{"id":4053,"date":"2026-08-07T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/?p=4053"},"modified":"2026-08-01T13:37:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T17:37:28","slug":"he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/","title":{"rendered":"John the Baptist&#8217;s Final Testimony: &#8220;He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease&#8221; (John 3:22\u201336)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"h-the-audience-john-is-writing-to\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Audience John Is Writing To<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout the first three chapters of John&#8217;s Gospel, two ministries have existed side by side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John the Baptist has been preparing the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus has begun revealing Himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now the transition begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Crowds that once gathered around John increasingly follow Jesus instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From a human perspective, this could have become a rivalry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People naturally compare leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Followers often become competitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jealousy easily develops when influence begins to shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John records this event because it reveals the heart of true discipleship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The greatest servant of God is not the one who gathers the largest following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is the one who most faithfully points people to Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John the Baptist now demonstrates that truth in one of the most beautiful examples of humility found anywhere in Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>John 3:22-36 NASB<br>After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized- for John had not yet been thrown into prison. Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John&#8217;s disciples with a Jew about purification. And they came to John and said to him, &#8220;Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.&#8221; John answered and said, &#8220;A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, &#8216;I am not the Christ,&#8217; but, &#8216;I have been sent ahead of Him.&#8217; He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom&#8217;s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease. &#8220;He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-key-focus-of-the-passage-and-jesus-character\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Focus of the Passage and Jesus&#8217; Character<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The focus is <strong>the supremacy of Christ, the humility of John the Baptist, the joy of faithful service, and the absolute necessity of believing in the Son<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus reveals Himself as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">the heavenly Bridegroom,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">the One sent from above,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">the One who possesses the Spirit without measure,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">the Son loved by the Father,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">and the sovereign Lord over all things.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John reveals that the highest purpose of every believer is to make Christ known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-people-in-the-interaction\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The People in the Interaction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\"><strong>Jesus<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\"><strong>John the Baptist<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">John&#8217;s disciples<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">A Jew discussing purification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">Jesus&#8217; disciples<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-happened-in-the-scene\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Happened in the Scene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus and His disciples travel into the Judean countryside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There, Jesus&#8217; disciples are baptizing those who come to Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the same time, John the Baptist continues baptizing at Aenon because there is plenty of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John has not yet been imprisoned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A discussion arises between one of John&#8217;s disciples and a Jew concerning purification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Concerned, John&#8217;s disciples approach him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They say: <strong>&#8220;Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan&#8230; behold, He is baptizing and everyone is coming to Him.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their concern is understandable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John&#8217;s crowds are shrinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus&#8217; crowds are growing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They expect John to be troubled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, John rejoices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He reminds them that he has always said: <strong>&#8220;I am not the Christ.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He then compares himself to the bridegroom&#8217;s friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The friend rejoices when the bridegroom arrives because the wedding is about him\u2014not the friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John concludes with one of the greatest statements of humility in Scripture: <strong>&#8220;He must increase, but I must decrease.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John then explains why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus comes from heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He speaks the words of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Father has given everything into His hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, John declares that eternal life belongs to everyone who believes in the Son, while those who reject Him remain under God&#8217;s wrath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His ministry ends exactly as it began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pointing to Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-deep-theology-of-christian-humility\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Deep Theology of Christian Humility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-a-ministry-in-transition\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Ministry in Transition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humanly speaking, John had every reason to feel discouraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For months, perhaps years, crowds had gathered to hear him preach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Religious leaders questioned him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thousands were baptized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now the crowds were leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many leaders struggle when influence begins to fade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John does not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because he never believed the crowds belonged to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He understood they belonged to Christ all along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Faithfulness is measured by obedience, not popularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John&#8217;s success was never defined by how many followed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was defined by how many followed Jesus because of him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-a-man-can-receive-nothing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;A Man Can Receive Nothing&#8230;&#8221;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John begins with a profound principle: <strong>&#8220;A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything we possess is a gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And our influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And our success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything comes from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jealousy