The Sweetest Words You'll Ever Hear Are Not Your Own Name

When I got married, I stood at the altar holding my bride's hand, and off to my left stood my best man. Now picture that best man leaning over mid-ceremony and mumbling, "You know what? I think I ought to have her." Gentlemen, you'd have a problem on your hands. A real one. That fella's going home with a black eye and a bloody nose.

But that's not what a true friend of the bridegroom does. He stands there overjoyed. He's not jealous. He's happy. The Bible says he "rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice" (John 3:29). He came to point everyone to the groom, not to himself.

That's John the Baptist. The celebrity preacher of his day, the man everybody wanted to crowd around. And when his own disciples got bent out of shape because the people were leaving John and running to Jesus, John didn't sulk. He smiled and said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

Seven words that go against everything this world preaches. Build your brand. Grow your followers. Climb the ladder. Be a VIP — a Very Important Person. John says no. Be a Very Intentional Decreaser.

And here's the secret to being truly happy. It isn't found in getting what you want. It's found the day you catch yourself glad — really glad — that somebody else got what they needed. And what every soul needs is the Increaser, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The true path to greatness doesn't climb higher. It bows lower. Your greatest achievement is not making your name known. It's making His name known. And the sweetest words you will ever hear in your life are not "look at me."

They're "look at Him."

If this pointed you to Him, point somebody else to it. Not to build this little blog — I couldn't care less about that. Send it because there's a soul who needs the Increaser, and you just might be the friend who points them to the Bridegroom.

Pastor Fortunato
Founding Pastor & Preacher of the Word.
Pilgrim Baptist Church — Cookeville, Tennessee

https://pilgrimbaptist.church/
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/pilgrimbaptist/