John the Baptist summarizes his life in 6 simple words 🙂 At Bible college, the teachers really enjoyed studying the Apostle Paul’s ‘great theological’ books. Some even implied the gospels were not that interesting-too simple for great minds. Well, I got a check in my spirit and life confirmed that the letters in red-as stated in the gospels are the most important words ever given to mankind. Jesus greatest teachings were summarized by this reverent testimony given by John the Baptist-He must increase and I must decrease. Jn. 3:30 (see scriptures below).
Recent Example
While visiting a church a short time ago the Lord gave me a life lesson in this area. The anointing was literally ‘flat lined’ in some areas in the service and several of us noticed we could not pick up a pulse. It was not an immoral or as they say in theological terms…and apostate church, it just was their focus for some was in the wrong place.
He was showing me there was a barrier between His glory and the body…and that the barrier could be easily broken. They could walk through it…in His strength.
All they needed to do was get honest about their shortcomings, their focus and humble themselves. The barriers were blocking the Lords passageway to openly work in their lives. It was easily penetrable-but they ‘had to get honest’-humble before God and they would surely break through. See Being Humble
He was also showing that sooo many people recently have been going through very difficult times, if they would go through the spiritual wall, the Holy Spirit would pour out in their lives as never before. There was a divine unity awaiting them (because they have been faithful in their trials) and the Lord wanted to give them a Holy Spirit Oneness that would be sooo supernatural- those in the world would absolutely notice this Divine work. They would know…Only a Living Holy God could create such a unity-it’s source is from heaven above!
In other words, all this congregation has to do is follow the gospel of John the Baptist.
There is something amazing that happens however when we do this. By allowing our lives to decrease…we in turn receive a 
In human terms, we call this a paradox (a statement that seems to contradict itself)…but the Bible simply calls this trusting God –or-letting the Lord do His part while we do ours. Here are some other examples of a paradox in the Word.
-Exaltation through Humility
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. James 4:10
Walking in humility, lifting mankind above your personal desires and aspirations will allow the Lord to bless us and be honored.
-Strength through Weakness
2 Cor. 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (Leaning-trusting on our God and not on ourselves).
-Walking as ‘the least of these’ we shall become the greater (If we live our lives as a servant, our reward in heaven -as well as blessing on earth- will be great and will never perish) Matt. 6:33 , Matt. 11:11, 1 Peter 1:4
the last shall be first, and the first last Matt. 20:16.
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant (the least). 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Matt. 23:11-12
-Receiving through Giving
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6;38.
The Lord blesses us as we give to the genuine needs of others.
-Living by dying
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. Jn. 12:24.
When we die to the self (ish) desires and live for God…the living for God-having Him flow in our lives creates a ‘fullness’ that cannot be accomplished any other way.
Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
-Finding life through losing it
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matt. 10:39
Finding, searching, placing your heart in the temporary things of this world will blind us to His call for the eternal relationship with Him.
-Knowledge through lack of Understanding
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Our personality has a soul (mind, emotion and will) but it also has a spirit that is made alive when we receive Jesus –when our sins are forever forgiven by the cross. From that day forward…our spirit should be guided by His Spirit…which should work in unity with one another. Our minds ability is enhanced when it is aided by an infinite all knowing God.
Biblical Perspective
In each and every case mentioned, the Lord is not trying to devalue the things in life that He has given us (our lives, money, minds etc). He wants us to excel at work (try to be the best-which may result in being first) Ps. 90:17, Col. 3:23. He desires us to be leaders of others (having a ‘greater’ position)-to set a good example 2 Tim. 2:15, Eph. 4:11-12. Paul says he runs the race to win…and instructs us to do the same 1 Cor. 9:24.
There are times the Lord does indeed prosper us…eternally in heaven and as He wills on earth John 10:10, Matt. 6:33.
The Lord created our minds and He used the Apostle Paul-the greatest theological mind of the New Church Gal. 1:14, Phil. 3:5 -to have more impute in the New Testament than any other author.
In all these instances…in all these instructions and examples-the Lord is simply saying…don’t let your human abilities or personal (self centered) aspirations get in the way of walking with Me. Keep hearing, trusting and ‘humbly walking’ on My divine path I have for you.
Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
We Were Created in the Image of God
Gen. 1:26
When we were created in the image of God, His purpose was to have our soul and spirit lit up with the glory and powerful love of His Divine Majesty. Each and every corner of our soul was intended to have complete understanding of how infinitely valuable we are-because we would know how infinitely loved we are. After mankind fell into sin, we have been on an continual quest to fill this void. I personally believe in heaven we will be eternally grateful for the verse listed below. We will live in His unending glory and love that will overflow into every empty place that we previously had within our heart.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I am fully known (Note: Please keep this in mind. This verse is mentioned in the context of one of the greatest chapters about Love…in the Word of God)
When we are Face to Face with the Lord, we will know the Lord in a complete manner (which includes His love for us) and this loving glory will light up our personality-we will fully know Him because we are now in His presence…face to face.
