GOODNESS - Champions by the Fruit of the SpiritSample

Goodness vs Selfish Ambition

Bible story: Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9

Theme Verse: Philippians 2:3

This week, our lesson is a fight with goodness against selfish ambition. One definition for ambition is "an earnest desire for some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, wealth, and the willingness to strive for its attainment." We would like to think that ambition is a good thing, but we must be very careful with it.

Today's Bible story is the tower of Babel. This is a real story where God decided to confuse the people of the world because they had too much ambition. They wanted fame and to make a name for themselves. The Bible says that before this time, we all spoke one language and lived on one side of the planet. But when God saw their selfish ambition as they built a city and a huge tower, he confused all their languages and scattered them all over the earth.

What stands out is that God himself stood against the people. This was not an attack from the devil or from evil people. Instead, God himself was against them. But why? One Bible version says, "They wanted to make themselves famous." Another says, "They wanted to make a name for themselves."

There is a wonderful worship song by Chris Tomlin, "Whom Shall I Fear." The song talks of angel armies that are on our side. It is exciting to think that no one will be able to come against us when God is on our side. But this story of the tower of Babel shows one instance when God will NOT be on our side. When we are trying to achieve power, honor, fame, and wealth for ourselves, God is not on our side. In fact, He may go completely against us, as He did long ago in this account from the Bible. Part of goodness, therefore, is to stay humble and watch out for our own selfish ambition. This is important because you really do not want to have God himself against you!

Questions:

1. Name some examples of Christian fame. Do you think that sometimes people want to make a name for themselves?

2. How easy would life be if God himself were against you?

3. What are ways that we can humble ourselves so that God does not have to?

Life Application:

Do nothing this week to increase your fame or popularity. Each time an opportunity arises, turn it down. As you do this, you will be punching down this very sneaky sin.