I MUST DECREASE

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:

but he that seeketh his glory that sent him,

the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

Joh 7:18





As Christians, we seek to emulate the life of Jesus Christ, putting to death the old man that wars against the Spirit. As we continue to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, our focus on self will decrease, as the Baptist taught, and the life of Christ will overflow as the fountain of Living Waters.



Our natural minds are the enemies of God and will oppose the teachings of the Holy Spirit in every case. For it is written: Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Our old nature will seek to rise up and seek glory from men, desire flattery and attention. Carnality loves the praise of men and women and will never point to the Lord, but draw attention to self. This spirit will compromise with the Truth residing in the scriptures and cause a soul that perhaps was once on fire for the Lord, to become lukewarm. It is the salt that loses its savor – and good for nothing. If we are worthless salt to the world, the scripture says:



Mat 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.



The apostate system is filled with teachers, preachers and the like, who have built up kingdoms for themselves and not the Kingdom of God. A false minister will tickle ears and draw disciples to themselves as Paul warned:



Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.





Have we compromised on the truth of the gospel and followed after self serving ministers? Are we eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and not the true manna that came down from heaven – Jesus Christ? Are we filling our ears with sermons that perpetrate a lust for the treasures of this world? Do we renounce the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking after craftiness or handling the Word of God deceitfully? Do we agree with liars? Do we ignore and condemn those who bring convicting words of truth to our hearts? Are we running away from repentance, ignoring that still small voice inside of us that says:





Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.



The apostle Paul taught us to:



2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?





It is clear -- if we are supporting false ministries, if we agree with the preachers that are bringing forth a false gospel or compromising the truth, we are reprobates:

2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.



2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.



Jer 6:30 Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the LORD hath rejected them.



Seeking our own glory and not the glory of God is idolatry. It is a mindset that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and quenches the Holy Spirit, who leads us into all truth.



A person who is seeking the glory of God has been judged as righteous and true (John 7:18). He seeks to please his Heavenly Father, even in the face of rejection and scorn of unbelievers. A person walking in the truth will be persecuted:



Mat 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.



Jesus – our example:



Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.





The Prophet Jeremiah received such a magnificent Word of the Lord on this subject –



Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.



God delights when our hearts seek after Him! He blesses those that:



Pro 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.



Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.



All the prophets and apostles pointed to God alone and rejected the praise of men. Even the angels denied worship and admonished us to worship God alone. Christ must be central to our faith and we must be aware of the spirit that will seek to destroy the voice of the One who died for us.





Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.



Finally, let us keep close to our hearts, these words of the apostle, seeking this Word to be rooted within us:



Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.



Lord Jesus, help us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.