Only God’s Approval Matters

In summary of Galatians 6:4 it says, "Pay careful attention, examine and test your own conduct and work, and sink yourself into that..  Then you will have the satisfaction of doing well and something to be proud of.  But don’t be impressed with yourself.  Don’t compare yourself with others."

Bottom Line:
Look at yourself and your work first, do it well.  Have satisfaction in doing it well, something you can be proud of (because you're doing your best.)  Don’t get over impressed with yourself and don’t compare yourself with others.

What this means to me:
God is telling me to carefully scrutinize, examine and test my own conduct and work.  When I do it well, then I can have the personal satisfaction and joy that come from doing something very well without resorting to boasting or comparison with others.  God warns me to never compare myself with anyone else; as I will probably find someone who seems to be doing a better job than me - making me discouraged or I’ll find someone not as effective as me - become full of pride.  So it’s best just for me to stay away from doing any comparison since they can dis-rail me from doing what God would want for me to do.  So I should ponder today am I comparing myself to others?  Am I doing the things God has called me to do?  Is my life producing fruit?  In the long run it doesn’t matter who praises me, if my life is not fruitful then it’s not making a difference for his kingdom.