Ambition in itself isn’t necessarily bad, but the Bible warns us about the dangers of selfish ambition. Scripture encourages us to seek God’s will in our lives and pursue goals that honor Him. It’s about balancing drive with humility and keeping our motives aligned with God’s purpose.
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What Does The Bible Say About ambition
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
This verse reminds us that our primary ambition should be to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness. When we prioritize God’s will and align our ambitions with His, He promises to provide for our needs.
It’s important to remember that our earthly ambitions should never supersede our spiritual growth and relationship with God. When we seek Him first, our ambitions will fall into place according to His perfect plan.
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of entrusting our ambitions and plans to the Lord. When we commit our actions and aspirations to God, He will guide and establish them for His glory.
Our ambitions should be rooted in our faith and aligned with God’s will. By surrendering our plans to Him, we invite His wisdom and direction, ensuring that our ambitions are in line with His greater purpose for our lives.
Proverbs 21:5
“The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”
This verse highlights the importance of diligent planning and hard work in achieving our ambitions. When we approach our goals with diligence and perseverance, we are more likely to succeed and experience the rewards of our efforts.
Rather than rushing into things impulsively, it is wise to carefully plan and consider the steps required to achieve our ambitions. Diligence and patience lead to fruitful outcomes, while haste and impatience can lead to detrimental consequences.
Psalm 37:4
“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of finding delight in the Lord. When we prioritize our relationship with Him and seek His will, He promises to fulfill the desires of our hearts.
Our ambitions should be aligned with God’s desires for us, and as we align ourselves with Him, He will shape our desires to reflect His perfect plan. When our hearts are aligned with His, our ambitions become an overflow of His love and purpose in our lives.
Proverbs 14:23
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
This verse reminds us that achieving our ambitions requires more than just words or intentions – it necessitates hard work and action. Mere talking or dreaming without taking tangible steps towards our goals will not lead to success.
If we want to see our ambitions come to fruition, we must be willing to put in the necessary effort and perseverance. Hard work, dedication, and discipline are essential ingredients for turning our ambitions into reality.
Philippians 3:14
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
This verse encourages us to persevere and press on towards the goals that God has called us to. As believers, our ultimate ambition should be to receive the prize of eternal life in Christ.
When faced with challenges and obstacles along the way, we can find strength and endurance by keeping our focus on the ultimate prize. Our earthly ambitions should align with our heavenly calling, driving us to press on towards the goal with determination and faith.
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
This verse reminds us to approach our ambitions and work with wholehearted devotion, as if we are serving the Lord Himself. Our ambitions should not be driven by worldly recognition or approval, but by a desire to honor and glorify God.
When we view our ambitions as an opportunity to serve God, we give our best efforts and strive for excellence. By working diligently for His sake, we can find contentment and fulfillment in our pursuits, regardless of the outcomes.
Proverbs 13:4
“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”
This verse contrasts the outcomes of laziness and diligence. A lazy person, with no ambitions or drive, will never experience fulfillment or satisfaction. However, the diligent, those who pursue their ambitions with determination, will find their desires fully satisfied.
Ambitions require hard work and consistent effort. It is through diligence and perseverance that we can experience the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from accomplishing our goals.
Psalm 20:4
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
This verse reflects a heartfelt prayer for God to grant the desires of our heart and to bring success to our plans. As we surrender our ambitions to His will, we can trust that He will guide us towards the path that leads to success and fulfillment.
It is important to recognize that the desires of our hearts must be in alignment with God’s will and purpose for our lives. When our ambitions are rooted in Him, He will bless and prosper the plans that bring Him glory.
Proverbs 19:21
“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
This verse reminds us that though we may have many ambitions and plans, ultimately, it is God’s purpose that will prevail. Our own desires and aspirations must be surrendered to His greater plan and will for our lives.
When our ambitions align with God’s purpose, we can trust that He will guide and direct our paths. It is essential to seek His wisdom and submit our plans to Him, trusting that He knows what is best for us.
1 Corinthians 9:24
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
This verse encourages us to approach our ambitions with a mindset of perseverance and determination, like athletes running a race. We are called to run our race in a way that strives to obtain the prize.
To achieve our ambitions, we must be willing to put in the effort, face challenges, and stay focused on the goal. Like athletes who train diligently, we need to develop discipline and endurance to reach the desired outcome.
Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”
This verse encourages us to approach our ambitions and work with diligence and wholeheartedness. Our lives on earth are temporary, and we should make the most of the opportunities given to us.
