Teaching summary
In this message, Pastor Leonard Rola addresses the deep confusion and fear believers experience when they compare their lives, healings, or outcomes with those of others. He explains how comparison leads to guilt, shame, pride, or condemnation and pulls believers away from Christ. Using Scripture and personal testimony, he teaches that faith grows only by fixing our eyes on Jesus, not on people or circumstances. The message calls believers to live from grace, rest in Christ’s finished work, and stop measuring themselves by others.
Bible verses referenced
2 Corinthians 10:12- 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.
1 Corinthians 11:1- Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Hebrews 12:2- Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
2 Corinthians 3:18- But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 8:9- For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Galatians 5:6- For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Teaching notes
Table of Contents
- Why This Message Matters
- The Pain of Comparing Faith and Outcomes
- Personal Testimony: Fear, Illness, and Comparison
- Paul’s Warning Against Comparison
- The Damage Comparison Produces
- Fixing Our Eyes on Christ Alone
- Communion, Covenant, and Keeping Focus
- Transformation Comes From Beholding Jesus
- Financial Comparison and Grace Provision
- Faith Comes From Hearing Christ
- Training Our Senses Away From the Natural
- Faith Activated by Knowing God’s Love
- The Final Call: Compare Yourself Only to Jesus
- Why This Message Matters
Why This Message Matters
Pastor Leonard begins by explaining that a single isolated situation did not prompt this message. Many people had contacted him with the same fears, questions, and concerns. Believers were waiting for miracles, especially healing, and along the way, they became discouraged when they saw others not receiving what they expected. The Holy Spirit led him to address this issue publicly because it was affecting many hearts, not just one individual.
The Pain of Comparing Faith and Outcomes
He shares examples of believers who were deeply troubled after seeing godly people suffer. One woman struggled after learning that a faithful missionary who loved God, served Him wholeheartedly, and lived in faith was never healed. Others were shaken by tragic accidents and sudden deaths involving believers. Each situation produced the same question: “If this happened to them, what does that mean for me?” Comparison began to erode faith and replace hope with fear.
Personal Testimony: Fear, Illness, and Comparison
Pastor Leonard then shares a deeply personal experience. He recalls sitting beside a close friend, a strong man of faith who had previously been healed by the Lord, now dying of cancer. Fear entered his heart as he thought, “If this can happen to him, it can happen to me.” That fear took root, and less than a year later, he himself was diagnosed with aggressive cancer with only a two percent chance of survival. He explains how the same pattern occurred during COVID, when watching believers fall ill caused him to expect the same outcome. In each case, comparison opened the door to fear.
Paul’s Warning Against Comparison
Pastor Leonard points to Paul’s clear warning in 2 Corinthians 10:12, which says, “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.” Paul makes it clear that comparing ourselves to others is spiritual foolishness. The faith world often promotes statements like “I don’t get sick” or “I have greater faith,” but these mental declarations often collapse when tested.
The Damage Comparison Produces
He explains that comparison always produces destructive fruit. When we compare ourselves to others, we feel inferior, guilty, ashamed, or condemned. When we compare ourselves downward, we become arrogant and prideful. Neither outcome is from God. Comparison shifts our focus from Christ to performance, outcomes, and appearances, leaving believers emotionally and spiritually unstable.
Fixing Our Eyes on Christ Alone
Paul provides the solution in 1 Corinthians 11:1, where he says, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” Paul’s message was never “look at me,” but “look at Christ.” Everything in Paul’s teaching directed believers’ attention to Jesus, not to human examples. The call is to stop watching people and start fixing our eyes on Christ alone.
Communion, Covenant, and Keeping Focus
Pastor Leonard explains that he and Pastor Lori no longer search for testimonies or compare situations when affliction comes. Instead, they take communion and remember their covenant. Communion keeps its focus on what Jesus has already done and provided. The goal is not to analyze outcomes but to rest in Christ’s finished work and let faith arise naturally.
Transformation Comes From Beholding Jesus
He emphasizes 2 Corinthians 3:18, which says, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Transformation happens by beholding Jesus, not by fixing problems or comparing circumstances. As believers look at Christ, they are changed to reflect Him. This is where true spiritual growth and miracles originate.
Financial Comparison and Grace Provision
Pastor Leonard then addresses financial comparison, sharing his own experiences of abundance and need. He explains how comparing financial success with others leads to condemnation or pride. He points to 2 Corinthians 8:9, which says, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” This verse, he explains, is the only standard believers need. Provision flows by grace, not comparison or religious performance.
Faith Comes From Hearing Christ
Faith does not come from self-determination or confession alone. Pastor Leonard explains that faith is born by hearing Christ. He references the biblical principle behind Romans 10, emphasizing that faith arises when believers hear and respond to Christ-centered truth. Fixing our ears on Jesus allows faith to be formed naturally within the heart.
Training Our Senses Away From the Natural
The message then turns to how believers must retrain their senses. Comparison is rooted in natural sight, sound, and feeling. Instead, believers are called to move away from the natural realm and into the spiritual. Eyes are fixed on Jesus, ears are tuned to His voice, and hearts are anchored in His love.
Faith Activated by Knowing God’s Love
Pastor Leonard highlights Galatians 5:6, which says, “For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” Faith is activated by love, specifically by knowing how deeply God loves us. God is more concerned that we understand His love for us than how much we love Him. As His love fills our hearts, faith activates naturally and produces genuine devotion and trust.
The Final Call: Compare Yourself Only to Jesus
The message concludes with a simple but powerful command: stop comparing yourselves with others. Whether in abundance or need, success or struggle, there is only one comparison believers are called to make—and that is with Jesus. Eyes on Him. Ears on Him. Hearts anchored in His love. This is where faith grows, transformation happens, and peace remains.
Thank you for taking the time to read this teaching. We pray that this message brings clarity, freedom, and rest to your heart. If this article encouraged you, please share it with others who may be struggling with comparison, fear, or uncertainty, and help spread the message of grace and freedom found in Christ alone.