The achieving of objectives or personal fulfilment. For believers, success depends on faithfulness to God. Success can lead to dependence on one's own strength, instead of upon God.
Causes of success
The favour of God
Genesis 39:23; Joshua 1:7; 2 Chronicles 20:20, 2 Chronicles 26:5
Human skill
Many advisers
Nothing can succeed that is against God
Proverbs 21:30 See also Acts 5:34–39
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
Examples of prayers for success
Genesis 24:12–15 success in personal relationships; 1 Chronicles 4:10; 2 Chronicles 14:11; Nehemiah 1:11 success in personal achievement; Acts 4:18–31 success in ministry
The dangers of success
Pride
2 Chronicles 25:19 See also 1 Samuel 2:3; Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 16:5; Micah 2:3
You have said, ‘Look, I have defeated Edom,’ and your heart has become proud and boastful. Now stay at home. Why should you stir up trouble so that you fall — you and Judah with you?”
Boasting
Ephesians 2:8 See also James 4:13–17; Psalm 10:3–4; Isaiah 10:15–16
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,
Forgetting God
Deuteronomy 32:18 See also Deuteronomy 8:11–17; Judges 3:7, Judges 8:33–34
You ignored the Rock who brought you forth; you forgot the God who gave you birth.
Lack of thankfulness
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.