begins when we forget this truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pride leads us to believe we deserve what we have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Humility recognizes every blessing as an undeserved gift from heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John rests in God&#8217;s sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If God has ordained that Jesus&#8217; ministry increase while his decreases, then John&#8217;s joy is found in God&#8217;s plan rather than personal recognition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-friend-of-the-bridegroom\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Friend of the Bridegroom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John introduces a beautiful picture familiar to Jewish weddings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bridegroom&#8217;s friend held an honored position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He organized the celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prepared the wedding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Served the bridegroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the wedding was never about him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once the bridegroom arrived, the friend&#8217;s greatest joy was seeing the bride united to the bridegroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John says: <strong>&#8220;This joy of mine has been made full.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice the irony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John loses followers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet his joy increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The world says joy comes through gaining attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John says joy comes through giving attention to Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-he-must-increase\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;He Must Increase&#8221;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The word <strong>must<\/strong> is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not John&#8217;s personal preference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is God&#8217;s divine necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The increase of Christ&#8217;s glory is woven into God&#8217;s eternal plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">History itself moves toward one goal:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exaltation of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every knee will bow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every tongue will confess.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And every kingdom will ultimately submit to Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John gladly aligns himself with that purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His own decrease is not loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is participation in God&#8217;s greatest plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-i-must-decrease\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8220;I Must Decrease&#8221;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These words challenge every generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John does not say: &#8220;I hope to decrease.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or, &#8220;I should decrease.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He says: <strong>&#8220;I must decrease.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not self-hatred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nor false humility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John is not diminishing his God-given value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He is recognizing his God-given role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every faithful ministry eventually reaches this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The servant fades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christ remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The messenger disappears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The message continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Christian maturity is not measured by how visible we become;\u00a0it<strong> is measured by the extent to which Christ becomes visible through us.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-one-from-above\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The One From Above<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John now explains why Jesus must increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus comes: <strong>&#8220;from above.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John comes from earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus comes from heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The contrast could not be greater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John speaks as a prophet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus speaks with divine authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John announces God&#8217;s message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus is God&#8217;s message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only Christ perfectly reveals the Father because only Christ has eternally dwelt with the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-spirit-without-measure\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Spirit Without Measure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John declares: <strong>&#8220;He gives the Spirit without measure.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Throughout the Old Testament, the Spirit empowered individuals for particular tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prophets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Judges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Priests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Spirit came upon them according to God&#8217;s purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fullness of the Spirit permanently rests upon Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He possesses unlimited divine authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything needed for salvation flows from His inexhaustible fullness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-the-father-loves-the-son\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Father Loves the Son<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John reveals one of the deepest truths in Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Father&#8217;s love for the Son did not begin at Bethlehem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nor at Jesus&#8217; baptism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is eternal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Father delights in the Son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of that love: <strong>&#8220;He has given all things into His hand.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The authority of Christ extends over:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Creation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Salvation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">Judgment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">History.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">The Church.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">The future.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Nothing exists outside His sovereign rule.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-eternal-life-and-present-reality\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eternal Life and Present Reality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John concludes with a striking contrast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;He who believes in the Son has eternal life.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice the tense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not: &#8220;Will someday receive.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But: <strong>&#8220;Has.