3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
To be sure, being overly preoccupied with oneself is sin. Paul continues his discourse on unity among believers in our verses for today and hits hard on selfish ambition and vain conceit both being major drawbacks to harmony among our brothers and sisters in Christ. Nothing, states Paul, is to be done out of selfish ambition. The Greek wording used here indicates an inordinate eagerness to seek gain, a vying for power or prestige. It represents a mercenary motive of self-interest and refers to self-seeking aspirations and interests which are purely self-serving. Ever had the misfortune of being around one with such ambition? Not a pretty sight to be sure! Indeed, it is quite repugnant and pitiful. In their wanting desperate need to have their cups filled they go about looking in all the wrong places – the forced (or even non-forced) accolades of man which they are seeking will never truly satisfy and they always end up craving even more and more. Yet when the believer’s cups are filled with the Living Water they, as King David’s, overflow. Jesus alone satisfies completely.
3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Gal 6:3 (NIV)
“If I really love God, my innate and persistent selfishness will have received its death blow.” Alexander Smellie
“Those who know God will be humble. Those who know themselves cannot be proud.” John Trapp
Certainly, this self-aggrandizing attitude - which shows itself as seeking to get ahead at another’s expense - is of the flesh and not of the Spirit. Indeed, Paul writes that it is a part of the sinful nature in Galatians:
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 (NIV)
James also tells us a truly wise person seeks not selfish glory or gain rather is gracious and giving. Wisdom from above is described by him as pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. In contrast, selfish ambition produces disorder and every sort evil practice - Satan’s handiwork to be sure:
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:16-18 (NIV)
“The enemy of your soul only has two battle plans. 1. Blind you to who God is. 2. And blind you to who you are.” Ann Voskamp
“The most difficult person to deal with is the one who has the prideful self-satisfaction of a past experience, but is not working that experience out in his everyday life. If you say you are sanctified, show it. The experience must be so genuine that it shows in your life. Beware of any belief that makes you self-indulgent or self-gratifying; that belief came from the pit of hell itself, regardless of how beautiful it may sound.” Oswald Chambers
Paul calls all believers to a higher standard in Romans stating out of honor and sincerity we are to give place to one another considering others above ourselves:
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)
Jesus, our Supreme example, states in the Gospels - over and over again - we are not to dwell on self rather follow His perfect example Who poured out His life for us:
23 Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:23-26 (NIV)
“If the Word does not dwell with power in us, it will not pass with power from us.” John Owen