“THE PROBLEM WITH SELFISH AMBITION!”
(Genesis 10:1-32; 1 CHRONICLES 1: 5-27; GENESIS 11:1-9)
Human ambition is a powerful force that drives people to outstanding achievements and transformative innovations. However, when ambition detaches from God’s purposes, it can lead to destructive pride and chaos. The story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 provides a clear example of the dangers of unchecked human ambition.
The people of Babel said to one another, “Come, let us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves” (Genesis 11:4). They desired to make a lasting mark and prove their greatness. On the surface, this ambition might seem admirable. After all, humanity is created in God’s image with the capacity to create, innovate, and achieve. However, the motivation behind the tower was self-glorification, not God-glorification. Their goal was to “make a name for themselves”—an act of defiance against God’s design for their lives.
The problem was not the act of building itself but the heart behind it. God commanded humanity to fill the earth (Genesis 9:1), but the people sought to remain centralized, build their legacy, and assert their independence from God. They wanted unity and success on their terms, relying on their strength rather than following God’s direction.
God saw what the people were doing and intervened, saying, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:6). In His wisdom, God confused their language, causing them to scatter across the earth. This act wasn’t about stifling human potential; instead, it was a merciful intervention to prevent their prideful ambition from leading to further rebellion and harm.
When human ambition is unchecked by God’s guidance, it often results in confusion, division, and destruction. The scattering of the people at Babel is a powerful reminder that when we seek to build our lives, careers, or legacies apart from God, we ultimately create disorder in our hearts and the world around us.
Ambition is not wrong but must be aligned with God’s purposes. Jesus teaches us a different kind of ambition in Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Our greatest goal should be to honor God in everything we do. When centered on God, ambition leads to a life of purpose, peace, and fulfillment.
In Philippians 2:3, Paul also reminds us to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” Humility is the key to keeping our ambitions in check. It acknowledges that all we have and are comes from God and that we need Him to guide us in using our gifts and abilities for His glory.
The story of the Tower of Babel teaches us that the problem with human ambition lies in the heart’s motives. When our ambition is fueled by pride and the desire for self-glorification, it leads to confusion, division, and, ultimately, failure. However, when we submit our ambition to God, seeking His kingdom and aligning our desires with His will, we find He blesses our efforts and leads us to true success—success that glorifies Him and blesses others.
My prayer is that we be ambitious for God’s kingdom, not our own. Let us seek to build not towers to our glory but lives that reflect God’s love, mercy, and grace to a world in need.
Reflection and Application:
- Why is humility the antidote to prideful ambition that seeks self-recognition?
- How can we ensure our heart ambitions align with God’s kingdom?
- What are you building? How does it acknowledge God and bring glory to him?
Prayer:
Father, Thank You for the gifts and talents You’ve placed within us. Help us to keep our hearts humble and our ambitions aligned with Your will. Forgive us when we seek our own glory and forget that all we have comes from You. Guide us to pursue Your kingdom above all else so that everything we do will bring honor to Your name. May our lives reflect Your love, grace, and truth, and may we build not for ourselves but for Your eternal purposes. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
About our Author
Pastor James M. Armpriester, Jr. worked as a molecular biologist at Procter & Gamble for ten years before becoming a pastor. With over thirty years of experience in ministry, he has been heavily involved in church planting and church health. He has served as a district director in Ohio and North Texas and has been a national leader in curriculum development, coaching, and consulting for church planting and revitalization. Pastor Jim has been the lead pastor of several churches, including New Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio, First Assembly of God in Niagara Falls, NY, and Transformation Life Church, which has multiple campuses in New Jersey.
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