Back in the 80’s, there was a movie that starred Michael J. Fox called The Secret of My Success. Success is something many of us strive after but it is often very elusive. Because of the elusiveness of success, we wonder “what is the secret?”

What is the Secret of Success?

Hardwork? Some think success is discovered through hard work. Success is not seen as something that is achieved overnight. It happens through many long hours, late nights, and early morning.

Good Fortune? Some think that success is found through good fortune. It is being in the right place at the right time.

People You Know? Some think that success comes from who you know. As the saying goes it is not what you know, but who you know.

A Combination of the Above? Malcolm Gladwell wrote a book called Outliers that studied “successful” people (as defined by the world). In summary, it showed that there was not one key to their success but many different factors coming together.

Definition of Success

Before we should talk about the secret to success, we should understand what success is. Success is something that is going to be defined in different ways by different people. For some success may be making lots of money. For another person it is living content in life. For another success is going to be defined by achievement.

As believers, success for us would be defined by the presence of the Fruit of the Spirit. Yesterday, we talked about the Fruit of the Spirit. God desires the Fruit of the Spirit to be abundantly produced in our lives. That is success as God defines success! If the Fruit of the Spirit is present in your life, you will possess a satisfaction that no other worldly success could bring you.

A Path Toward Success

There is an inseparable link between the Fruit of the Spirit and Jesus words in John 15. Here Jesus says:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5, ESV)

The secret to the success of the branch is its connection with the vine. The branch receives much-needed nutrition through the vine that enables it to produce abundant fruit. Without a strong connection to the vine, the fruit of the branch will be withered and useless.

God created us to produce. When he created Adam and Eve in Genesis, he said, “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). He made us for “success” according to his definition of success. And if that success is to be discovered, the path to that success will be living according to God design. That design is being connected to the true vine which is Jesus Christ.

So over the next few days, I want to look at what it means to be connected to the Christ. How do we remain in the vine and discover God’s fruitful abundance (success!)?

Questions for Reflection

1. What does it mean to remain in the vine?
2. What are some practical ways you stay connected to Christ?
3. How do you define success?
4. Share your comments below.

We could not talk about a Spirit-filled life without talking about the Fruit of the Spirit. The Fruit of the Spirit is not apples, oranges, watermelon, bananas and the like. The Fruit of the Spirit is what is produced in you and through you as a result of the Holy Spirit living in you. It is the natural by-product of God’s presence in your life.

Galatians 5:22–23 describe the Fruit of the Spirit:

“But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

To better understand the Fruit of the Spirit I have discovered an invaluable exercise is to write a definition for each of the fruit. Before you go any further, take out a pen & paper or start a new note on your computer or phone. Write a definition for each fruit. After you have written a definition, come up with a word or two that serve as an antonym to each fruit.

This is my list together with the antonyms:

Love

It is unconditional love that expects nothing in return. It is not based on emotion. It is an unwavering commitment toward the welfare of others. Opposite: Self-serving

Joy

It goes beyond happiness. Even in the midst of difficult circumstances when I may not be happy, I have joy. Opposite: Discontent

Peace

This is living with contentment in a world that is never satisfied. It is not that the storms of life cease, but that I find shelter from the storms through my relationship with Jesus. Opposite: Anxiety-filled

Patience

It is long-suffering. It is enduring. It is willing to wait. In a world of instant gratification, patience is rare. Opposite: impatient and high-strung

Kindness

It is compassion. It is care. It is generosity. It is the willingness to go out of my way for others and to be inconvenienced. Opposite: Privileged and elitist

Goodness

This is integrity. This is the courage to do the right thing even though it is the hard thing. It is to speak the truth in love even though I may be reviled for it. Opposite: Dishonest and deceitful

Faithfulness

This is having a stick-to-it-ness. This is a person who is true to their promises. They say what they mean and mean what they say. You can rely on them. Opposite: Unreliable

Gentleness

It is quick to listen and slow to speak. But when this person speaks, people listen. It is to put the desire for wisdom and understanding before the desire to be heard. Opposite: Overbearing, arrogant, divisive, melodramatic

Self-Control

I don’t know if I like any word that starts with “self.” Maybe a better word would be surrendered. Self-controlled is about being God-controlled. Opposite: Undiscerning and undisciplined

How is your list different from mine? How is it similar? Share in the comments below.

Questions for Reflection

1. How are the Fruit of the Spirit evident in your life?
2. What fruit do you feel are lacking?
3. Make a list of the Fruit of the Spirit and write your definition for each.
4. Share your comments.