The Poison of Comparison

Wentzville | Matt Hess
October 18, 2026
Psalm 73:1-3

“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalm 73:1-3 (ESV)

1. The Settled CONFESSION: God is good. 

“Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.” Psalm 73:1 

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8 
 
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17 
 
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:32 

2. The Spiritual CRISIS: I Almost Slipped. 

 
“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.” Psalm 73:2 
 
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 
 
“But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.” Galatians 6:4-5 
 
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” James 3:14-16 

3. The Sinful CAUSE: I Envied the Wicked. 

 
“For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalm 73:3 
 
“Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day.” Proverbs 23:17 
 
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Proverbs 14:30 
 
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21 
 
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 
 
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 
 
Comparison Checkup: 
1. Whose life makes you feel dissatisfied with your own?  
2. What do they have that you believe would finally satisfy you?  
3. Are you comparing their visible blessings with your invisible burdens? 
4. Has their success made you question God’s goodness to you? 
5. Have you started admiring something God has warned you against? 
  
Comparison Killers: 
1. Confess your envy specifically.  
2. Count your blessings precisely. 
3. Cover them in prayer. 
4. Cut off the fuel. 
5. Celebrate without competing. 
 
“Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 
 
“But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.” Psalm 73:16-17 
 
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26