Whether big or small, our ambitions should be pursued with all our might, knowing that our time on earth is limited. By giving our best effort, we can make a meaningful impact and leave a lasting legacy for the glory of God.
James 4:13-15
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”
This passage reminds us of the unpredictability of life and the importance of acknowledging God’s sovereignty in our ambitions and plans. It emphasizes the need to approach our ambitions with humility and a recognition that our lives are ultimately in God’s hands.
While it is good to have ambitions and make plans, we should do so with a submissive heart, acknowledging that our plans are subject to God’s will. Trusting in His guidance and surrendering our ambitions to Him allows us to navigate the uncertainties of life with peace and faith.
Psalm 90:17
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”
This verse is a prayer for God’s favor and guidance in our ambitions and the work of our hands. It recognizes the need for His divine intervention and establishment for our efforts to bear fruit.
When we invite God into our ambitions, seeking His favor and wisdom, we can trust that He will establish and bless the work of our hands. It is through His grace and power that our ambitions can become a testimony of His faithfulness.
Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
This verse assures us that God will guide and instruct us in the path we should take. When we seek His wisdom and direction, He promises to counsel us with His loving eye upon us.
In our pursuit of ambitions, it is important to lean on God’s guidance and rely on His instruction. By surrendering our plans to Him, we can confidently trust in His loving guidance, knowing that He will lead us towards the best and most fulfilling path.
Proverbs 16:9
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
This verse reminds us that though we may plan our own paths, it is ultimately God who directs and establishes our steps. Our ambitions should be aligned with His will, for He knows the perfect path for us.
While it is important to have dreams and goals, we must remain open to God’s leading and be willing to adapt our plans according to His divine guidance. Trusting in His sovereignty ensures that our ambitions are carried out in a way that aligns with His greater purposes.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
This verse reminds us of the power of our words and their impact on those around us. In our pursuit of ambitions, it is important to remember the value of kindness and encouragement.
By using gracious and uplifting words, we can positively influence others and create an atmosphere of support and unity. Our ambitions should not be pursued at the expense of others, but rather, they should be an opportunity to bring healing and encouragement to those who cross our paths.
Psalm 37:5
“Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.”
This verse encourages us to entrust our ambitions and plans to the Lord, placing our trust in Him. When we commit our ways to Him, He promises to bring forth righteous rewards and vindication.
By surrendering our ambitions to God, we release the need to control and manipulate outcomes. Instead, we rely on His faithfulness and trust that He will bring about His promises in His perfect timing and according to His divine plan.
Psalm 37:23-24
“The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.”
This passage assures us that when we delight in the Lord and seek His will, He will establish and guide our steps. Even in the face of obstacles and challenges, He will uphold and support us.
Our ambitions should be grounded in our devotion to God, and as we align ourselves with His desires, He will provide the strength and grace to overcome any stumbling blocks along the way. With His hand upholding us, we can pursue our ambitions with confidence and trust in His unfailing presence.
1 Timothy 4:15
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”
This verse encourages us to be diligent in our endeavors, wholly dedicating ourselves to the pursuit of our ambitions. By giving our best efforts and maintaining a spirit of perseverance, we can make visible progress.
When others witness our dedication and progress, it serves as a testament to the faithfulness and goodness of God. Our ambition should reflect a genuine desire to honor Him, inspiring others to pursue their own goals with diligence and excellence.
2 Timothy 2:15
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
This verse encourages us to be diligent in our pursuit of ambitions, aiming to present ourselves as approved before God. By striving to honor Him in all we do, we become workers who are not ashamed, rightly handling His word.
Our ambitions should align with God’s truth and be carried out with integrity and righteousness. By seeking His approval above all else, we can confidently pursue our ambitions, knowing that we are striving to please and glorify Him.
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
This verse encourages us to stand firm and be unwavering in our commitment to the work of the Lord. In our pursuit of ambitions, we should always give ourselves fully to Him, knowing that our efforts in the Lord are never in vain.
It is easy to be discouraged or overwhelmed by the challenges and setbacks we may face in our ambitions. However, when our focus remains on serving and honoring God, we can be assured that our labor will have eternal significance and impact.
Proverbs 12:24
“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of diligence and hard work in achieving our ambitions. Those who are diligent and committed to their tasks will be rewarded with authority and influence, while laziness leads to undesirable consequences.
In our pursuit of ambitions, it is crucial to cultivate a spirit of diligence and perseverance. By dedicating ourselves to our goals and giving our best efforts, we position ourselves for success and avoid the consequences of procrastination and laziness.