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."

Even God's dear children ask, "Oh, but what will people think? How do I dare to walk in the ways of the Lord, denying myself in this, and this, because of what people will think?" Jesus is dealing with peer pressure; He is telling us not to let that be our uppermost concern.

This message was not just for the world; Jesus' own disciples were caught in that sin. MAT 18:1-3 tells us, "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." The disciples were not just concerned about which of them would be seen as the greatest disciple in the world, they wanted to know who would be the greatest in heaven. Who would be the best Christian?

They were measuring and comparing themselves against each other. So when Jesus found them with these questions, He called a small child unto Him. He told them if they didn't become as that little child, they couldn't even enter His kingdom. He was telling them not to worry about who would be the greatest in His kingdom; their first concern should be if they would even enter the kingdom of heaven. You see, the Pharisee that is in the heart of every true disciple must be converted and become as a little child.

The Lord's teaching never sorted out two classes of people--the Pharisee here and the Christian there or these words are for the unconverted and these words for God's people. Jesus is teaching us to find the Pharisee in our own heart. He tells His own disciples, "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus is warning them to get off this idea about who is going to be the greatest in public stature; they must be converted to be as a little child or they won't even enter the kingdom. Jesus is telling them and us not to measure ourselves by others; we are not to be so concerned about our stature that we measure ourselves against others and think we can add just a cubit to be a bit better than they are.