I once heard the phrase “more of Jesus and less of me”, and it stuck with me. At first, it sounded a bit abstract, but as I began to walk deeper with Christ, I realized just how crucial it was. I had been striving for control, success, and approval on my own terms, only to feel emptier. It wasn’t until I started surrendering my desires and allowing Jesus to take the lead that I truly experienced peace and fulfillment.
At its core, “more of Jesus and less of me” is about surrendering our will, desires, and pride in exchange for a deeper relationship with Christ. It comes from John 3:30, where John the Baptist says, “He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less” (John 3:30, NLT). John recognized that his own life and ministry were not about glorifying himself, but about pointing others to Jesus.
This mindset shift is crucial for all believers. It means we must set aside our selfish ambitions, our need for control, and our desire for worldly success, allowing Christ to increase in every part of our lives. When we allow Jesus to fill us, His love, grace, and humility replace our selfishness and pride, and we become more like Him.
But this is just the beginning—living out “more of Jesus and less of me” offers even more insight that can transform your walk with Christ.
Surrendering Our Desires for His Will
One of the most profound ways to apply “more of Jesus and less of me” is through the act of surrender. This means giving up our personal desires and ambitions to align with God’s will. Jesus modeled this surrender perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42, NLT).
In our everyday lives, surrendering can look like choosing to let go of our control over situations, trusting that God’s plan is better than ours. For example, if you’re pursuing a career path that feels right to you but isn’t bringing peace or joy, it might be time to ask God if He has something different in store. Practically, this means we stop striving in our own strength and begin seeking His direction through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel.
A surrendered heart opens the door for God to work more fully in our lives. When we prioritize God’s will, we experience His peace, even in difficult circumstances. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) reminds us to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Shifting from Self-Glorification to Christ-Glorification
Another application of “more of Jesus and less of me” is learning to shift our focus from glorifying ourselves to glorifying Christ. In today’s culture, it’s easy to get caught up in self-promotion, whether it’s through social media, career achievements, or personal accomplishments. But the Bible teaches us that our lives should point to Christ, not ourselves.
Paul’s life is a beautiful example of this shift. In Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT), Paul writes, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Paul realized that his accomplishments and status were nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
To apply this in our own lives, we can start by examining our motives. Are we seeking validation from others, or are we more concerned with bringing glory to God? A practical step is to humble ourselves in our interactions, choosing to serve others instead of seeking recognition. Philippians 2:3 (NLT) says, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” This humble mindset allows Christ’s character to shine through us.
Growing in Christ-Likeness
When we focus on “more of Jesus,” we are called to grow in Christ-likeness. This means reflecting His love, compassion, patience, and humility in our relationships and daily interactions. The more we allow Christ to fill us, the more His qualities begin to flow through us, transforming the way we treat others.
One practical way to grow in Christ-likeness is by adopting a servant’s heart. Jesus Himself said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NLT). When we serve others—whether through acts of kindness, listening, or helping those in need—we are reflecting Jesus. This shift from self-centeredness to other-centeredness opens the door for God to use us in powerful ways.
Moreover, as we grow in Christ-likeness, we begin to live out the fruits of the Spirit: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT). These characteristics are not something we can manufacture on our own—they are the result of the Holy Spirit working within us as we surrender more of ourselves to Christ.
Cultivating a Life of Prayer and Worship
If we want more of Jesus in our lives, we need to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him through prayer and worship. Spending time in God’s presence allows us to be filled with His Spirit, and it’s in those moments that we align our hearts with His.
A practical way to grow in this area is by setting aside time each day for personal prayer and worship. This could look like starting your morning with a few moments of prayer, thanking God for His goodness and asking Him to guide your day. Psalm 145:18 (NLT) tells us, “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”
In addition to personal prayer, worship is another way we can invite more of Jesus into our lives. Worship is not just about singing songs at church—it’s about expressing our love and devotion to God in all we do. Whether it’s through music, service, or simply living in a way that honors Him, worship shifts our focus away from ourselves and onto God, allowing Him to take His rightful place in our hearts.
Trusting Jesus with Every Aspect of Our Lives
Finally, living out “more of Jesus and less of me” means trusting Jesus with every aspect of our lives—our relationships, careers, finances, and futures. Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) says, “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” When we trust Jesus with everything, we acknowledge that He knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t understand His plans.
In my own life, I’ve found that trusting God is not always easy, but it brings incredible peace. I’ve had to let go of certain dreams and desires, but in doing so, I’ve experienced His faithfulness in ways I never imagined. Trusting God with every area of our lives is an ongoing process, but as we surrender, we make room for Jesus to work in us and through us.
Conclusion: A Daily Commitment to Letting Jesus Increase
Living a life of “more of Jesus and less of me” is not something that happens overnight—it’s a daily commitment to surrendering our desires, pride, and control. It means living with humility, glorifying Christ, and growing in His likeness. As we cultivate prayer, worship, and trust in Jesus, we create space for Him to increase in our lives, transforming us from the inside out.
In the end, this journey is about becoming more like Christ so that when others see us, they see His love, grace, and humility shining through.