How do you define success?

In this temporal arena, people often search for success and satisfaction in the things that will not endure. They look to money, job security, family, romantic love, and a hundred other means of success that will pass away.

True success, as God defines it, is that we become like Him. He has put us where we are for a purpose. Our calling is to manifest the aroma of Christ in our sphere of influence. If we do so, we will have lived well, even if we don’t have worldly success.

In the book of Proverbs, we see the contrast between true and false success manifested by the two different calls of Folly and Wisdom. Both personified as women, they send out invitations to those listening in the streets.

Folly offers a lazy path, one that results in temporal success. She calls for her followers to enjoy their lives and not worry about treating others well. Their transitory satisfaction is all that matters.

Wisdom, on the other hand, calls out for the fools to find her and submit to her instruction. This path requires rigor and discipline, but it is well worth it. After all, both paths have eternal consequences. Folly leads only to death, but true wisdom found in Christ leads to eternal life.

A Guide to Practicing God’s Presence is a training guide that can help you develop discipline to gain godly wisdom.

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The Proverbs transcripts used in this video are available online.