Word Information
Word: Eritheian (Gk)
English: Selfish ambition
ἐριθείαν (eritheian)
Source: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon of the New Testament
Author: Joseph H. Thayer
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Philippians 2:3
Thayer’s Definition:
“a courting distinction, a desire to put oneself forward, a partisan and factious spirit which does not disdain low arts; partisanship, factiousness”
Selfish ambition is the desire to be ‘number one’ at all costs. This hinders people from inheriting God’s Kingdom and becoming truly important (Galatians 5:19-21).
Romans 2:5-8
But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness- indignation and wrath…
Where there’s selfish ambition, or self-seeking, there’s disobedience to God, and the ultimate result is destruction.
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24) — you can’t seek your interests and serve the Lord.
Luke 9:23-25
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?”
James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Sizzling Sunday: 17th September 2023
Sizzling Sunday 055
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