How to Succeed in Life (Joshua 1:8)
By Lynette Kittle

Today's Bible Verse: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” - Joshua 1:8

Countless individuals are searching for the secrets of how to thrive in this life. In response to this search, there are thousands of books, articles, podcasts and more available, telling people how to succeed.

Yet God outlined in His Word all we need to know to be successful in this life and the life to come.

Still, few Christians are reading their Bibles on their own and failing to set aside time to study God’s word. Instead, hectic schedules have taken prominence, pushing God’s word to the back burner behind work, family, and even Church life in priority.

Because believers aren’t feeding on God’s word on their own, they’re not growing because, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness (Hebrews 5:13).

The Holy Spirit Will Teach Us

As well, often Christians believe they are inadequate or knowledgeable enough to read and study their Bibles on their own, not understanding how God has given us the best teacher we could possibly ever have to help us understand.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26).

In not realizing how God’s Word is alive and active, many are missing out on personally having the Holy Spirit reveal and teach them His truth.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitude of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

God’s Word Will Lead Us In Truth

Because many believers lives are so full, they look for resources where they don’t have to do the digging and studying on their own, looking for outlets where the Word can be spoon-fed to them and someone else tells them what God’s Word says.

While sitting under excellent Bible teaching can bring much understanding, sitting under ones who stray away from God’s truth can have devastating effects.

How many Christians have unknowingly sat under false teaching not knowing they were being led astray, because they weren’t able to recognize the error in biblical teaching, unequipped to discern the truth?

Sadly many Christians are getting their biblical training secondhand instead of reading it for themselves, letting others interpret it for them, telling them what it means and how to apply it to their lives.

Handle God’s Word Correctly

As well, many believers are leaning on their own understanding rather than what God’s word teaches, thinking they know what it says but not really knowing it.

Yet God calls us to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

It’s vital for us to know God’s word for ourselves because His words are able to go deep within us and transform us. “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14).

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, iBelieve.com, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, Startmarriageright.com, growthtrac.com, and more. She has an M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.