He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease

Have you ever stood outside the city at night and looked up at the stars? The sight is breathtaking — a million bright lights scattered across the dark canvas of the sky. But when the sun rises, those stars fade from view. They’re still there, but in the brilliance of the sun’s light, they are overshadowed.

That’s the picture John the Baptist gives us in John 3:22–36. His disciples were upset that Jesus’ ministry was growing while John’s was shrinking. Crowds that once followed John now flocked to Jesus. To them, it looked like John was losing. But John saw it differently. He understood that his role was never to hold the spotlight — it was to point people to the One who deserved it.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

The Danger of Comparison

John’s disciples said to him in frustration: “Rabbi… behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him” (v. 26). There’s an edge of jealousy there — “John, your influence is slipping. Jesus is outshining you.” How human is that? How easy it is for us to fall into the same trap.

We compare our ministries, our families, our careers, even our social media presence. We measure success by numbers, recognition, and applause. And when someone else seems to get what we wanted, envy creeps in. Few things are more damaging to the witness of the church than jealousy and rivalry among Christians.

The apostle Paul warned the Philippians about this very thing: “Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife… supposing to add affliction to my bonds. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice” (Phil. 1:15–18).

Jealousy divides the body of Christ. Humility unites it.

A Different Perspective

John responds with words that free us from the bondage of comparison:
“A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3:27)

What a liberating truth. Everything you and I have — every gift, every opportunity, every blessing — is from God. Our ministries are not ours; they are God’s. Our successes are not trophies we earned; they are gifts of grace.

John knew who he was not: “I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him” (v. 28). He was content to play his role faithfully, even if that meant stepping aside when Jesus stepped forward.

The Joy of the Bridegroom’s Friend

To explain, John used the picture of a wedding. In that culture, the friend of the bridegroom (like a best man) had an important role, but the day wasn’t about him. His joy was complete when the bridegroom appeared and the celebration began.

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom… rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.” (John 3:29)

John’s joy wasn’t diminished when Jesus’ fame grew; it was fulfilled. That’s what true humility looks like. It’s not about pretending to be worthless or pushing yourself down. It’s about lifting Christ up and finding joy in His glory.

As F.B. Meyer once said: “The only hope of a decreasing self is an increasing Christ.”

He Must Increase

So what does this mean for us? It means shifting the focus of our lives from self-promotion to Christ-exaltation. It means rejoicing when others succeed. It means trusting God’s sovereignty in the place He has given us.

And it means living with eternity in view. John closes this passage by pointing to the ultimate reality: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).

At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is Christ — His glory, His gospel, His gift of life. Everything else fades like stars before the sunrise.

A Final Word

Maybe today you feel overlooked. Maybe someone else has the opportunities, the recognition, or the influence you long for. Hear the words of John the Baptist: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

That’s not defeat — that’s freedom. When Christ is exalted, our joy is complete.

So take a deep breath. Release your need to be noticed. Rejoice in the glory of Jesus. For He is above all, and in Him is everlasting life.