High school teachers, college professors and grad school doctorates all have their own opinions on the secret to success. Hollywood directors and famous authors have also chimed in on this topic. Over the past 40 years of asking questions, praying for insight and studying the Bible, I have stumbled upon verses that reveal the secrets to biblical success.
My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you. 3 Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. 4 So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man, Proverbs 3:1-4.
According to Old Testament historians, King Solomon was considered one of the wisest individuals of his generation. According to 1 Kings 3:28 and 1 Kings 4:29-34, God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure. Subsequently, people came from all over the Mediterranean to hear Solomon speak and teach. The above passage serves as a blueprint on how to be successful.
The plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart). 3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed, Proverbs 16:1-3.
Meanwhile, whenever human beings think they know better than God, Solomon corrects those who possess a flawed mindset. ” Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails.” You can make this easy by submitting to God’s will, Romans 12:1-2, or act like Jonah who ran in the complete opposite direction of God’s calling, Jonah 1:1-4. The secret to biblical success can be found in Proverbs 3:5-6. When you trust in the Lord’s understanding, He will make your paths straight.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 