When it comes to deceptions that can lead to our destruction, most of them are conditions of the heart rather than outward actions.  Arrogance finds itself at, or at least close to, the top of the list.  Self-deception is probably the most dangerous deception of all.  Many people will lose their souls because they are not honest with themselves about their spiritual condition.

Some of this is caused by comparing oneself to others.  This is especially dangerous when Christians compare themselves to people in the world.  The world has a moral standard that is much lower than God’s.

The world pushes and promotes the drinking of alcohol.  Drunkenness is legitimized by famous actors and athletes who often get intoxicated in public and make newsworthy scenes.  Many of them make commercials advertising how great this wine or that whiskey is.  These famous people simply reflect the world’s view of the consumption of alcohol—it is almost universally accepted.

There are more and more Christians who argue that social drinking is okay, and would even have to admit, if they were pressed about it, to getting a little drunk on special occasions.  Nevertheless, when comparing themselves to the majority of people in the world, their dabbling in drunkenness does not seem all that bad.

The problem is, the world is not the standard by which we will be judged on the last day.  That standard is God’s Word (John 12:48).  What does God’s Word say about drinking and drunkenness?  Listen:

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (ESV)
⁹  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV)
¹⁸  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

It is important to point out that Paul is not simply condemning drunkenness in this passage, but the process of getting drunk, for such is the meaning of drunk (methyskō) in this verse.  So, the Word of God, which will judge us on the last day, condemns both getting drunk and being drunk.

Christians must also be careful of comparing themselves to each other.  Comparing themselves to one another was one of the fatal flaws of the unfaithful saints at Corinth (2 Corinthians 10:12).  Just because you pray more than someone else in Christ does not mean that you pray enough.  Just because you do not gossip as much as others in the church does not mean that you don’t gossip too much.  Even a little gossip is too much (Matthew 12:36).

Thinking you are living a good enough life to please God, just because you are living better than others, is a flawed way of thinking and can cause you to lose your soul.  Let us all be sure that we are comparing ourselves to the Word of God, not to others who are just as flawed as we are.   

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.