A Spiritual & Practical Guide

Once upon a time, a dedicated Christian brother had a friend who ventured into poultry farming. The friend’s business flourished so well that the brother decided to follow the same path. Unfortunately, when he started his poultry business, it failed. We asked: What went wrong? Why is it that one person succeeds in a business, yet another tongue-talking, demon-chasing believer fails at the very same thing? The truth is this: businesses don’t just fail, people fail. And people fail because they lack the right knowledge, preparation, and principles to sustain success.

If you’ve been struggling in life, career, or business, stay with me. Failure in life, career, or business is not a random occurrence; it often stems from a lack of alignment with God’s principles and practical wisdom. In this message, I’ll show you why people fail and how you can avoid those pitfalls.

God expects you not only to succeed but also to sustain success. His promise is clear:

“This book of the law shall not depart from thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8 KJV

When we follow God’s word, He guarantees prosperity and good success. But why, then, do many still fail? The answer lies in understanding the spiritual and practical reasons behind failure and applying divine wisdom to overcome them.

Why People Fail:

1. Forgetting God as the Source
Placing your career or business above God is a recipe for failure. Acknowledge Him as the ultimate owner and seek His guidance daily. God teaches us to profit (Isaiah 48:17), but we must prioritise His will over personal ambition. Recognise God as your source. Seek His guidance daily before making decisions.

“But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth.” Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV

2. Faulty Perception and Vision
Copying someone else’s business or career path without God’s direction often leads to failure. Seek God’s specific vision for your life, as Proverbs 29:18 declares, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Let His Word guide your decisions. Many people start businesses because others are succeeding at them, not because God gave them that vision. Success comes when you pursue God-given vision, not borrowed ambition.

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25 KJV

3. Unfaithfulness to God and Others

Faithfulness is required of stewards (1 Corinthians 4:2). Honor God by paying tithes and supporting His work, and be transparent with business partners, employees, and stakeholders. Joseph’s faithfulness in Genesis 39:6 and Daniel’s integrity in Daniel 6:4 set a standard for success. Dishonesty or broken commitments sabotage progress.

“Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 KJV

4. Weak Preparation
Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Likewise, poor preparation hinders a worthy celebration. Invest in knowledge and skills relevant to your field so will be able to be among the top. Lack of preparation hinders celebration and sustainable success.

“Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.” 2 Chronicles 27:6

5. Selling the Wrong Product
Success requires offering the right product or service for your environment. In an environment of many challenges, there are a lot of businesses. Assess market needs before launching a venture. Selling what people don’t need, like “bread where they need electronics”, leads to failure. Pray for divine insight to identify the right opportunities.

6. Failure to Promote Your Business
Promotion attracts attention. Just having a product is not enough. Leverage platforms like social media to market your business effectively. Mastering sales and marketing is critical, as no business thrives without visibility. There must be an adequate plan for marketing your business. Get to know how to market your business all year round.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works.” Matthew 5:16

“I am the true vine, and my father is husbandman” John 15:1

7. Dishonesty & False Packaging
Integrity sustains success. Misrepresenting your product or service through false promises, dishonesty, and fake packaging may yield short-term gains but leads to long-term failure. Ensure your packaging reflects the true quality of your offering.

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” Proverbs 11:1

…to be continued