by Carel Chan
Most of us grew up listening to folk tales like “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”. In this imaginary tale, we are told that Snow White, the princess, has a vain and jealous stepmother who attempts to kill her. All because of an obsessive vanity and the result of delusive comparison. We are all familiar with the famous line from this folktale, “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?”. And for all the years, Snow White’s stepmother, the Queen,has always been the fairest one, until one day, the mirror gives her a different answer –Snow White is the fairest of them all. The thought of losing her status and her beauty to another is unbearable. Jealousy burns within her, and she begins to plot to kill Snow White.
Comparison leading to jealousy is very dangerous. Such comparison and jealousy can distract and detract us from God’s purpose in our lives, and from living a God-fearing and fulfilling life. Before Jesus began His ministry on earth, John the Baptist was called by God to go and prepare the way for Jesus. And in doing so, John the Baptist had made his own disciples. When Jesus started His ministry and began to gain popularity, the disciples of John the Baptist came to John and said, “everybody is going to Him (Jesus) instead of coming to us.” (John 3:26). Envy that springs from the seed of comparison has blurred their vision for their mission.
When scrolling through the posts in Instagram and Facebook, don’t we entertain thoughts of comparison as we watch the lives of others? Don’t we look over others and with a sense of self-conceitedness soar with pride, believing we are better or should deserve more? Don’t we look at another person’s ministry, career, family and become jealous of the successes? We become susceptible to the trap of comparison when we focus on our own achievements, our own abilities and not on Christ and His Kingdom.
Christian Character is built on who we are in Christ through His Word and not who we think we are by benchmarking against the world’s views.
Christian Character is built on who we are in Christ through His Word and not who we think we are by benchmarking against the world’s views. Referencing our identity based on the worldly standards will take us onto a treadmill of endless comparison, tearing apart our identity and inciting jealousy that will cause us to stray from God’s purpose.
Rather listen to the wise words from John the Baptist, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30). Our importance and our prominence must pale in comparison to Christ’s. We must always remember our role and God’s calling in our ministry, our home, and our workplace. Not forgetting that every single success and achievement attained is for our Lord Jesus Christ to take centre stage and get the limelight. The more prominence He has, the greater our joy. And when we doso, we find ourselves ceasing to compare and be set free from the whirlpool of emotional discontentment and strife.
Visit our Sermon Series on “Christian Character”, for more inspirational messages on building Character that counts for God.