Success is often measured by the world’s standards, but the Bible gives a different perspective. Today, we’ll see what God’s Word says about true success and how to achieve it His way.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Praying In The Spirit
What Does The Bible Say About Being Successful
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
This verse emphasizes the importance of meditating on God’s Word and following His commands. By aligning our actions and thoughts with God’s Word, we can experience true and lasting success.
Success in the biblical sense goes beyond material wealth or worldly achievements. It is about living a life that brings glory to God and walking in obedience to His will.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
This verse reminds us to submit our plans and endeavors to the Lord. When we acknowledge God’s sovereignty and seek His guidance in our work, He will establish and bless our efforts.
True success comes through surrendering our desires to God and trusting Him to direct our paths. It involves seeking His will above our own and allowing Him to bring about His perfect plans in our lives.
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he mediates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
This passage highlights the importance of avoiding negative influences and finding delight in God’s Word. By immersing ourselves in His truth and living according to His principles, we can experience spiritual prosperity and bear fruit in all areas of life.
Success, from a biblical perspective, involves living in alignment with God’s Word and experiencing His blessings and guidance in every aspect of our lives.
Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
This verse reminds us that our abilities and strength come from God. When we rely on His power and seek His help, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
Success is not about relying on our own strength or abilities but trusting in God to empower and guide us. With His strength in us, we can overcome challenges and accomplish great things for His glory.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
This verse assures us that God has good plans for our lives. He desires our well-being and has a future filled with hope in store for us.
Success is not solely based on our efforts but on surrendering to God’s plans and trusting His faithfulness. When we align our lives with His purpose and trust in His promises, we can walk in confidence, knowing that our future is secure in Him.
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
This verse reminds us that success often involves facing trials and persevering through them. When we remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God during difficult times, we will receive the ultimate reward of eternal life.
True success is not measured by an absence of trials but by our response to them. In persevering through trials with unwavering faith, we grow closer to God and become more like Christ, experiencing the true blessings He has in store for us.
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
This verse teaches us that as we find our delight and satisfaction in the Lord, He will align our desires with His will and grant them to us.
Success is not solely about achieving our own desires but about aligning our desires with God’s desires for us. As we prioritize our relationship with Him and seek His kingdom first, we can trust that He will guide us and fulfill the desires of our hearts in His perfect timing.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
This passage reminds us to place our complete trust in the Lord and not solely rely on our own understanding or plans. As we acknowledge Him in all aspects of our lives, He will direct our paths and lead us towards success.
True success comes when we surrender our own limited understanding to God’s infinite wisdom and guidance. By trusting in His leading and seeking His will, we can navigate through life with confidence, knowing that He is faithfully guiding our steps.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
This verse reminds us to prioritize seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness above all else. When we align our lives with His will and seek to please Him above our own desires, He promises to provide for our needs.
True success involves putting God first in every area of our lives and seeking His righteousness. As we trust in Him and focus on His kingdom, He will bless us, fulfill our needs, and grant us the true satisfaction and fulfillment that worldly success cannot provide.
Psalm 90:17
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
This verse is a prayer for God’s favor and guidance to be upon the work of our hands. It recognizes our need for His divine intervention and acknowledges that true success comes from His blessing and establishment of our efforts.
Success is not solely about our own striving and abilities but about surrendering our work to God and relying on His favor and direction. When we invite Him into our endeavors, He will establish and bless the work of our hands, leading us towards true success in Him.
Psalm 128:2
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.
This verse emphasizes that those who work diligently and in alignment with God’s will shall reap the fruits of their labor. It assures us of God’s blessings and well-being when we commit our efforts to Him.
Success is not solely about achieving material wealth or recognition but about experiencing God’s blessings and goodness in all areas of life. As we work faithfully and honor God with our labors, He will bless us and bring about a sense of fulfillment and well-being that can only come from Him.
