Philippians 1:17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

The ESV uses the term selfish ambition four times in scripture. These four verses paint a picture of what selfish ambition looks like in a church.

It attacks leadership, humiliates others, is arrogant, and is disruptive. Breaking down selfish ambition to its component parts allows us to see that God is not allowed to work through those who act in that manner.

At one time in my Christian walk a wise elder once told me “Let go and let God.” I instinctively understood what he meant but the how escaped me. Over time I realized my selfish ambition was my own stumbling block in walking in God’s will.

That is a sad confession but true. I wanted attention. I didn’t care what others thought. I felt superior in the way I operated. I was not gracious. I was immature and what I was in the world, I brought to church. I had been a rebellious teenager.

Worldly attitudes may cause you to survive in the world but in the body of Christ those need to be killed. I had to let go and let God.

In order to walk in God’s will, we must let go of every aspect of selfish ambition. In order to do that we must examine our behavior and confess which aspect of selfish ambition exists in us.