Blind spots in our lives prevent us from overcoming selfish ambitions. We don’t always realize desires we have are often selfish. This is why they are called blind spots. The disciples also struggled with selfish desires when James and John wanted seats next to Jesus when He came into His Kingdom.
The Disciples Struggled with Selfish Desires
Somehow, we think the disciples did not have struggles or temptations. We believe they were Bible people and didn’t have our problems. But that is not true. Just as selfish desires tempt us, they, too, struggled with this.
Jesus, in His mercy, brought this to their attention and helped them walk through it. Mark 10:35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” 36 “What is your request?” he asked.
37 They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”
39 “Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!” Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. 40 But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” [1]
Keep Looking to Jesus
God included this story of the disciples’ ambition to teach us a lesson. Too often, we are like the disciples as we fall into the traps of the enemy. We need to focus on Jesus to free ourselves from selfish ambition. If we allow our focus to remain on ourselves, we want to be better than others.
God warns of the danger of selfishness. James 3: 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.[2]
Jesus gives us the example of a servant leader. We must leave selfishness behind as we follow Jesus. As we grow in faith, we realize that God has designed us to be satisfied with Jesus’ glory and not our own. Jesus loves and serves. As we do the same, He fills us with joy and love.
Overcoming selfish ambitions is part of growing in faith. To hear more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/mark-i-once-was-blind
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Mk 10:35–40). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jas 3:15). Tyndale House Publishers.