In his book Self-Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson believed in ambition and called for bold thinking. He suggested that we not wait for things to happen but make things happen. Emerson said to trust yourself, work to better yourself, and live from the inside out, not waiting on external values to guide you.
“At its heart, Emerson’s self-reliance is a call to be ambitious—not in the sense of chasing status, but in daring to live a life of one’s own making. He urged readers to trust their intuition, reject passive conformity, and take full responsibility for their own paths. Emerson believed in challenging inherited beliefs and traditions, arguing that consistency for its own sake was a trap. He encouraged flexibility, growth, and adaptability—values that are only possible when ambition is present to power them. Ambition, rightly understood, is what drives these behaviors. It is the willingness to move forward, even when the destination is not guaranteed.” (DeGraff, 2025)
Ambition is the catalyst that makes things move forward. If no one cared, very little would ever be accomplished. Ambition is a very desirable trait if used correctly and wisely. Ambition is not arrogance. We should never mistake greed, cutthroat competition, or plain blind ambition as being desirable. Ambition out of control always ends badly. Ambition is the desire to be better tomorrow than you were today. This self-driving force is fragile, but it can be very strong if managed. This does not necessarily involve finances or gaining wealth. It can be obtained through moral status, education, and many other characteristics. We can continuously improve ourselves in many ways, but we must make the effort.
What happens when ambition gets out of control and is allowed to run unchecked? Jim and Tammy Baker did not start out intending to bankrupt the Heritage Church. In the beginning, Robert and Arvella Schuller did not see the end of the Crystal Cathedral collapse. When we allow greed, ego, and pride to enter the equation, there is only a short time before everything falls apart. The problem of unbridled ambition started before time began. Lucifer had it made, living with God in Heaven, but his pride, ego, and ambition caused him to attempt to elevate himself above God. Lucifer made the mistake of telling everyone in heaven that he would ascend to the heavens and raise his throne above the stars of God. This stupid ambition led to his immediate expulsion from heaven and sent him to Hell. Lucifer’s ambition had severe consequences.
In Genesis 11, we read about the wild ambition of the people of Babel. The collective uncontrolled ambition convinced the citizens of Babel that they could outdo God. The people of Babel allowed their pride and self-glorification to get away with them. There are always consequences when we try to be bigger than God. God scattered the people of Babel worldwide and made them speak many languages.
In Numbers 16, we read the story of another person who allowed his ambition to be his ruin. Korah was the son of Izhar and part of the Israelites following Moses and Aaron. Korah’s pride and arrogance made him think he could do a better job running things than Moses, so he organized a rebellion against Moses and God. God had already warned the Israelites about pride, rebellion, and the divine judgment involved. As a result of Korah’s actions, the earth opened up under the rebels’ feet and swallowed them. This should be a warning that defying God’s will and his chosen leader will not end well. Many folks in the Old Testament challenge the envelope concerning ambition. Eli, Samson, and Saul, to name just a few.
In the New Testament, the problems of ego, pride, power, and the need to control were evident in the Disciples. James and John wanted to be next in command under Jesus. Both wanted to sit on the right side of Jesus while He was teaching. In Mark 10:43, Jesus reminds the Disciples that true greatness comes from serving others. Jesus told them, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” A good example of ambition and desire for power was Simon the Sorcerer. In Acts 8:9-24, Simon actually tried to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. He became angry when told that he was not allowed or able to purchase such power. Peter was not very polite when he suggested, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money.
“The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of ambition and power struggles, emphasizing humility, service, and reliance on God’s sovereignty. Proverbs 16:18 states, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”, underscoring the peril of prideful ambition. The pursuit of power often leads to conflict, division, and divine judgment, as seen in the narratives of both the Old and New Testaments. The Scriptures advocate for a life of humility and service, as exemplified by Jesus Christ, who “made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). Believers are called to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness above personal ambition, trusting in His provision and timing.” (Staff, n.d.)
Ambition is a great trait, motivating one to accomplish great things. We should remember Matthew 23, which states, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Then Luke 9:25 states, “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
DeGraff, J. (2025, 4 21). The Case for Ambition. Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/innovation-you/202504/the-case-for-ambition?msockid=34140fe7aa246d0c149d1a3aab726c74
Staff. (n.d.). The Consequences of Ambition and Power Struggles. Retrieved from Bible Hub: https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_consequences_of_ambition_and_pride.htm#rel