When Ambition\\

Selfish ambition: a desire for personal aggrandisement

Mark 10:36–37 NASB 2020

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.”

See also Ge 11:4 the men of Babel; 2 Sa 15:1–4 Absalom; 1 Ki 1:5 Adonijah; Is 14:13–14 the king of Babylon; Eze 28:2 the ruler of Tyre; Da 11:36–38; Mic 7:3; Hab 2:4–5; Mt 20:21; Lk 22:24; Php 1:17; 2 Th 2:4–7 the antichrist

Selfish ambition arises from fallen human nature

Galatians 5:19–21 NASB 2020

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

See also Pr 6:18; Eph 2:3; 1 Jn 2:16

The results of selfish ambition

Humiliation by God

Matthew 23:12 NASB 2020

12 Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

The believer becomes spiritually unproductive

See also Mk 4:18–19; Jas 3:14–16

Warnings against selfish ambition

Philippians 2:3 NASB 2020

3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;

See also Je 45:5 God’s word to Baruch