Success Isn’t About Proving Them Wrong – It’s About Proving Yourself Right by Olukayode J Daniels

Success Isn’t About Proving Them Wrong – It’s About Proving Yourself Right

Many people chase success to silence critics, but true success is not about proving others wrong; it’s about fulfilling your God-given potential and validating the vision within you. The Bible encourages us to focus on God's purpose rather than the opinions of others.

1. Success Comes from Fulfilling Purpose, Not Seeking Approval

• Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
  → Your success is based on God's plan for you, not people's expectations.

• Galatians 1:10 – “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
  → Living to prove others wrong leads to a life of striving, but success in Christ is about fulfilling His purpose.

2. True Success Is Internal Validation, Not External Recognition

• Proverbs 16:3 – "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."
  → Success comes from aligning your plans with God's will, not seeking human validation.

• 2 Corinthians 10:12 – "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
  → Comparing yourself to others or proving them wrong is unwise; instead, measure success by your God-given purpose.

3. Proving Yourself Right Requires Faith and Hard Work

• Habakkuk 2:2-3 – “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
  → Success is about seeing your vision through to fulfillment, not just silencing doubters.

• Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
  → Your success is rooted in God’s strength, not in proving others wrong.

4. Your Success Should Inspire, Not Provoke

• Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
  → Success should be a testimony of God’s goodness, not a response to critics.

• Genesis 39:2-3 – "And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man… and his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand."
  → Joseph's success wasn't about proving his brothers wrong but about fulfilling God's plan for his life.

Conclusion

True success is not fueled by competition or the desire to prove others wrong. It is about proving to yourself—and ultimately to God—that you are faithful to your calling, diligent in your work, and walking in His purpose. Instead of focusing on naysayers, focus on fulfilling your destiny and glorifying God.

Final Charge

• Colossians 3:23 – "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."