Self-Growth for Christians: Should You Have Ambitions?

Self-growth is a process where individuals are encouraged to identify their strengths and weaknesses including in their day-to-day habits and attitudes for purposes of self-improvement to reach certain goals or to realize certain dreams. The underlying premise is that there is always room to become a better version of your current self.

While there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve yourself, there is a type of pressure that comes with knowing that even at your best version the world still thinks you can do better, have better, do more, or have more. Because it prioritizes the self, the pursuit of self-growth can easily turn people into self-centered, egotistical, and individualistic beings whose sole purpose is to get to the top.

In a world that places increased emphasis on the self, it is easy for a Christian to be caught in a moral dilemma of how to pursue personal goals and achievements while also living the selfless and altruistic life that the Bible encourages.

You may find yourself wondering where one must draw the line between following the gospel and improving oneself for purposes of fitting in with the demands of the modern world. As a Christian, it is of vital importance to know that there is no situation that the Bible does not guide on.

The topic of self-growth for Christians is, therefore, best understood if discussed within the confines of Romans 12:2 (NIV) which says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

What this means for a Christian is, in your pursuit of self-growth, do not blindly follow the world’s view of wanting more, wanting better, or wanting bigger. Your starting point should always be questioning if whatever it is you are seeking, chasing, or pursuing is according to God’s will for your life and whether the result will be pleasing before God’s eyes.

Christians should aim to live a life that is Christlike which means developing a habit of asking “what would Jesus do in this situation” as you go through your day and as you make daily decisions. What then does such a process look like in the context of self-growth?

Should Christians have ambitions and goals?

Self-growth encourages among other things being ambitious and setting personal goals regarding, for example, your career, finances, weight, and many other different things. A look at the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 shows and teaches us that the Bible encourages drive and hard work.

The lesson from the parable of the talents is that God will ultimately reward those who work hard to use their talents for His glory. Many other Bible verses strongly speak against laziness which clearly shows that it is not wrong for a Christian to have ambition, or to set personal goals and work hard to achieve them. Let us look at the following examples:

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of hands to rest-and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” – Proverbs 24:33-34, NIV

The lesson here is that there is no reward in your comfort zone, step out and work for the things that you desire and wish for. Your ambitions and goals will not be satisfied as long as you are lazy and refuse to work for them.

“For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:10, NIV

Like the example above, the lesson here is simply that if you are able, you must work for the things that you need. Laziness is not Christlike, and Christians should have a strong work ethic and should not be afraid of hard work.

“The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.” – 2 Timothy 2:6, NIV

There is a famous saying that “a farmer’s work is never done” and what this means is it is not just physical work that goes into farming but also a lot of planning and general preparedness that goes into farming.

It is therefore only fair that a person who puts that much time, effort, and resources be rewarded accordingly. Likewise in pursuit of your goals and dreams as a Christian, you must plan and put in the hard work always and you will be rewarded accordingly.

Christlike Self-growth

We have been discussing ambition and goals and so far, there is no apparent distinction between the “worldly” definition of self-growth and that which is Christlike. You may at this point be wondering how then the world version then differs from Christlike self-growth. As a Christian, it is important to ask yourself why you are setting for yourself certain goals, aspirations, and ambitions.

Often people are driven by competition, envy, and the selfish desire to be considered the best and none of those drivers are Christlike. As a result, some people will disregard the morality of their actions, any ethical considerations, or whose rights they violate on their way to the top because their eyes are focused solely on the result.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” – Philippians 2:3-4, NIV

Looking at this verse in the context of self-growth, there are valuable lessons for Christians including that:

• You must set goals and ambitions that are Godly. Do not follow a certain path justbecause everyone else is taking it, pray about it and ask God to direct your footsteps and guide you on a righteous path to achieving your dreams.
• Do not be driven by your ego, or the desire to be seen by the world as the best. Always ask yourself why you want to achieve certain goals. Is it merely to look good in the eyes of others, to be regarded as the best? If those are your only drivers, then you might need to stop, rethink, repent, and ask God for guidance. A Christlike person is humble just as Christ himself was and does not seek glory in the eyes of men. Always remember that Jesus Christ was the epitome of servanthood and let that keep you grounded.
• As we discussed above, Christians may have dreams and ambitions but in your pursuit of those, always be mindful of others around you and how your actions may violate them in the process. If achieving your dreams and goals means hurting and violating others please stop, repent, and ask God to be the light on your path. No one should ever take pride in a result that came at the cost of pain, hurt, blood, and tears of other people

Another great lesson for Christians about a Christlike self-growth can be found in Ecclesiastes 1-2 in which Solomon the wisest and wealthiest person of his time conceded that there is no satisfaction in pursuing only worldly pursuits like riches, knowledge, and pleasure. Only through putting God at the center of your life and purpose and acknowledging that your life here on earth is just but for a season, shall you find your true value as a Christian.

We can help you

The world we are living in is becoming increasingly demanding and confusing for most Christians. If you are still confused about how you can achieve self-growth in a Christlike manner, we have trained Christian therapists who can help you understand the subject better and get you the help you might need.