Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Selfish Ambitions?

Here are 11 Bible verses about selfish ambitions, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #1Philippians 2:3-4

    Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

    BSBDo nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

  2. #2James 3:14-16

    But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

    BSBBut if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

  3. #3Galatians 5:19-21

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

    BSBThe acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

  4. #4James 4:15

    For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

    BSBInstead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

  5. #5Philippians 2:3

    Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

    BSBDo nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.

  6. #61 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

    BSBFor the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

  7. #7Galatians 5:14

    For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

    BSBThe entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

  8. #81 Peter 3:8-10

    Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

    BSBFinally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

  9. #91 Peter 5:8

    Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

    BSBBe sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

  10. #101 Corinthians 10:24

    Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.

    BSBNo one should seek his own good, but the good of others.

  11. #11James 3:16

    For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

    BSBFor where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

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