Have you ever compared yourself or your circumstances to others? I know I have. The voice in my head says, “I wish I were more like…,” or “I’m not as successful/attractive/respected/thin/etc. as…,” or “They have it all together, not like me.” Sometimes the voice sounds more along the lines of, “I’m glad I’m not like…,” or “They should try harder to make better choices as I do,” or “Their kids are so messed up, not like mine. What did they do wrong?”

Sound familiar? When we compare ourselves to others, we fall into the enemy’s trap of believing what I call “Ladder Lies.” This is where we are ruled by the worldly perspective that we exist in a system of hierarchies, where some are above and some fall below, and the goal of life is to climb up and keep others down.

Judgements are Based on Insecurity

At their core, these lies are judgments. Whether we judge ourselves as inferior or superior, judgments are based on insecurity in who we are in Christ: existing on an equal plane with others as “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). As Paul described, “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female, since you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Ladder Lies oppose the Kingdom’s perspectives of equality and unity.

If we are not to judge (Matthew 7:1) or be ruled by worldly regulations (Colossians 2:20), what do we exchange for our Ladder Lies? Colossians 3:14 instructs us to, “Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”

When we look at others through Christ’s loving eyes, we see ourselves as equal and unified. We stand side-by-side before God’s throne, “holy and dearly loved” (Colossians 3:12). Comparing ourselves to others robs us of contentment. Ladder Lies are forms of idolatry that lead to anger, hatred, malice, and wrath. Knowing who we are in Christ and standing in equality and unity with others are the pathways to peace.

Allow Peace to Rule our Hearts

We are to “let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). If God is the God of peace, as Paul calls Him, walking in His Spirit means allowing His peace to rule our hearts. We are not to focus on things we don’t have or circumstances we didn’t expect; instead, we are to focus on Christ’s ongoing redemption and “give thanks in everything” (I Thessalonians 5:18). When we release our judgments, the peace of God replaces those Ladder Lies, and the hierarchical ways of the world fade as our hearts are ruled by peace. We will then be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).

Prayer

Lord Jesus, cleanse my thoughts of all judgments of myself and others. Remove my Ladder Lies and all hierarchical perspectives, and help me to put on love. Allow me to see myself and others through Your eyes, not the eyes of the world. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so my heart is ruled by peace. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.