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eternal life begins now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Believers already possess a restored relationship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fullness awaits eternity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the life has already begun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Likewise, John says those who reject the Son remain under God&#8217;s wrath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wrath is not merely future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is humanity&#8217;s present condition apart from Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus did not come to create a neutral world divided into believers and condemned people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He came into a world already condemned to provide rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-mood-and-tone\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mood and Tone<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The tone moves from <strong>concern \u2192 humility \u2192 joy \u2192 exaltation \u2192 invitation \u2192 solemn warning<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John&#8217;s final testimony combines overflowing joy with profound theological clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-jesus-reveals\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Jesus Reveals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jesus reveals Himself as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"\">the Bridegroom,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">the One from heaven,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">the perfect revealer of God,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">the One filled with the Spirit without measure,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">the beloved Son,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"\">and the giver of eternal life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-response-of-others\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Response of Others<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-john-s-disciples\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">John&#8217;s Disciples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They struggle with comparison and fear losing influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-john-the-baptist\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">John the Baptist<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He rejoices that Christ is receiving greater honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-jesus\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jesus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though not speaking directly in this passage, His growing ministry fulfills God&#8217;s redemptive plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-lesson-for-us-in-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Lesson for Us in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-1-comparison-destroys-joy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Comparison Destroys Joy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John found peace by celebrating God&#8217;s work in others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-2-everything-we-have-is-a-gift-from-god\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Everything We Have Is a Gift From God<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no room for pride when every blessing comes from heaven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-3-true-greatness-makes-christ-greater\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. True Greatness Makes Christ Greater<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The purpose of our lives is not self-promotion but Christ-exaltation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-4-joy-is-found-in-god-s-plan\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Joy Is Found in God&#8217;s Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John rejoiced even as his own ministry diminished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-5-eternal-life-is-found-only-in-the-son\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Eternal Life Is Found Only in the Son<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no alternative path to reconciliation with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-final-reflection\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Reflection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John the Baptist&#8217;s final recorded testimony may also be his greatest sermon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had every opportunity to compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His followers were loyal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His reputation was established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And his influence was significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, he chose joy over jealousy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contentment over comparison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Worship over self-promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His famous words have challenged believers for two thousand years: <strong>&#8220;He must increase, but I must decrease.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those words summarize the entire Christian life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our ministries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And our families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our accomplishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everything ultimately exists for one purpose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To make Jesus more clearly seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">John understood that his name would eventually be forgotten compared to Christ&#8217;s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He welcomed that reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because his greatest desire was never to build a movement around himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It was to prepare a people for the Savior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That remains our calling today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every act of kindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And every opportunity to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every spiritual gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And every trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each one provides another opportunity for Christ to increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The greatest compliment anyone could ever receive is not, &#8220;What an amazing Christian.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But rather, <strong>&#8220;What an amazing Savior they follow.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So the question becomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When people observe my life, do they see someone striving to build a reputation for themselves, or someone whose greatest joy is watching Jesus become more honored, more trusted, and more loved, even if no one remembers my name?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-suggested-reading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suggested Reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"IyWDoYw9Zl\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/ministry-of-john-the-baptist-luke-3-1-20\/\">The Ministry of John the Baptist: Preparing Hearts for Jesus (Luke 3:1\u201320)<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cThe Ministry of John the Baptist: Preparing Hearts for Jesus (Luke 3:1\u201320)\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/ministry-of-john-the-baptist-luke-3-1-20\/embed\/#?secret=KVtydxGola#?secret=IyWDoYw9Zl\" data-secret=\"IyWDoYw9Zl\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"3VfGTEGIYq\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-stand-firm-till-the-end\/\">Do You Have What It Takes To Stand Firm Till The End?<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cDo You Have What It Takes To Stand Firm Till The End?\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-stand-firm-till-the-end\/embed\/#?secret=3Opvm5JJCr#?secret=3VfGTEGIYq\" data-secret=\"3VfGTEGIYq\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"h8uhFcNFPh\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/question-about-fasting-luke-5-33-39\/\">The Question About Fasting: New Life Requires New Structures (Luke 5:33\u201339)<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cThe Question About Fasting: New Life Requires New Structures (Luke 5:33\u201339)\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/question-about-fasting-luke-5-33-39\/embed\/#?secret=FXrwXWCPRk#?secret=h8uhFcNFPh\" data-secret=\"h8uhFcNFPh\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-stand-firm wp-block-embed-stand-firm\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"AbrqFaFuOx\"><a href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/even-when-you-are-discouraged-jesus-is-working\/\">Even When You are Discouraged, Jesus is Working<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"\u201cEven When You are Discouraged, Jesus is Working\u201d \u2014 Stand Firm\" src=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/even-when-you-are-discouraged-jesus-is-working\/embed\/#?secret=g84ps1nDWU#?secret=AbrqFaFuOx\" data-secret=\"AbrqFaFuOx\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Jesus&#8217; ministry grows and John the Baptist&#8217;s influence begins to fade, John&#8217;s disciples become concerned. Instead of competing with Christ, John rejoices. His final public testimony teaches one of Christianity&#8217;s greatest lessons: true greatness is found in making Jesus greater, not ourselves.