1 Samuel 18:8-9 Then Saul was very angry, and the saying displeased him; and he said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed only thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” So Saul eyed David from that day forward.
Comparison kills compassion. Comparison can be a huge hindrance and stumbling block to our progression. “Stay in your lane. Comparison kills creativity and joy.” A runner who glances back to see where the other runners are, will slow down. They look back as they are afraid that others will catch-up with them. Running techniques strictly prohibit sprinters to look back while they are running. It can also make them cut into someone else’s track and be disqualified.
‘If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.’
This is exactly what happened to the first king of Israel. He was angry, displeased and enraged at the progress of a young ruddy shepherd boy David. David was as young as or even younger than his sons. Rather than being a father figure to the budding champion, Saul compared himself with David which made him astringent and angry. Comparison embittered Saul with envy and insecurity destroyed his life. Saul misused his power and position to stunt David’s growth. The more Saul tried to hinder David’s progress, the more David became powerful. And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him (1 Chronicle 11:9). The downfall of Saul started when he started to compare himself with the young champ David.
Comparison can be a huge hindrance:
1. Cower: Comparison will make us cringe and cower. Comparison made Saul an envious coward. Saul was a great warrior and the king of Israel but he was intimidated by a young shepherd boy who did not even know how to handle a sword or a spear. Comparison made him cheap, silly and cowardly.
2. Covet: We have everything we need to accomplish all that God wants us to do. We don’t need the talent, treasure or tapestry of others. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17). Do not covet the gifts, gold or glory of others.
3. Callous: The heart of the envious becomes callous, crude and cold. Saul hunted David all his life but died a pathetic death. Compassion vanished when comparison, insecurity and envy gripped Saul’s heart. Comparison eroded compassion and turned Saul into a callous beast.
Comparison turns into the rocks on the road of success and stumbles progress.
1 Samuel 19:10-12 Saul threw his spear at David and tried to pin him to the wall. David jumped out of the way, so the spear missed him and stuck in the wall.
Prayer: Father in Heaven, let there be not even a hint of destructive comparison in me which leads to anger, envy, hatred and destruction. Amen.
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