The life of Jesus is recorded in the Bible for a reason—He is the perfect example for us to follow. 1 Peter 2:21 tells us,
"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."
Jesus lived a life of absolute perfection. He committed no sin (1 Peter 2:22) and never once spoke deceitfully or retaliated when wronged (1 Peter 2:23). His life was marked by unwavering commitment to God’s will, both in how He lived and in His ultimate sacrifice on the cross (1 Peter 2:24).
But how did He do it? How did Jesus resist temptation and remain sinless despite Satan’s constant attacks? And more importantly, how can we follow His example and live successfully in God’s eyes?
The Four Keys to Jesus’ Success
Key #1: Jesus Did Not Prioritize the Things of This World
In Matthew 4, we see Jesus being tempted by Satan after fasting for forty days. Satan’s first attack was aimed at Jesus’ hunger:
"If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread" (Matthew 4:3).
Jesus could have easily done this, but instead, He responded:
"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4).
Jesus saw past His physical hunger. His priority was not earthly comfort but obedience to God. He understood that the things of this world—food, wealth, and pleasure—are temporary. In Matthew 6:19-21, He teaches,
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The book of Ecclesiastes reinforces this truth. King Solomon, despite having everything—wealth, power, and pleasure—concluded that it was all meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). True success is not found in earthly gain but in pleasing God.
For us, this means we must not prioritize worldly things over our relationship with God. While money, careers, and possessions are not inherently sinful, they become a problem when they take precedence over our faith.
Key #2: Jesus Relied on the Word of God
Each time Jesus was tempted, His response began with, “It is written…” He relied on Scripture as His source material—His ultimate authority and guide.
Psalm 1:1-3 describes the person who delights in God’s Word as a tree planted by streams of water, thriving because it has an unending source of life. Psalm 19 declares that God’s Word revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and endures forever.
Today, many people turn to friends, social media, or entertainment for guidance. But if we want to live successfully like Jesus, we must make Scripture our foundation. It must be what we turn to for answers, for wisdom, and for strength in times of temptation.
Key #3: Jesus Let God Be God
In Matthew 4:5-7, Satan tempts Jesus to test God by throwing Himself off the temple. Jesus responds,
"You shall not put the Lord your God to the test."
Jesus understood that it was not His place to force God’s hand or demand signs. He trusted God’s will completely.
Too often, we try to make our desires align with God’s will instead of truly seeking His will. We pray, "God, I want this… but only if it's Your will," while inwardly hoping that God will agree with us. Sometimes, we push ahead with our own plans, assuming that success means God must have approved.
But Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us,
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
We must learn to trust God fully, surrendering to His plans instead of trying to fit Him into ours.
Key #4: Jesus Made Worshiping God His Priority
The final temptation in Matthew 4:8-10 is when Satan offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship. Jesus refuses, saying,
"You shall worship the LORD your God, and serve Him only."
Jesus understood that God alone is worthy of worship. He made worship a priority—not just something He attended, but something He did.
Many people think of worship as a noun—something we go to on Sundays and Wednesdays. But worship is also a verb—it is something we actively do every day. Psalm 145:2 says,
"Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever."
True worship is not confined to a church service. It means prioritizing God in everything, living with an attitude of praise, and refusing to let anything—whether money, career, or personal ambitions—take His place.
Applying These Keys to Our Lives
Jesus’ life was the ultimate success story—not in worldly terms, but in spiritual ones. And while we will never be perfect as He was, we can follow His example by:
Not prioritizing the things of this world
Relying on God’s Word as our guide
Trusting God’s will instead of trying to control everything
Making worship a daily priority
Are you living successfully by these standards?
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