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4054,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[2823,654,2835,2374],"tags":[2829,2871,15,2867,98,2872],"class_list":["post-4053","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-christology","category-discipleship","category-gospel-of-john","category-john-the-baptist","tag-gospel-of-john","tag-he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease","tag-humility","tag-john-3-explained","tag-john-the-baptist","tag-supremacy-of-christ"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>He Must Increase but I Must Decrease in Faith<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore the meaning behind &#039;He must increase but I must decrease&#039; and discover true discipleship through humility.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"John the Baptist&#039;s Final Testimony: &quot;He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease&quot; (John 3:22\u201336) - Stand Firm\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Stand Firm - John the Baptist&#039;s Final Testimony: &quot;He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease&quot; (John 3:22\u201336)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Stand Firm\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/standfirmgrowinginfaith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/standfirmgrowinginfaith\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-08-07T10:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"450\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"John Clark\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"John Clark\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"John Clark\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce\"},\"headline\":\"John the Baptist&#8217;s Final Testimony: &#8220;He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease&#8221; (John 3:22\u201336)\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-07T10:30:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1991,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Gospel of John\",\"He must increase but I must decrease\",\"Humility\",\"John 3 explained\",\"John the Baptist\",\"supremacy of Christ\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Christology\",\"Discipleship\",\"Gospel of John\",\"John the Baptist\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/\",\"name\":\"He Must Increase but I Must Decrease in Faith\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-08-07T10:30:00+00:00\",\"description\":\"Explore the meaning behind 'He must increase but I must decrease' and discover true discipleship through humility.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1\",\"width\":900,\"height\":450,\"caption\":\"John the Baptist's Final Testimony: \\\"He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease\\\" (John 3:22\u201336)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Christology\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/christology\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"John the Baptist&#8217;s Final Testimony: &#8220;He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease&#8221; (John 3:22\u201336)\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"Stand Firm\",\"description\":\"Growing in the Christian Faith\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"Person\",\"Organization\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce\",\"name\":\"John Clark\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/Johnsmug2.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/Johnsmug2.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/Johnsmug2.jpg\",\"width\":303,\"height\":360,\"caption\":\"John Clark\"},\"logo\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/Johnsmug2.jpg\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/www.standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/standfirmgrowinginfaith\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/channel\\\/UCQISofmi-G-m0Bxw6iAuegg\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/admin\\\/\",\"publishingPrinciples\":\"https:\\\/\\\/standingfirminfaith.com\\\/blog\\\/faith-hope-and-love\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"He Must Increase but I Must Decrease in Faith","description":"Explore the meaning behind 'He must increase but I must decrease' and discover true discipleship through humility.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"John the Baptist's Final Testimony: \"He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease\" (John 3:22\u201336) - Stand Firm","og_description":"Stand Firm - John the Baptist's Final Testimony: \"He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease\" (John 3:22\u201336)","og_url":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/","og_site_name":"Stand Firm","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/standfirmgrowinginfaith","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/standfirmgrowinginfaith","article_published_time":"2026-08-07T10:30:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":900,"height":450,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"John Clark","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"John Clark","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/"},"author":{"name":"John Clark","@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce"},"headline":"John the Baptist&#8217;s Final Testimony: &#8220;He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease&#8221; (John 3:22\u201336)","datePublished":"2026-08-07T10:30:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/"},"wordCount":1991,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1","keywords":["Gospel of John","He must increase but I must decrease","Humility","John 3 explained","John the Baptist","supremacy of Christ"],"articleSection":["Christology","Discipleship","Gospel of John","John the Baptist"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/","url":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/","name":"He Must Increase but I Must Decrease in Faith","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1","datePublished":"2026-08-07T10:30:00+00:00","description":"Explore the meaning behind 'He must increase but I must decrease' and discover true discipleship through humility.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1","width":900,"height":450,"caption":"John the Baptist's Final Testimony: \"He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease\" (John 3:22\u201336)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/he-must-increase-but-i-must-decrease-john-3-22-36\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Christology","item":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/category\/christology\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"John the Baptist&#8217;s Final Testimony: &#8220;He Must Increase, but I Must Decrease&#8221; (John 3:22\u201336)"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/","name":"Stand Firm","description":"Growing in the Christian Faith","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":["Person","Organization"],"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cc168f9d2468a23b34f3439932313fce","name":"John Clark","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Johnsmug2.jpg","url":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Johnsmug2.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Johnsmug2.jpg","width":303,"height":360,"caption":"John Clark"},"logo":{"@id":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Johnsmug2.jpg"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/www.standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/standfirmgrowinginfaith","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCQISofmi-G-m0Bxw6iAuegg"],"url":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/author\/admin\/","publishingPrinciples":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/faith-hope-and-love\/"}]}},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/John_the_Baptists_Final_Testimony_He_Must_Incre-twitter-1.jpeg?fit=900%2C450&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pco8Qn-13n","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4053"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4053\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4055,"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4053\/revisions\/4055"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/standingfirminfaith.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}