Do you ever find yourself comparing your Christian walk with other believers? Do you think in your heart that another believer is more righteous than you, or that you are more righteous than them? Do you compare your good deeds, faithful church attendance, bible reading or prayer life with others? Do you judge others who have fallen into sin, or are acting in a way that you deem as “unchristian-like” behavior? Paul teaches us to redirect those thoughts from others, and use that energy to examine ourselves. Galatians chapter 6 verse 4 says:
"Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else,"
Christianity is certainly an outward faith. But in many regards the walk takes place in our hearts. The kind of “pride” Paul is talking about here is not pride that would exalt ourselves, but pride in knowing that we are right with God, and also remembering that your ability to obey comes from the aid of the Holy Spirit. This kind of pride leads to peace, not sin. It is human nature to compare ourselves with others. Whether we realize it or not, we compare our jobs, families, possessions, physical appearance, and more with those we come in contact with. Whether that is good or bad, I can’t say. But I can say that our Christian walk should not be a competition because that is what Paul says. So I encourage you, to run your own race. Yes, we should care about others, we should disciple others, and we should correct others in the church, but we shouldn’t compare our walk with others. Because that kind of comparison only leads to unholy pride or condemnation.
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“Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else.” Paul says that we need to test our own actions. Consider how your walk is going compared to the word of God, not compared to someone else. If we are able to examine ourselves in light of God’s word, we can take holy pride in our walk if it is in line with scriptures, realizing that our success is not our own, but it is because of the power and the aid of the Holy Spirit. That is why Paul can say that if he boasts he boasts in the Lord.