Comparison is the Thief of Joy.

Real Dudes,
I was watching The Voice the other night and a coach reminded one of the contestants that “comparison is the thief of joy.” 
Does the Lord want us to compare ourselves with each other? Do you struggle with comparing yourself with others…either you’re better than them, or they’re better than you and now you’re in your own head. Does He want our joy to overflow in all circumstances? Are you allowing anything or anyone to steal your joy today? Consider the following passages below concerning comparing and joy and ask the Lord to bring anything to surface this morning that only He can help you have victory over. 

Comparing: 

• Reveals a character of foolishness/ignorance. 
  • 2 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT) 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!
• Draws attention to self. Refrain from promoting yourself. Choose Humility instead. 
  • Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
• It’s ok if others congratulate you. Just be sure to give all the praise and glory to the Lord. 
  • Proverbs 26:12 (NLT) There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT) Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise.
  • Proverbs 27:2 (NLT) Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips.

Joy: 

• The joy of the Lord is a continuously full and overflowing kind of joy. 
  • John 15:11 (NLT) I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
• Satan would love nothing more than to steal even the smallest portion of that kind of joy. 
  • John 10:10 (NLT) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
• But understand this…Not even Satan… 
  • John 16:22 (NLT) So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
• Why? Because the word “of” in Galatians 5:22 and Nehemiah 8:10c is a possessive word. Satan can’t take something that belongs to God. Do you believe that truth?
  • Galatians 5:22 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
  • Nehemiah 8:10c (NLT) Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”
• Therefore, 
  • Philippians 4:4 (NLT) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!
  • Ephesians 4:27 (ESV) and give no opportunity to the devil.
    • Yes, no opportunity to let the seed of anger take root as that passage is speaking about, but also no opportunity to the seed of all that is opposite of joy in your life…don’t allow him the smallest space in your life where it appears as though joy is absent or stolen from you. 

Men...give Satan no foothold in this area of comparing in your life. Praying for each of us in this area. 
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

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