Galatians 6:4
“But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting, but to himself alone, and not to another.”
I wanted to spend a second entry on this passage. I will address comparing ourselves to others? Are we to do it. Yes and no. The yes would apply to general placement. Much like the kids are grouped by grade level. There is a general know and skill that a second grader should have. There are probably other general applications. General grouping can be helpful.
When it comes to value that individuals place on themselves we shouldn't compare, but see one another as individuals. This passage encourages having an accurate assessment of ourselves and even celebrating that. However, not to do it in a way that brings shame to one another.
No one likes a braggart. Kids are taught not to do it. Some have never learned that lesson. They still brag. I see it as a weakness. A blindspot that the person hasn't grown past.
As young people are in their teen years, they are developing their self esteem and self concept. There are lots of wounds and people trying to find their place. There is a great need for this topic, to develop their self concept in isolation. Almost like a horse has blinders to limit the distractions, so we should learn to tune others out as we grow in our self concept.
Social media complicates this. There are those that tend to attract followers. The rest of us enjoy them, but can feel "less than" as our posts don't seem to generate much interest.
We may wish that we could generate followers. However, if that isn't our personality, it would be too burdensome to always try to think of the next interesting comment. We are to be content with who we are. If we are trying to be like others, it's ok to check out of that competition.
There are disrupters on our journey towards a good and healthy self concept. I see them as hecklers or bullies. They may have made their comments decades earlier, but we still hear their voices. It takes many more positive comments to erase their words. Happy is the one who succeeds in it.
In this biblical view of not comparing, there is room for everyone. There isn't limited space that has to be fought over. We can be patient and make room. Jesus says in Luke 9:23, 'And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me."' This type of denying ones self is referring to sin or unhealthy self promotion. Some times the Holy Spirit wants us to defer to another in a random area. This doesn't hurt our self concept. It's a good thing that we don't see ourselves as the center of the universe. God is first, others, then ourselves.
Lord, thank You for wanting us to have a healthy self concept. You are such a master at this. Sometimes You make a banquet for us, other times we take the back seat to others. We can trust You with this development.