Scaring Away the Prospective Bride

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

The most delicate mission on earth is to win souls for Jesus 

• without intruding on their affections and affinities and sympathies 
• by our own personal fascination. 
• There is neither discouragement nor self-absorbed humility in John’s statement, 
• but the passionate realization of his position. 

As a Christian worker I am about the most sacred business, 

• seeking to win souls to the Lord Jesus, 
• ministering to the holy relationship of Bridegroom and bride. 
• That is my business, 
• and I must be watchful in case any mood or disposition of my own 
• should give a false impression of the Bridegroom 
• and scare away the prospective bride. 

I am here for His sake, 

• and I have to take care not to damage His reputation. 
• It may sometimes mean scaring a soul away from myself 
• in order that Jesus Christ’s attraction may tell.

I must be jealously careful 

• in case the impression given of my Lord in a public address is erased 
• when I come into the homes of my hearers. 
• As a beautiful saint I may be a hindrance because I do not present Jesus Christ, 
• but only what He has done, 
• and the impression is left—“What a fine character!” 
• I am increasing all the time, not Jesus Christ.

Adapted Excerpt From

The Place of Help

Oswald Chambers