'WE DO NOT...COMPARE OURSELVES.' 2 CORINTHIANS 10:12 NIV

Chuck Swindoll writes: when others don't share your viewpoint, do you find ways to signal your disapproval? How about if somebody drives a newer car, lives in a nicer house, wears their hair a certain way and buys clothes you would never wear? What if they're divorced, or a single parent, or God forbid! In a relationship you don't approve of? Can you live in harmony with them, or do you pull out your comparison rule book? The Bible says we shouldn't compare ourselves...Each of us is an original. Comparing is wrong because it leads to criticism, competition, control, and covetousness. It's an indicator that you're insecure and that grace is a foreign concept to you. Grace means freeing others to be themselves and losing the legalistic attitude that requires them to conform to your standards. Paul addresses this: who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand, (Romans 14:4 NASB). Note the words, who are you to judge? Back off; stop trying to do God's job!

Gladys Hunt writes: Acceptance means you're valuable just as you are...you aren't forced into someone else's idea...you can talk to about how you feel...and why...and someone really cares...you can try out ideas without being shot down. You can even express heretical thoughts and discuss them with intelligent questioning. You feel safe. No one will pronounce judgment...even though they don't agree with you. It doesn't mean you'll never be corrected...it's simply means it's safe to be you. When you can say that, and mean it, you're growing in grace!

Evangelist Philip Jegede’s Reading Courtesy of DWFT: Acts 18-19, Luke 9:37-45, Ps 42:6-11, Pr 16:17-19 www.mpbs247.org