News has broken recently that of all things, “Iron” Mike Tyson will be starring in his own Broadway play entitled, “Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth,” directed by Spike Lee and will open August 2. Years ago in my teenage years, I was a big fan of Mike Tyson, AKA “Kid Dynamite.” I watched just about every one of his heavyweight boxing fights, cheering and rooting for one who in his prime seemed unstoppable. I even toiled countless hours until I was able to conquer him in his Nintendo game, “Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!” Yet, his very public life has taken a familiar downward spiral out of control. Years later, he is capitalizing on such with his life exposed on the stage for all to see, reminding us of other public figures whose lives crashed and burned and are trying to turn around their lives later in life (i.e., Charlie Sheen). No, as much of a fan as I was early in both of our lives, I will not be traveling to New York, NY, to watch this. However, it will not surprise me that many others will.
I am as the ordinary person—I like to read biographies. In the past, I have happened to enjoy watching the various biographies featured on the History Channel. Nevertheless, there is a subtle problem that may tempt some with such—if we are not careful, then we may like to watch the “train wrecks” of the lives of various people, because we enjoy comparing their lives with our own. We watch others make a mess of their lives through a variety of wrong, immoral and generally bad choices, and then when we finish reading or watching a summation, we conclude, “Well, that was enjoyable. I sure am glad that I am better than that!” We may not say or think those exact words, but that may be the sentiment of our hearts, if we are not careful.
Paul made a very important statement in his second epistle to the church in Corinth—one that is worthy of memorization: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12). For many, it is too tempting to compare ourselves with others. In fact, it was a primary problem with the Pharisees. Jesus taught about the self-righteous nature of this Jewish group by illustrating the Pharisee who went into the temple to pray and began comparing himself with others, including the publican (Luke 18:9-14). Thus, if we are not careful, we will develop the same disposition as the Pharisees—condescending, hyper-critical (cf. Matt. 7:1-5) and full of pride. People in such circumstances rarely show compassion or concern for others (cf. Luke 10:30-36). We watch from afar and revel in the plight of others, patting ourselves on the back for not being as bad as they are.
Thus, the root of this problem is an unwholesome and unhealthy view of self as compared with an unwholesome and unhealthy view of others. When we view ourselves, we should never compare ourselves, because in the grand scheme of things, “There is none righteous, no, not one…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10, 23). As I look at others, I should remember that everyone is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). Every time I look in the eyes of any individual, I should remember that God loves them and that Jesus died for them (John 3:16). Thus, I should never revel in pleasure at their misfortune, but seek to aid with compassion. As Paul states earlier in the context, one of the great dangers of measuring and comparing ourselves with others is the tendency to judge by outward appearances (cf. 2 Cor. 10:7; 1 Sam. 16:7). To avoid this great temptation, we should remember his words elsewhere: “…in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Phil. 2:3). Let us avoid the trap of measuring and comparing ourselves with others! If we should ever succeed, let us give all glory to God and not to ourselves (2 Cor. 10:17-18).