Some indulge in self-praise by writing their own testimonials to promote themselves because they are full of impatient pride and unable to wait for acknowledgment from others. These people establish their own conduct as the norm and find satisfaction in measuring up to the standard they have set. The apostle Paul describes intruders in the church by stating that they dare not class themselves or compare themselves with those who commend themselves, since measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves among themselves is not wise. The Corinthians commonly compared themselves with each other and made false ministers as well as themselves and their peers standards of righteousness. This pride causes people to compare themselves among themselves because it is ingrained in human nature to evaluate by human standards. A person who sets himself up as the standard of righteousness compares himself to others who appear less spiritual, makes his views the standard of righteousness, and condemns others for failing to rise to his level. Each person lives under a unique set of circumstances and works on different problems at various rates, so a true and accurate comparison is impossible by another human being. Only God can truly judge a person because only He can judge the heart and observe the entire picture. Comparing oneself among oneself does not accomplish the goal of the total renewing of the mind and deters overcoming problems by providing self-justification for the way one is, resulting in no change and no growth. In athletics a person who competes only with those of equal or lesser ability cannot improve above them, and this principle applies in spiritual matters as iron sharpens iron. Only by setting sights higher than mere humanity can godly character be attained.