Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
God
gives every child unique gifts and talents. Adam gave every child (through the
transmission of sin Romans 5:16-19) a heart that is disposed to all manner of
evil thoughts and intents. A child should learn at an early age “not to think
more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound
judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).
Parents,
on the other hand should take Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 10:12 to heart
and avoid comparing their children (favorably or unfavorably) to other
children. Proper biblical comparisons may be made in the following directions:
Forward
looking – by comparing where the child is today to the biblical standard of
maturity as demonstrated in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:13-15; 2 Corinthians 3:18), or –
Backward
looking – by comparing the child’s spiritual maturity today to his own
spiritual maturity at various points in the past (2 Peter 1:3-12; Revelation 2:2-5).
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