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

David picked out five smooth stones from the brook. No doubt there were many stones to choose from. But he needed a specific kind of stone for the giant he was about to face.

He needed smooth stones.

But why did they need to be smooth?

Had David casually grabbed five random rocks, he might have ended up with jagged rocks or stones that were too big for his sling. A jagged rock would get caught on the sling, reducing the speed and accuracy of the stone being slung. A rock too large would have made it difficult for David to wield. The stone had to be smooth in order to be used.

But those stones did not become smooth over night. The smoothing process was one that took time and required decreasing.

As the stones laid in the bottom of the brook with the water rushing over them, their jagged edges began to lose their sharpness. Their bulkiness began to erode. And the longer they stayed in the water, the smoother they became. Then one day, a shepherd boy had an assignment from the God of Israel that would require their assistance.

As believers, our Christian walk can be compared to these five stones.

Are we like those rocks with sharp, jagged edges? Or have we allowed the water of God’s Word to smooth us out so that we might be meet for the Master’s use?

Dying to self is necessary for the Lord to increase in our lives. Allowing His Word to mold us into usable vessels requires us to decrease.

We cannot expect to be greatly used of God if we are not willing to submit to the washing of the Word. David could not have defeated his Goliath with the casual toss of an ordinary rock. I wonder what giants remain in our lives because we refuse to decrease.  

John 3:30 indicates that His increase in our lives is dependent upon our decrease with the word but. But is a conditional conjunction in this context, meaning one action is dependent upon another. Therefore, if there is to be an increase of Him in our lives, we must first decrease.