Spiritual -vs- Worldly Success

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; 

but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, 

that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; 

for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Joshua 1:8

Successful people are often asked, "What is the secret of your success?" Those in the world system often list education, position, ambition, talent, power, and money as secrets of success. Many books have been written on the subject, but the true principles of success are recorded in God's word.  

A proper spiritual foundation  as indicated in Hebrews 6:1-3 is necessary in order to apply Biblical success principles in our life and ministry.

In God's Kingdom, success is "the maximum use of one's gifts and abilities within the range of responsibilities given by God". You are successful when you properly use your spiritual resources for the work of God.

Success in God's Kingdom differs from worldly standards of success. The world views success materially. God views it spiritually. In God's Kingdom there is a different standard that defines success. The world sets its own standard. The standard set by God is called "faithfulness".

There is a difference in the basis of success. The basis of success in the world is changing and temporal. In God's Kingdom, the basis of success is stable and eternal because it is based on revealed truth. The believer's motives for success varies from the unbeliever. In the world, people are motivated by greed, pride, and the desire for fame. Believers are motivated to succeed for God's glory.

There is a different model of success in God's Kingdom. The world looks to rich and powerful men. Our model is the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a different goal of success. Money, power and position are stressed as worldly goals. The goal in God's Kingdom is Christlikeness.

Success in God's Kingdom emphasizes giving instead of getting, serving instead of position, humbleness instead of pride, meekness instead of power. The world views success in terms of what you are doing. God views it in terms of who you are according to your heart. Excellence of character is stressed rather than excellence of achievement.

In God's Kingdom, success is not measured by what you are currently. It is measured by what you are compared to what you could be according to how God sees you. Success is not measured by what you do for God. Spiritual success is measured by what you are currently doing compared to what you could be doing according to God's will.

God wants you to be successful in your christian walk. He wants you to accomplish the purpose and plans He has for you. Spiritual "secrets of success" are not really secret. They are openly declared in God's Word. They are only "secret" because people refuse to seek and find them.  But here are some very important basic principles:

♥         Have A Proper Heart Attitude:

Success begins with the hidden man of the heart:

. . . For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.   1 Samuel 16:7

A proper heart attitude includes love, humility, obedience, a serving spirit, and true holiness.

♥         Know The Source Of Success:

It is not what you know, but who you know that makes you successful. Relationship is based on who you know, not what you know. All of life is based on relationship. 

WHO you know (Jesus) not WHAT you know gets you to Heaven.

Knowing the Lord results in success:

Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in His wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches.  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth... (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits, and they that understand among the people shall instruct many. (Daniel 11:32-33)

♥        Seek The Lord:

Seeking the Lord means waiting on Him by inquiring of Him, praying, and studying the Word of God in order to know Him and do His will. The benefits of seeking the Lord were proven by a godly king of Judah called Hezekiah. He sought God and this is the reason for his success:

And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.  And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek His God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.   2 Chronicles 31:20-21

It is also said of a king named Uzziah:

. . . And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.   2 Chronicles 26:5

It is important to seek the Lord because God desires to reveal His plans and purposes to believers

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.  Amos 3:7

♥     Meditate On The Word:

Success is promised to those who meditate on the Word of God. The Lord told Joshua:

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein;. . .    Joshua 1:8

"Meditate" means "to think about, dwell on, recall, and study in detail".   For the beliver, one who meditates believes God has spoken to man, that the Bible is a record of what He has said, and that God's Word is true.

♥         Obey The Word:

It is not just meditation that results in success, it is also obedience to the Word...

. . . that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

Before Solomon became the King of Israel, David gave him this counsel:

Now, my son, the Lord be with thee; and prosper thee, and build the house of the Lord thy God, as He hath said of thee.  Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God.   1 Chronicles 22:11-12

Every commandment in God's Word is important. Keeping these commandments will make you successful.

Not only must you personally meditate on and obey the Word of God, you must elevate it to its proper place of authority before the people you lead. Read how Nehemiah restored the authority of God's Word in Nehemiah 8:1-8. The reforms Nehemiah made would not have lasted apart from the authority of God's Word. A ministry based on the authority of the Word will always succeed.

♥         Be Called Of God:

You will not be successful unless you know and minister in the specific calling of God, using the spiritual gifts which He has given you.

♥         Experience The Presence Of God:

It is the presence of God that prospers ministry:

And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.   Genesis 39:2-3

God can only be "with you" when you are walking in fellowship with Him, ministering in your specific calling, and living a holy life.

♥         Have The Anointing Of God:

You need this anointing to be successful in your christian walk.

Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;  2 Corinthians 1:21

♥         Face Problems And Decisions:

Refusing to face problems and decisions leads to failure. Confront problems promptly and make decisions wisely using the strategies you’ve learned from the inspired word of God.  

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.  Joshua 1:9

♥         Know Your Purpose:

God has a specific purpose for each believer. Knowing your purpose involves having spiritual vision, a knowledge of why you exist and what God has called you to do.

A man with a vision does not live in the past, fretting over mistakes and failures or gloating over success. A vision and clear knowledge of purpose helps you focus on the future. As Apostle Paul said:

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before...   Philippians 3:13



(Biblical Studies)




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