Misguided ambition refers to the pursuit of goals or desires that are not aligned with God's will or that prioritize worldly success over spiritual growth and obedience to God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the dangers and consequences of such ambition.

Biblical Examples:

1. Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9): The account of the Tower of Babel illustrates the folly of human ambition that seeks to elevate oneself to the level of God. The people of Babel aimed to build a tower that reached the heavens, saying, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves" (Genesis 11:4). Their ambition was rooted in pride and self-glorification, leading God to confuse their language and scatter them across the earth.

2. King Saul (1 Samuel 13:8-14): King Saul's ambition to maintain his kingship led him to disobey God's command. When Samuel delayed in arriving to offer sacrifices, Saul took it upon himself to perform the priestly duty, an act of impatience and presumption. Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you" (1 Samuel 13:13). Saul's misguided ambition ultimately cost him his kingdom.

3. James and John (Mark 10:35-45): The ambition of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, to sit at Jesus' right and left in His glory reveals a misunderstanding of true greatness in the kingdom of God. Jesus corrected them, teaching that greatness comes through servanthood: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all" (Mark 10:43-44).

Teachings on Ambition:

1. Humility and Servanthood: The Bible consistently teaches that true ambition should be rooted in humility and a desire to serve others. Philippians 2:3-4 instructs, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

2. Seeking God's Kingdom: Jesus emphasized the importance of prioritizing God's kingdom over worldly pursuits. In Matthew 6:33 , He said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This teaching underscores the need to align one's ambitions with God's purposes.

3. Warnings Against Worldly Ambition: The apostle Paul warns against the dangers of worldly ambition and the love of money, which can lead to spiritual ruin. In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 , he writes, "Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."

Consequences of Misguided Ambition:

Misguided ambition often leads to negative consequences, both spiritually and relationally. It can result in a loss of fellowship with God, as seen in the lives of Saul and the builders of Babel. It can also cause division and conflict within the community of believers, as demonstrated by the disciples' argument over who was the greatest (Luke 22:24-27).

Ultimately, the Bible calls believers to examine their motives and ambitions, ensuring they are in line with God's will and characterized by humility, service, and a focus on eternal values rather than temporal success.