Spiritual ambition, the desire to be preeminent among the servants of the Lord, is close to the spirit of Satan.

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: (Isaiah 14:13)

"I will exalt my throne above the stars of God."

Even the Lord's disciples argued among themselves, each seeking to be greater than the others.

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. (Mark 9:34)

The history of the Judaic-Christian revelation has included numerous Korahs and Absaloms—those who would supplant the leaders God has chosen.

The Lord Jesus was murdered because of the envy of spiritually ambitious leaders.

For he knew that for envy they had delivered him. (Matthew 27:18)

Throughout the Christian Era ambitious spiritual people have tortured and murdered other believers who appeared, for one reason or another, to be preventing their rise to ever higher levels of power and prestige.

If a person desires power he can never be satisfied. The boss wants to be over other bosses. The governor of a city longs to be president of his country. The president of a country hopes to be the president of the world. The president of the world will compel people to worship him as God. Why is this? It is because Satan is behind all desire for power over other people.

Is there a greater evil than personal ambition—the spirit that murdered the Lord Jesus?

The choices God makes are beyond our comprehension. God sets up one individual and puts down another. He is the Potter and we are the clay.

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. (Psalms 75:6,7)

God chose Moses and Aaron. Korah and the other rebellious leaders became bitter, envious, blind, and stupid because of their desire to supplant Moses and Aaron. The same was true of Absalom when he sought to supplant his father, King David.

Why couldn't Korah and the others understand that Moses was the friend of God and that God would never accept their rebellion? Why couldn't Absalom understand that God would never be with him as God was with David? How could Absalom govern Israel without God? They had become blind and stupid.

The authority to rule with the power of eternal life rests only with those whom God has chosen. There are many imitators, many supplanters in the realm of Christian leadership. How different Church history would be if there had been no Korahs or Absaloms! They are still active today as any experienced pastor will tell you.

The true Christian, the disciple of the Lord Jesus, thinks, speaks, and acts in an increasingly righteous and holy manner.

The true Christian, the disciple of the Lord Jesus, learns to depend on the Lord Jesus for every aspect and detail of life. No action, word, or thought escapes the prayer to gain the Lord's help in the matter.

The true Christian, the disciple of the Lord Jesus, does not neglect his salvation. He always is busy serving the Lord with a pure heart.

The true Christian, the disciple of the Lord Jesus, does not envy and supplant because of the lust to be preeminent. He rejoices when he is abased and he rejoices when he abounds. He is the servant of all.

To be continued.