Ambition is often seen as a negative thing. But what does the Bible say about ambition? Are there any good examples of ambition in the Bible? In this blog post, we will explore 10 Bible verses about ambition and answer some common questions people have about this topic. We will also look at what it means to be ambitious for God and how to achieve our goals without sacrificing our integrity.
Scripture about Ambition
10 Bible Verses about Ambition
Luke 9:25 ESV
For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?
Matthew 23:12 ESV
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 6:33 ESV
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
1 Timothy 6:9 ESV
But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
1 John 2:16 ESV
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.
James 4:1-2 ESV
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
Philippians 2:4 ESV
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
John 5:44 ESV
How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
Romans 15:20 ESV
And thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,
Philippians 2:3 ESV
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
James 4:2 ESV
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.
https://www.openbible.info/topics/ambition
Scripture about Ambition KJV
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” -Romans 12:3-5
FAQ about Ambition in the Bible
To be ambitious for God means to have a deep desire to please Him and to do His will. It is an urge to grow closer to God in every way possible and to live a life that is honoring to Him. Ambition for God is not about trying to earn His approval or working hard to try and become good enough for Him. It is instead about a humble heart that desires nothing more than to be close to the Lord.Â
The Bible is clear that God condemns selfish ambition. In James 3:16, we read, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every evil practice.” And in Philippians 2:3, we are told, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Selfish ambition arises when we focus on our own desires and goals to the exclusion of others. We become so focused on what we want that we are no longer concerned about participating in or contributing to the common good. We become wrapped up in ourselves and our own interests.
Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” This Scripture is a great reminder that God has a purpose and plan for each of our lives even before we are born. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” This verse tells us that we are created by God and designed to do good works that He has already prepared for us.
The Lord says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When we set goals and pursue them with God’s guidance, we are cooperating with Him in bringing His plans for our lives into fruition. As we trust Him to lead us each step of the way, He will enable us to achieve all that He has planned for us. So be encouraged! With God on your side, you can accomplish anything!