Decreasing Self to Increase Christ in Our Lives

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 30, John the Baptist declares, "He must increase, but I must decrease." This profound statement encapsulates a central principle of Christian life: the necessity of self-decrease for Christ's increase within us. This principle is not just a historical fact but a spiritual truth that is vital for nurturing our souls and spiritual growth. Christianity is not merely about living a good life or holding certain beliefs; it is about being united with Christ and continually receiving His fullness, grace upon grace.

The church today often appears weak and ineffective because many Christians fail to live in the fullness of Christ. Instead, we give the impression that Christianity is restrictive and joyless, which is far from the truth. The real issue lies in our failure to decrease self, which hinders us from receiving Christ's fullness. Self is the greatest enemy, and the Bible consistently warns against it. To truly grow in Christ, self must diminish.

One way to achieve this is by living less on feelings and more by faith. While feelings and experiences are part of the Christian life, they can lead to self-satisfaction and pride if relied upon too heavily. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this balance, acknowledging his weaknesses so that Christ's strength can be perfected in him. The Christian life is a constant battle requiring vigilance and humility.

Reading Scripture is crucial in this journey. It reveals God's holiness, law, and the reality of judgment, humbling us and reducing self. The lives of saints, both biblical and historical, also serve as powerful reminders of our own smallness and the greatness of God. Meditation on the fleeting nature of life and eternity further helps us maintain a proper perspective, reminding us of our mortality and the insignificance of self in the grand scheme of God's eternal plan.

Ultimately, the mind of Christ, characterized by humility and selflessness, should be our model. By focusing on others and not ourselves, we allow Christ to increase in us. May the Spirit grant us the understanding and strength to implement these truths, so that we may receive His fullness and grace upon grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Necessity of Decreasing Self: The essence of Christian growth lies in the decrease of self to allow Christ's increase. This principle is foundational to receiving the fullness of Christ and living a life that reflects His glory. Self is the greatest hindrance to spiritual growth, and its reduction is essential for experiencing the abundant life Christ offers. [05:10]

2. Living by Faith, Not Feelings: While feelings and experiences are valuable, they can lead to pride if they become the focus. True spiritual maturity involves living by faith, trusting in God's promises rather than relying on fluctuating emotions. This shift from feelings to faith signifies a decrease in self and an increase in Christ. [09:09]

3. The Transformative Power of Scripture: Regular, prayerful reading of Scripture reveals God's holiness and our own inadequacies, humbling us and reducing self. The Bible provides the knowledge and perspective needed to understand our place before God, leading to a greater reliance on His grace. [20:41]

4. Learning from the Saints: The lives of saints, both in Scripture and throughout church history, offer valuable lessons in humility and dependence on God. Their stories remind us of our own limitations and the greatness of God's work in and through us, encouraging us to decrease self and increase our reliance on Him. [35:06]

5. Meditation on Eternity: Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the reality of eternity helps us maintain a proper perspective, reducing self-importance and fostering humility. This meditation reminds us of our mortality and the need to focus on eternal values rather than temporary concerns. [37:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to John 3:30
- [00:30] - Historical Context of John the Baptist
- [01:18] - The Principle of Decreasing Self
- [02:10] - Christianity as Union with Christ
- [03:04] - The Church's Weakness and Self-Deception
- [04:22] - Hindrances to Receiving Christ's Fullness
- [05:10] - Self as the Greatest Enemy
- [08:48] - Living by Faith, Not Feelings
- [11:29] - The Danger of Pride in Spiritual Experiences
- [14:28] - The Importance of Spiritual Graces
- [19:03] - Practical Steps to Decrease Self
- [20:41] - The Transformative Power of Scripture
- [35:06] - Learning from the Saints
- [37:08] - Meditation on Eternity
- [45:14] - The Mind of Christ as Our Model

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:30 - "He must increase, but I must decrease."
2. Revelation 3:17 - "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked."
3. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the context in which John the Baptist declared, "He must increase, but I must decrease"? ([01:01])
2. How does the sermon describe the current state of the church and its effectiveness? ([03:04])
3. What does the sermon suggest is the greatest hindrance to receiving the fullness of Christ? ([05:10])
4. How does the Apostle Paul exemplify the balance between acknowledging weaknesses and experiencing Christ's strength? ([12:17])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the principle of "He must increase, but I must decrease" apply to the concept of spiritual growth in a believer's life? ([01:18])
2. In what ways does living by faith rather than feelings signify a decrease in self and an increase in Christ? ([09:09])
3. How does the reading of Scripture contribute to the reduction of self and the increase of Christ in one's life? ([20:41])
4. What lessons can be learned from the lives of saints, both biblical and historical, about humility and dependence on God? ([35:06])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you prioritized your own desires over allowing Christ to increase in your life. How might you approach it differently now? ([01:18])
2. Identify an area in your life where you rely heavily on feelings. How can you shift towards living more by faith in that area? ([09:09])
3. What specific steps can you take to incorporate regular, prayerful reading of Scripture into your daily routine? How might this practice help you decrease self? ([20:41])
4. Think of a saint or a historical Christian figure whose life inspires you. What aspect of their humility or faith can you emulate in your own life? ([35:06])
5. Consider the fleeting nature of life and eternity. How does this perspective change the way you view your current priorities and concerns? ([37:08])
6. How can you cultivate the mind of Christ, characterized by humility and selflessness, in your interactions with others this week? ([45:14])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually weak. How did you experience Christ's strength in that moment, and how can you apply that experience to future challenges? ([12:17])

Devotional

Day 1: The Essence of Self-Reduction
The journey of Christian growth is marked by the intentional decrease of self to allow Christ's presence to flourish within us. This principle is foundational to experiencing the fullness of Christ and living a life that reflects His glory. The self is often the greatest hindrance to spiritual growth, and its reduction is essential for experiencing the abundant life Christ offers. By focusing less on our own desires and more on Christ's will, we open ourselves to His transformative power. This process requires humility and a willingness to let go of personal ambitions in favor of God's greater plan. [05:10]

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where self-interest often takes precedence over Christ's will. How can you intentionally decrease self in this area today?


