I fell into the trap of measuring and comparing myself against others, inevitably concluding that I was hopelessly inadequate. The devil relentlessly tried to overwhelm me with feelings of inadequacy, deficiency, and inferiority. The more I engaged in self-comparison, the more diminished I felt—until the Spirit of God intervened, reaching into my heart and setting me free!
I share this deeply personal struggle because I know many others grapple with self-comparison as I once did. This might be your battle. If so, I want to share the liberating truth I found in scripture. The principle I discovered in this verse can set you free too!
The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, articulated a crucial principle regarding this very issue: “…But they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12). The term “wise” derives from the Greek word sophos, signifying specially enlightened, wise, sharp, or bright. Therefore, this verse could be interpreted as: “Comparing yourselves among yourselves is not the most enlightened or intelligent thing to do!”
From personal experience, I can affirm that habitually comparing yourself to others is far from wise. It’s a futile pursuit that amplifies feelings of inadequacy and inferiority. The word “comparing” comes from the Greek term sunkrino, depicting two or more individuals standing side by side to meticulously examine themselves in relation to each other, followed by a critical judgment to determine superiority. This process designates one as superior and the other as inferior. It is a worldly endeavor devoid of spiritual benefit. It elevates one while diminishing another, failing to acknowledge the diverse graces of God within the Christian community.
The Corinthian believers were engaged in internal strife, vying for prominence. Paul’s verse served as a rebuke for their comparisons. Unlike my struggle with inferiority, their issue was feelings of superiority, leading to fierce competition. Paul wrote to correct their comparative behavior, urging them to cease their infighting in the quest to prove spiritual dominance.
In the March 4 Sparkling Gem, we will delve into the detrimental spirit of superiority, which should have no place in a believer’s life. However, this verse holds a principle that the Holy Spirit used to liberate me from the spirit of inferiority. Here’s the core message I want to convey today: God deliberately made you distinct from others. You are, in fact, a product of His divine design. Your unique mannerisms, insights, and style—qualities that set you apart—may be precisely what positions you to fulfill a specific purpose.
Undoubtedly, we all have areas needing refinement, and God will reveal these to you progressively. But if you cease comparing yourself to others—if you stop devaluing the very traits that make you stand out—you’ll unlock the door to freedom from inferiority, allowing your unique gifts to shine as God intended.
What troubled me most was feeling so different. This sense of being strange or “less than” others originated in childhood. Even as a child, I perceived myself as different. While boys my age played football, I explored museums. While they discussed baseball, I took art lessons and attended symphonies. Although I was different from my peers, this difference did not equate to inferiority. However, in my youth, the devil exploited these differences, planting seeds of doubt, suggesting something was wrong with me for being different. Years later, as an adult, this ingrained belief resurfaced, trapping me in self-comparison and the persistent feeling of being too different to be accepted.
What I perceived as a negative trait—being “different”—was actually my unique qualification for my calling. Once I grasped that God was the architect of my distinctiveness, I realized I could reflect His light in ways others couldn’t. What I thought was a hindrance was, in fact, my designated place in His plan! Embracing who God created me to be liberated me from the devil’s mental assaults, enabling me to emerge from the shadows and be used by God more fully. I finally embraced the uniqueness that allowed me to shine in my own distinct way.
This can be your story too! You can decide today to abandon the destructive path of self-comparison and its inevitable feelings of inadequacy. Today, choose to celebrate the differences that make you uniquely you!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, I thank You for the unique way You have created me, setting me apart from others. Forgive me for the times I’ve struggled with feeling different. I now understand that my differences distinguish me, and that You specifically made me to fulfill a role that is uniquely mine. I accept Your design for me, and I surrender my life to You, Holy Spirit. I ask for Your guidance in presenting all that I am to the Father, allowing You to refine what needs changing, so that my life brings glory to Jesus Christ.
I pray this in Jesus’ name!
MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY
I declare that who I am is by the grace of God, and He made no errors in my creation! He gifted me with talents, emotions, humor, insights, perspectives, and unique qualities that set me apart. My differences are among my most positive attributes, and I will no longer reject myself for being different. Being different places me in a special category that I will no longer despise, but will use for God’s glory!
I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- Have you ever struggled with feeling “different”? In what ways do you perceive yourself as different from others?
- After reading this message, can you recognize how your uniqueness positions you in a category of your own? Take a moment to list the positive aspects of your uniqueness in your life.
- How can you maximize your unique qualities? Just as every product is known for its unique selling points, what unique value do you offer that distinguishes you from others?
