Pride and Envy - Two Sins of Comparison
I’ve written about the challenges caused by our culture of comparison with others and the impact of technology as an accelerator. Along this continuum of comparison with others, are two of the capital sins that I’d like to explore more specifically, pride, and envy. Considered capital (deadly) sins, both lead to other sins and vices. I’m often amazed by how our Christian values not only create a roadmap for moral guidance, but for our happiness. In this case, comparing ourselves to others keeps us from happiness, and freeing ourselves can lead to a peaceful mind and heart.
With pride and envy, while very different thought patterns, we're comparing our worth, our achievements, or possibly our material possessions with others. Sin, defined as something that separates us from God, often includes where we focus our attention. So, when our focus and energy is on comparing ourselves to others, we can’t be focused on our own path at the same time
With pride, we’re putting our own needs or value above others, and then taking credit (perhaps privately) for our superiority. It exists when we look down on others, in a way, dehumanizing them. Pride leads to isolation, severed relationships, and separation from God whether we’re aware of it or not. According to Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
With envy we’re comparing ourselves negatively with others, so once again, our focus and energy remain in comparison to others instead of recognizing that God created all of us and we’re just as worthy as the next person (imperfections and all). “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” James 3:16. Not having self-acceptance leaves us vulnerable to so much pain and suffering.
Pride and envy derive from the foundation in that one human is inherently better than another. And as the world gets smaller through technology advances, we face more temptation to compare ourselves to others. It’s important to stay grounded in the truth that God created every one of us and that we each have our own path. Individually we are God’s creations and together we are a Body of Christ.
This is all GREAT NEWS! This means that we can free ourselves of comparisons to others. Not only is it exhausting, but more importantly, it’s God’s will!!
