Anoited For Decrease

A local non-denominational (health and wealth, word of faith) preacher named R.J. McCowan has a TV broadcast called "Anointed for Increase". I jokingly said to my wife during one of his commercials, "I ought to start a broadcast called Anointed for Decrease." After saying that, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the ministry of John the Baptist and John's statement in John 3:30. John does indeed say that he must decrease. Perhaps what we need to be successful is less, as oftentimes a decrease is helpful. For example, a rose bush must be pruned. That is, the dead branches and blooms must be removed so that new growth can occur.

In Judges 7:7, the LORD said unto Gideon... "By the 300 men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place." God required Gideon to face a massive, seemingly insurmountable army. But, God first required that he narrow His own army down to only 300 men. Why? The Lord tells us why in verse 2; Gideon had too many people (32,000). We are inclined to think if we only had more we could succeed. If we only had more people, then we could win the battle. If we only had more money, then we could get past the enemy. If we only had more. No; our problem is not that we do not have enough; our problem is that we have too much!

What is the problem in our marriage, in our preaching and teaching, in our churches and denomination? Too much of us is the problem. There is too much of us in our marriage, there needs to be more Jesus. There is too much of us in our preaching and teaching, there needs to be more Jesus. There is too much of us in our church and denomination, there needs to be more Jesus. John the Baptist said it best... "He must increase, but I must decrease." John discovered that the less of us there is the better. Decreasing is the goal according to John.

What do you think; would you watch a TV broadcast called "Anointed For Decrease"?