I have realised from experience and by careful observation that there are five forces that silently determine whether a man will rise like Joseph or remain stuck like the sons of Sceva.
These five pillars govern success in ministry, business, career, relationships; even in simple things like cooking jollof rice.
Ignore them and even your prayer points will start asking who sent me?
Let’s dive in…
- WHAT YOU KNOW
Ignorance is not a demon; yet it has destroyed more destinies than demons have.
Hosea didn’t say, “My people perish because Satan is powerful.” He said, “My people perish for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Even David; anointed, chosen, courageous; did not face Goliath until he knew how to use a sling.
Anointing without knowledge is like giving a Ferrari to someone who can’t drive. They will still trek.
- WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT YOU KNOW
Knowledge unused is like a Bible never opened; powerful, but powerless in your hands.
The difference between the wise and foolish virgins was not revelation; it was application (Matthew 25:1–13).
The foolish virgins knew they needed oil. They simply did nothing with the knowledge.
Many people attend 7 conferences, 10 webinars, 32 vigils; but still won’t take one practical step.
Even faith, without works, is dead. And please note: dead faith does not resurrect on Easter Sunday.
- HOW YOU DO IT
Excellence is not a gift of the Spirit; it’s a discipline of the soul.
Cain and Abel both gave offerings. It wasn’t about what they gave; it was about how they gave it (Genesis 4:3–5).
Some people pray, but the attitude is like someone reporting their landlord to God.
Some preach, but with the passion of a generator running on low fuel.
Some run businesses with customer service that can make a grown man cry.
How you do it matters.
People don’t only reward effort; they reward excellence.
- WHO YOU KNOW
Let’s be sincere: sometimes the difference between “approved” and “try again next year” is access.
Joseph interpreted dreams, but interpretation alone didn’t promote him.
It was knowing the butler, who knew Pharaoh, that opened the palace door for him (Genesis 41:9–14).
Divine connections are real.
God can use one person to change your story in 24 hours.
This is why relationships are not optional; they are destiny pathways.
- WHO KNOWS YOU
It is possible to know great people and still remain invisible.
David played the harp long before Saul ever heard of him.
It took one man to say, “I have seen a son of Jesse…” (1 Samuel 16:18).
That recommendation shifted him from obscurity to visibility.
Sometimes success doesn’t come because you know people…
It comes because the right people know you.
Your gifts, your character, your consistency, your integrity; these announce you even in rooms you’ve never entered.
IN SUMMARY…
Success is not a mystery.
Effectiveness is not luck.
Breakthrough is not magic.
They are the results of:
What you know
What you do with what you know
How you do it
Who you know
And who knows you
Even miracles follow this pattern.
Even Jesus grew “in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.”
Wisdom (what you know).
Stature (what you do consistently).
Favour with God (who you know).
Favour with men (who knows you) — Luke 2:52.
If Jesus followed this order… who are we to ignore it?
I hope I have made little sense to someone?
shalom!
#pstnath
Jesus is Lord
