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The Poison of Comparison

St. Charles | Bob Ingle
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 (ESV)

“You are good and do good.” Psalm 119:68 (ESV)

Never judge the goodness of God by a chapter God hasn’t finished writing.

“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 (ESV)

2. THE SPIRITUAL CRISIS: I Almost Slipped

“But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped.” Psalm 73:2 (ESV)

You don’t have to fall to be in danger; you only have to lose your footing.

“…you hold my right hand.” Psalm 73:23b (ESV)

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24 (ESV)

“He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)

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 (ESV)

“Let not your heart envy sinners, but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:17–18 (ESV)

Comparison makes the wicked look blessed and the believer feel forgotten.

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.


Having more without God is never better than having God with less.

“Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)

At the cross, the worst thing happened to the best Person so the best thing could happen to people like us.

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