John 3:29-30 -- 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John the Baptist got it right! There's not much to be added to his response when he was asked what he thought about everyone leaving him to go over to Jesus.
"There this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease."
"He must increase, but I must decrease."
Something that jumped out to me are the Greek words used for increase and decrease.
Increase in the Greek here is auxanō and used here it means to grow, increase, of the growing of a teacher and the number of adherents.
So, you'd think the word used for decrease would be the exact opposite right? Not quite. Decrease in the Greek is elattoō and means to decrease, in authority and popularity.
I found it quite interesting that the Greek Lexicon specifically states "popularity" as one of the areas that decreases, along with authority.
Beloved, is Jesus increasing in your life? Are you decreasing? If not, why?
Are you afraid of what people might think of you if you openly share Jesus and increase Him in your life? If so, why?
These were just a few things to think about today.
Please know you are loved. You are prayed over, and you are not alone. If you need anyone to pray with, talk to, or someone to just listen, please reach out.
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