Many years ago when we had a houseful of children, we were invited to our neighbor’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Of course we brought part of the meal and afterwards, our hostess, our girls, and I were cleaning up.  She had only one child and she remarked that this was a big job to feed and clean up after so many people.  I replied with just a hint of self-pity, “Welcome to my world.  This is my life every day.”  Thinking she’d feel appropriately sorry for me, I was surprised to hear that she actually envied (not in a bad way) our bustling, never-a-dull-moment household.  I had sometimes envied her quiet, organized household so I had to giggle when I realized we had been looking at each other and wishing for what the other had.

Every one of us is susceptible to looking at others and comparing ourselves to them.  But in doing so, we take our eyes off our own relationship with Jesus and we open ourselves up to the temptations of envy or pride.  We go in the direction we look.  We know from accident reports that drivers tend to steer in the direction of their gaze.  If they’re distracted by something on the side of the road, unconsciously they steer toward it because that’s where their attention is.  That’s why it’s so important that we focus on where we actually want to go.  People of faith affirm that they want to follow God.  In order to do that, we have to keep our eyes on him.  As soon as we start looking around us instead of steadily at Jesus, we become distracted and veer off course.  Looking at people and comparing ourselves to them can tempt us to have wrong attitudes.  We’re not doing as well as they are and we want what they have- envy.  The sin of envy can be wanting the material things others have motivating us to get them by any means.  Or it can be wanting the success, power, and influence of others motivating us to find fault and even hate them.  Envy fueled the leaders’ hatred of Jesus and motivated them to plot his death.
“Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.”  Ecclesiastes 4:6
“He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.”  Matthew 27:18

Or we’re doing much better than others so we think we’re better, smarter, or more dedicated than they are- pride.
“Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector!   I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’  I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 18:9-14

Comparison is ingrained in our human nature.  We don’t want to face who we are and what we should be doing, so we look around at what others are doing.  The Lord had to correct Peter when he started to compare himself to one of the other disciples.  The Lord had just given Peter an assignment that would be his life work from then on.  Jesus also gave Peter a hint about his death.  As would any of us, Peter was trying to come to terms with these two heavy realities.  I think he may have been overwhelmed and tried to deflect the Lord’s hard commission and prophecy.  So he asked the Lord, “What about him?” pointing to another disciple.  Basically Jesus told him to mind his own business.  He must make sure he’s doing what he’s supposed to do, not policing what someone else is doing.  But how often we take our eyes off what God wants us to do and we ask, “What about him/her, Lord?  How come I have it harder than them?”  And the Lord’s answer is always, “What is that to you?  As for you, follow me.”  

Jesus said [to Peter], “Then feed my sheep.  I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” 
Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” 
Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved . . .  Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”  
John 21:17-22

I shouldn’t compare myself to anyone else.  I have gifts, assignments, and a destiny that are unique to me.  I’m fully responsible for being obedient to God as he directs me.  Other people have other gifts, assignments and destinies that are none of my business.  They are responsible to obey God as he directs them.

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.  For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”  Galatians 6:4-5

We are each commanded to check ourselves constantly because we easily veer off the path.  We must keep checking to make sure we are living up to the standard God gave us.  His standard is set down for us in the Bible.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”  2 Timothy 3:16
“But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.”  1 Corinthians 11:31
 “But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.”  Revelation 2:4-5

It isn’t helpful for us or others if we compare ourselves to others.  It breeds sinful attitudes.

We should compare ourselves to the standard of Scripture.  Are we being obedient every day to what we know is right?

We should compare ourselves to ourselves.  Are we progressing forward and being increasingly obedient?  Or have we slipped backward and need to get back on the right path in some area?

We must keep bringing our focus back to the One we are following.