A meaningful study of success must start with a proper definition. The world uses words like wealth, fame, and position to describe the good life. While those are types of achievement, true success means becoming the person God has called you to be and reaching the goals He helps you set.
God wrote the Book on triumphant living. He has woven His principles into the lives of people (saints), laid them out in Proverbs, and placed them on the lips of prophets and apostles. He is so thorough on this subject that no one has ever devised a better system. Plenty of people have tried to sell their own brand of success. But if you read their books, you'll notice something interesting: many of those authors have borrowed biblical standards, often unknowingly.
Even if a person reads every success book available, results are not guaranteed. In fact, the only sure way to live victoriously is God's way. The Lord stressed to Joshua the importance of remaining within His will. As long as Israel's new leader was abiding by scriptural precepts, he would be triumphant, as God intended. We can read a lot of books about living well, eating healthy, getting out of debt, climbing the corporate ladder, raising responsible kids, etc. Or we can follow the one Book that provides principles for success in all of those areas.
Some people look as if they're doing well on their own, but underneath is soul-deep turmoil. In contrast, God not only sets up believers for success; He holds them safely in His hand. When we are obedient to Him, even if we fail in the world's eyes, we still have joy, peace, and contentment.
Anytime I say that the Lord desires success for His children, someone tries to contradict me. A man or woman sitting in the congregation takes a look at him- or herself and thinks, Not me! I'm not winning at anything! I have two responses to help that person get a proper mindset. First, as yesterday's devotion noted, we must define success as God does. And second, we must follow His plan for triumphant living.
Step 1. Set goals according to God's will.
The Father has a tailor-made plan for every believer. Following it requires regular prayer and Scripture meditation. Only when our minds are focused upon Him can we discern the proper course for our lives.
Step 2. Walk obediently before God.
The Bible is packed with workable principles, because the Lord expects His people to use them. When we are applying His Word to our daily life, we cannot help living victoriously, even in times of trial and "defeat."
Step 3. Use gifts for God's glory.
Every believer is given the Holy Spirit as a Helper and Guide (John 14:16-17 <http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=5408289&ct=7318161>). Furthermore, when a person is saved, he or she receives one or more spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:6-8 <http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=5408289&ct=7318161>). God provides the Spirit and our gifts to aid in accomplishing the tasks He sets before us.
Success is conditional. God won't help us achieve goals that are outside His will. His ultimate plan is to transform you into the image of Jesus Christ, which is a rare kind of success indeed. He has already mapped out the perfect plan to get you from where you are to a flourishing spiritual life.
We are the product of our thinking, so it is important that we choose carefully where to focus our mental energy. We can cling to our old flesh patterns and consequently find ourselves tripping over impulses and attitudes like bitterness, pride, and discontent. The wise alternative is to reprogram our thinking to match that of Jesus Christ.
Our current thought processes-such as the way we view ourselves and others, and how we approach problems-have been programmed by authority figures, church, friends, and even enemies. We can select some of our mind's influences (e.g., the media) but not all (e.g., our parents). Yet we can choose what input will shape our mind by believing and dwelling on that material.
Reprogramming the mind is a matter of choosing to believe and meditate upon God's truth. When you receive Jesus Christ as Savior, your mind is renewed with a capacity for godly thought. It might not seem different at first. But the longer you live the Christian life and apply biblical principles, the more you'll find old habits and modes of thinking will be choked out. However, anytime you yield to temptation, you allow old thought patterns an opportunity to rise up and dominate first your mind, and then your mouth and hands.
The way to strangle fleshly thoughts and attitudes is to pour Scripture into the mind regularly and frequently (Ps. 119:11 <http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=5408289&ct=7318145>). When we allow our thinking to be directed by the thoughts of God-which is what the Bible is made of-we will think, speak, and act according to His will.
