In what ways can we decrease so Christ increases in our lives? Setting the Scene John 3:28: “You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent ahead of Him.’” John the Baptist gladly pointed away from himself. His entire identity was wrapped in preparing the way for Jesus. That same posture—recognizing we are not the Christ, but joyfully serving His cause—shows us how to “decrease” so Christ may “increase” (v. 30). What Decrease Looks Like • Accepting our role: servants, not saviors (John 13:14–16). • Redirecting praise: whenever spotlight hits us, we deflect it to Jesus (Acts 3:12–16). • Embracing obscurity: content if only Christ is seen (Colossians 3:3–4). • Rejoicing in others’ growth, even if it surpasses ours (Philippians 2:3–4). Heart Attitudes That Lower Self • Humility: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6). • Crucified life: “I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). • Dependence: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). • Contentment: resting in God’s calling, not chasing human applause (1 Corinthians 4:1–4). Daily Practices That Lift Christ • Start each morning with surrender—verbally yielding plans, desires, and reputation to Him. • Meditate on Scripture before media; let His voice set the tone (Psalm 119:11). • Serve quietly—help a neighbor, write an anonymous note, clean without credit (Matthew 6:1–4). • Share testimonies that highlight Jesus’ work, not our effort (Revelation 12:11). • Speak His Word more than our opinions; let conversations be Scripture-seasoned (Colossians 4:6). Guardrails Against Self-Promotion • Fast from social platforms if they feed pride. • Invite a trusted believer to point out ego-driven patterns (Proverbs 27:6). • Pray through Psalm 139:23–24, asking God to expose hidden pride. • Regularly celebrate others’ wins, thanking God aloud for their fruitfulness. Encouragement from Other Witnesses • Paul: “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). • Mary: “Behold, the bond-servant of the Lord; may it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). • Andrew: quietly brought people to Jesus, then stepped back (John 1:40–42; 6:8–9). Their stories show decreasing is not loss but fuller joy in seeing Jesus magnified. A Closing Vision of Christ’s Increase When Christ increases, His character shapes our reactions, His glory colors our ambitions, and His mission steers our choices. Like John the Baptist, we find deepest satisfaction not in being noticed, but in knowing the Bridegroom is embraced: “This joy of mine is now complete” (John 3:29). |
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