Day 2: Faith Over Feelings
Living by faith rather than feelings is a crucial aspect of spiritual maturity. While emotions and experiences are valuable, they can lead to pride if they become the focus. True spiritual growth involves trusting in God's promises and living by faith, which signifies a decrease in self and an increase in Christ. This shift requires a conscious effort to rely on God's unchanging truth rather than the fluctuating nature of our emotions. By doing so, we align ourselves more closely with God's purposes and experience a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment. [09:09]

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent situation where you relied more on your feelings than on faith. How can you choose to trust God's promises in similar situations moving forward?


Day 3: Scripture's Transformative Power
Regular, prayerful reading of Scripture is essential for spiritual growth. It reveals God's holiness and our own inadequacies, humbling us and reducing self. The Bible provides the knowledge and perspective needed to understand our place before God, leading to a greater reliance on His grace. As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, we are reminded of His greatness and our need for His guidance. This practice not only deepens our relationship with God but also equips us to live out our faith more effectively. [20:41]

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)

Reflection: Set aside time today to read a passage of Scripture. How does this passage challenge your current understanding of self and God?


Day 4: Learning from the Saints
The lives of saints, both in Scripture and throughout church history, offer valuable lessons in humility and dependence on God. Their stories remind us of our own limitations and the greatness of God's work in and through us. By studying their lives, we are encouraged to decrease self and increase our reliance on Him. These examples serve as powerful reminders of the transformative power of faith and the importance of living a life dedicated to God's purposes. [35:06]

"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." (Hebrews 13:7, ESV)

Reflection: Choose a saint or biblical figure whose life inspires you. What specific aspect of their faith can you emulate in your own life today?


Day 5: Eternal Perspective
Reflecting on the fleeting nature of life and the reality of eternity helps us maintain a proper perspective, reducing self-importance and fostering humility. This meditation reminds us of our mortality and the need to focus on eternal values rather than temporary concerns. By keeping eternity in mind, we are better equipped to prioritize what truly matters and live a life that honors God. This perspective shift encourages us to invest in things of eternal significance, such as relationships, service, and spiritual growth. [37:08]

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current priorities. How can you adjust them to align more closely with eternal values?

Quotes


He must increase, but I must decrease. Those who attend you regularly will know that we've been looking at this great and tremendous statement in two previous occasions. It's a part of our study not only of this chapter but of this entire gospel. We've been engaged upon it for some time. [00:22:01]

Self is the enemy from the beginning to the very end, and so the scripture is full of this warring against self. Self has got to go down before he'll go up. I must decrease. There's no hope of his increasing in my life and my receiving of the fullness unless I dig. I must decrease. [00:20:49]

The danger I say is of living on these things because they have a tendency in and of themselves to inflate itself, that give us self-satisfaction and to make us burst. Oh, I read to you at the beginning that section out of the twelfth chapter of Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians. [00:10:16]

Now the first thing we have to learn therefore about the Christian life is that it is constantly a better always calling for watchfulness and care. As I say, the devil is so subtle. Paul has been explaining in the previous chapter that he is so able that he can even transform himself into an angel of light. [00:11:29]

The greatest enemy to my knowledge of him and receiving of his fullness is this wretched self, this poor self. We sang that hymn Levithan our Sunday morning make this poor self grow lessened, and that should be the ambition and the desire of every one of us. [00:19:03]

Ignorance is always the greatest cause of self-conceit and esteem, all of them. It's the man who knows a little always thinking things he knows everything. A little learning is a dangerous thing. I wasn't put it like that. The first-year student in the menacing danger much more than the final year student. [00:20:41]

You read about the children of Israel, God's chosen people, the people who saw the miracles and wonderful signs in Egypt, the people who are red LED in a miraculous manner through the Red Sea, the people who are fed with a manner, people with great experiences. [00:32:31]

There is nothing that is so helpful and valuable in the decreasing of self is to read about these men. You read about them again in the height of their achievements. You read about them also in their families, and you say to yourself, Who am I if men like that could fall into error or could fall into sin? [00:35:06]

Meditation on the fleeting character of life and meditation on death and on eternity, because I know when I say that I'm saying something that is utterly unpopular at the present time, something that is not indulged in practically at all. But there was a time when God's people used to spend a lot of the time in meditating. [00:37:08]

The world does everything it can to puff up this self of ours. It makes self bigger and bigger and bigger, the modern male and his importance and what he's doing. None of the antidote to that, the answer to that is in order to get rid of this self, meditate upon eternity. [00:41:15]

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. That's it, isn't it? Look not every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others. Just Paul to the Philippians let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God. [00:45:14]

May the spirit give us the understanding and the ability to implement these apparently simple things and yet with all of which are vital. Oh, let us do so that self, this poor self, may become less and less and he may increase and we may receive of his fullness and grace upon grace. [00:49:33]

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Transcript
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