What Is At The Heart Of Your Ambitions?

Lord, how can I know if my ambitions are healthy or unhealthy?

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy. A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.

Galatians 5:19-21; Luke 6:44-45

Is it possible to be an ambitious believer?

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven. Whatever you do, do it all for my glory. Focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which I, through Christ Jesus, am calling you.

Colossians 3:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Philippians 3:13-14

What can I pray to remind me to use my ambitions for your glory?

Let love be my highest goal! But may I also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

1 Corinthians 14:1; Psalm 108:5; Psalm 143:8, 10

Reflect on one area of ambition in your life and prayerfully ask yourself these questions: What fuels my ambition? Is it for my own recognition or for God to be recognized through me? Do I want others to admire me or to admire God? Do I seek to fulfill my desires or seek God’s desires for me? Whose glory am I really seeking? If your ambition is misaligned, confess this to God, receive his gracious forgiveness, and ask him to align your desires with his.