My Off-White Sweater 

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

🤫 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕗𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 𝕋𝕚𝕞𝕖🤫

 

Do you see the pure white sweater I am wearing in this picture? It’s actually not as stark white as you think… in fact, it’s pretty old and dingy compared to the new, white joggers that I’m wearing. I have to use my photo-editing apps to whiten it up. It’s funny how at first glance, I thought the two pieces would match perfectly, but once worn, I saw all of the imperfections in my once flawless sweater. That made me think about the word ‘comparison,’ but contrary to what you might think, I’m not about to write about how we shouldn’t compare ourselves to those who we think are better than us (though we shouldn’t, and they’re not.) I want to talk about the dangerous territory we find ourselves in when we compare ourselves to people we look down on. Sometimes we can find ourselves disparaging others because of their sin (either verbally or in our minds.) We might think, ‘Sure, I sin too, but at least I’m not as bad as that person over there’ (See Luke 18:9-14) Think about any number of the hot-button issues we face in today’s culture – have you ever looked at those whom you disagree with with disdain? We might look at our sin and let our pride get in the way, even trying to talk ourselves up with justifications for our sins – ‘It’s not like I’m hurting anyone,’ ‘I’ll just always struggle with this,’ or ‘Somebody else made me do this, it’s their fault.’

When we compare ourselves to others, sure, we might look as white as snow – and thank God that in His eyes, through Jesus, we are – BUT when we compare ourselves to The Lamb – our perfect Jesus – and we see His sacrifice, we see how grotesque our sin truly is and our need for repentance. Next time I find myself wanting to justify my sin by looking *down* on others, I’ll instead set aside my pride and look *up* to my Dad in humility, thanking Him for his love and asking Him for forgiveness and help in resisting the temptation of comparison.

 

“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” – Phil. 2:3 

 

Written by Erin C.: Erin served for four years as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!


Think About This: True faith rests upon the character of God and asks no further proof than the moral perfections of the One who cannot lie. It is enough that God has said it. – A.W. Tozer

The Daily Bible Reading: Luke 3 | You can download our 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  1 John 4:7-8

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