We will have also have full knowledge of how special He had made us-how great of a creation we are – because we will be-‘fully known’-(our personalities will be beautifully and completely revealed …to us and to others)-in the light of Gods love toward us. We will live with such a overflowing joy…because every area of our heart will be discovered and found to be unique…specially made by Him. Darkness and shame because of sin will never again dim or hide our potential. His plans will be accomplished in perfect unity with His directions- and Gods pleasure will overflow into our hearts. Every part our personality will be brought into the Light and found to be with Divine approval by an almighty God.
Never again will we question our capabilities or our purpose for life. ‘Who we are’ will be completely understood in the most positive way because I (we) will be fully known by His Glorious Light shining within us in our heavenly kingdom.
Revelation 21:4-5 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
God’s radiance glowing in our hearts does this. We were never meant to live without knowing our Creator.
Pride will exit (because we fully know-are aware of His great sacrifice for us)-and we will spend eternity in total appreciation on how wonderful He has made each and every one of us.
Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
The Divine Correction
We can contribute all intentional harmful actions that have caused such great suffering in our world…to mans attempt to wrongly fulfill their desire to regain affirmation-to restore their value that was lost because of a broken relationship with our God. Combined with an evil agenda by demonic activity-every power plan by evil leaders in government (the main reason for wars), every desire to fill a void by drugs-all the children in broken homes that struggle to find self worth, is simply an emptiness seeking to regain what the Lord is trying to restore…in Him-His eternal relationship with us-that was lost due to sin. See Understanding God
Since the draw to regain wholeness, to restore value in life is soo strong-we have a life tendency to fill this void at any cost. This can come from healthy sources, but many times we reach out to influences with disastrous consequences.
The Lord ‘has to’ guard us in this area. …to make this a critical issue-a complete ‘seek for and find- life event’ see Matt. 5:3-12. Unless we come into the light and see healthy Godly solutions, we can never understand there is a better way, a divine alternative for the unhealthy situations we are in.
Note: This is why the ’12 steps’ found in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) and NA (Narcotic Anonymous) borrow the same principles established from the Bible. ‘Show’ them healthy living principles to cancel out the negative destructive ones they are living.
The Lord is declaring in no uncertain terms, do not attempt to restore your self as ‘the best’, ‘the first’ or ‘the greatest’ without understanding who you are in relation to your Creator…and your need for a complete restoration to your Creator. See Knowing God links below.
He is teaching us, receive your happiness through an eternal relationship with the True God…so My glory, direction and joy can return to you in a healthy, healing and permanent way.
In order to accomplish this, Jesus is telling us-get rid of our ‘junk’-the sin in our lives, your impure ways-seek your Father in heaven…trust Him and the important things in life-the eternal things will be granted to you. If you try and accomplish the things in life without Our relationship being completely established, than …
What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
To keep us on track we ‘surrender’ our goals, money, lives-and all the important things we value (as mentioned in the paradoxes above) will be given to you …in His timing and in His order. In other words-don’t make all the things mentioned above your absolute priority. Give them to God-seek His purpose and love…and we shall indeed receive what is needed in life.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
If we don’t put Him first…our sin nature that desires to fulfill our longings unnaturally (in an unhealthy way) will naturally -and automatically- replace His love with ‘worldly fixes’ like the praises of men, the riches of this world, or the harmful desires (longings) of this world Jn. 12:43, 1 Jn. 2:15-16.
Decrease to
When we decrease and allow Him to increase…it means we are getting rid of our our imperfect ways and allowing for Divine Intervention to take us higher. It means we are connected to the heavenly radiance of Jesus-who is complete in glory-lifting us up with Him Eph. 1:3, 2:6. Our life is elevated from a dark world below to being touched by a Holy Realm from above. We truly are being manifest for glory to glory…being lifted up when we decrease our ways- which allows us to increase in the ways of God.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to (increasing) glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. So many people, including myself when I first became a Christian, thought these verses mentioned above meant that we were supposed to have a low self esteem, have people walk on us-by being ‘the least of these’ etc. etc. In actuality, these verses mean just the opposite. He wants us to believe we are the most valued people, His Divine Children… because we are made in His image.
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
All we need to accomplish-in our churches and in our lives-is to have us get out of the way (decrease) while He lifts us up in His strength (His increase). The result in doing so..we will have more of His Kingdom of God presence in our lives. There is no greater gift or blessing that can excite us more…than to be ‘increased’ by replacing ‘our defective ways’ with the Lords heavenly direction, having His glory and love to shine within us. See 1st 4 Articles on the Kingdom of God.
God bless you as you pursue His truth.
To Personally Know the One and True Lord, please see
Knowing God
Finding God
Other related Links
How Should We Preach P 2
Our Road with God Part 1 Part 2
Being Humble