Psalm 20:4
May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
This verse is a prayer for God to grant the desires of our hearts and fulfill our plans according to His will. It recognizes God’s sovereignty and our need for His guidance and provision in our endeavors.
True success involves submitting our desires and plans to God and trusting Him to bring about their fulfillment. As we seek His will and align our hearts with His, He will grant us the desires that are in line with His purpose, leading to true and lasting success.
Psalm 112:3
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.
This verse recognizes that wealth and riches can be found in the house of the righteous. It affirms that true success is not limited to material possessions but encompasses righteousness and enduring blessings.
Success, from a biblical standpoint, involves living a righteous and upright life, following God’s commands, and experiencing the abundant blessings that come from walking in obedience to Him. It is a holistic view of success that goes beyond earthly riches.
Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
This verse reminds us of God’s faithfulness in bestowing favor and honor upon those who walk uprightly before Him. It assures us that He withholds no good thing from those who live in obedience to His commands.
Success, in the eyes of God, involves living a life of integrity and obedience. As we walk uprightly before Him, He will grant us His favor, honor, and withhold no good thing from us. This encompasses not only material blessings but also spiritual blessings and the fulfillment of our deepest desires that align with His will.
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
This passage encourages us to approach our work and endeavors with wholeheartedness, as if we are serving the Lord rather than men. It reminds us that true success comes from orienting ourselves towards God and seeking to please Him above all else.
Success is about working with excellence and integrity, not for the approval or recognition of others, but for the glory of God. It involves surrendering our work to Him and trusting that He will reward our faithfulness and commitment to serving Him in all that we do.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
This verse uses the analogy of a race to teach us about the pursuit of success. It encourages us to run with the mindset of obtaining the prize, emphasizing the need for determination and focus.
Success, from a biblical perspective, requires diligence, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of God’s purpose and calling in our lives. It motivates us to press on and strive for excellence, knowing that the ultimate prize is found in fulfilling God’s plan for us.
Psalm 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.
This verse urges us to entrust our journey and path to the Lord, having unwavering trust in His ability to guide and intervene on our behalf.
True success involves releasing control and surrendering our plans and desires to God. As we place our trust in Him and allow Him to direct our steps, He will act on our behalf, leading us towards success according to His perfect will and timing.
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.
This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness as a key component of true success. It warns against a mindset solely focused on quick riches and emphasizes the blessings that come from a faithful and steady pursuit of God’s will.
Success, in God’s eyes, is not about instant gratification or pursuing wealth at all costs. It involves faithfully following His commands, cultivating patience, and trusting in His provision. As we prioritize faithfulness, God will pour out His blessings upon us in ways that surpass material wealth.
Psalm 20:7
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
This verse contrasts two different sources of trust – earthly resources and the name of the Lord. It emphasizes the importance of placing our ultimate trust in God rather than relying on worldly means.
True success involves recognizing that our ultimate source of strength and provision is God Himself. As we trust in Him, depend on His guidance, and acknowledge His sovereignty, He will lead us towards the success that stems from His wisdom and power.
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
This verse calls us to live a life of obedience and gratitude in all that we do, acknowledging God’s authority and provision.
Success, from a biblical standpoint, involves aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with the name of Jesus. It is about living a life that brings glory to God and extending gratitude for His abundant blessings. By doing so, we can experience true success that transcends worldly recognition and achievements.
Psalm 84:12
O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
This verse offers a simple yet profound statement on the blessings that come from placing our trust in the Lord.
True success is found in trusting in God, relying on His wisdom, and surrendering our lives to His guidance. As we trust in Him wholeheartedly, we position ourselves to receive the fullness of His blessings and experience the true satisfaction that comes from walking in His ways.
Psalm 128:1
Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways!
This verse declares the blessedness of those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. It emphasizes that true success is found in a life of reverence and obedience to God.
Success, according to the Bible, is not simply about personal achievements or worldly recognition. It is about living a life that acknowledges and honors God, walking in His ways, and experiencing His abundant blessings and favor.