Self Esteem, Self-Reliance, and Ambition

Next: Obedience

The Watchtower magazine, December 15, 1968, page 755

It is a time for us to keep our full powers and faculties awake, active in God’s service, a time for us to make supplication, because we cannot do this in our own strength. Without God’s help we cannot succeed. Only in this way shall we escape sharing in the anguish, fear and dreaded expectation of the worldly nations and being ensnared in destruction with them at Armageddon.

The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 1976, page 118

Between now and the end of this system, it will not be possible to wage a winning war against the Devil in our own strength. We need help from God.

The Watchtower magazine, December 15, 1976, page 742

Ambition is, therefore, wholly unscriptural. Its roots are sunk deeply in human sinfulness and the arrogant spirit of this world.

The Watchtower magazine, May 1, 1978, page 21

GROWTH AND PROSPERITY COME FROM GOD

This is a very serious matter. If a Christian does not do this, he may begin relying too much on himself, thinking, perhaps not even consciously, of his own importance or ability. If his plans appear to succeed, he may take the credit to himself, only to find out later that his “success” was only temporary or superficial. Such success does not bring glory to God and does not truly help others.

Choosing the Best Way of Life (1979), page 103

It is good to keep in mind that we cannot succeed in our own strength but need the encouragement of our devoted brothers and the help of God’s spirit.

The Watchtower magazine, August 1, 1980, page 8

In view of the superhuman strength and cunning of our enemies, we really have no hope of surviving their attacks in our own strength. However, as God’s servants, we can rely on the strength that Jehovah supplies.

The Watchtower magazine, October 15, 1984, page 15

However, we cannot stand firm against Satan in our own strength, for he has greater powers, wider knowledge and far more experience than we have. To be able to stand firm against him, therefore, we need to take full advantage of all the aids that Jehovah God has provided for his people.

The Watchtower magazine, November 1, 1985, page 7

The foregoing facts should help us appreciate a basic truth: In order to have a successful and delightful way of life, man must depend on God for guidance.

The Awake! magazine, June 8, 1986, page 26

These are ordinary people with normal desires who simply have set aside their personal preferences to keep themselves free to do more in Jehovah’s service. As Gun puts it: “I trust fully that Jehovah uses his organization to direct his matters. Should I put a limit on his directions in my life? When we dedicated our lives to his service, we handed over such decisions to be made by him and not by ourselves anymore.”

Kingdom Ministry, January 1987, page 3

In our times tremendous pressures are brought to bear on everyone. From every direction problems confront us. It certainly takes courage to keep going and it is not in our own strength that we can do this. (2 Cor. 4:7) As experience has shown, it is folly to trust in human wisdom respecting essential matters of life.

The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 1996, page 10

Just as an eagle cannot soar to such heights using its own strength, we cannot cope if we rely on our own abilities.

The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 1997, page 8

If we were on our own looking for the purpose of our life, we might have little or no success, as has been true of most men and women, even those with vast learning and experience.

The Watchtower magazine, March 1, 2003, page 14

In these “critical times hard to deal with,” we, like the Israelites, face foes that are stronger than we are. (2 Timothy 3:1) We are pressured morally, spiritually and, in some cases, even physically. On our own, we are unable to withstand those pressures, since they originate with a superhuman source, Satan the Devil.

The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 2004, page 10

Those “wicked spirit forces” are Satan and the demons, who desire to destroy our relationship with Jehovah God. Since they are much stronger than we are, we find ourselves in a situation similar to that of David, and we cannot succeed unless we depend on God for strength.

The Watchtower magazine, February 1, 2005, page 31

For instance, has your zeal for Christian activities diminished lately? If so, why? One reason might be that you are relying too much on yourself. How can you tell whether this is so? Read Haggai 1:2-11, and honestly reflect on Jehovah’s line of reasoning with the repatriated Jews. Then ask yourself: ‘Am I overly concerned with financial security and material comforts? Do I really trust Jehovah to care for my family if I give spiritual things priority? Or do I feel that I have to take care of myself first?

Awake! June 8, 2005, page 13

For true Christians the subject of ambition does not present an ethical dilemma. Their Bible-trained consciences help them to shun ambition.

The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 2006, page 13

Andreas, a Christian elder who has served in several European lands, also knows from personal experience that we can put our trust in Jehovah. He said: “My older brother, who does not share my faith, strongly influenced me during my youth, encouraging me to pursue a financially rewarding career. He was extremely disappointed when I took up the ministry full-time and did not rely on the so-called security provided by secular pension plans. During my full-time service, I have never been in need, and I have experienced blessings of which others can only dream.”

The Watchtower magazine, March 15, 2007, page 28

We cannot resist Satan and his wicked angels in our own strength, whether physical or mental.

The Watchtower magazine, January 15, 2008, page 32

True to Jesus’ words, Satan relentlessly attacked Jesus’ disciples back then, and he attacks us today…

How can we stand against this powerful enemy? We cannot do so in our own strength. Satan is stronger than we are; however, we know that Jehovah is immeasurably stronger than Satan is.

The Watchtower magazine, March 15, 2008, page 13

We can certainly be assured that Jehovah is willing and able to assist us when we are afflicted with distresses…

This means that we figuratively hand over to Jehovah the responsibility for all our cares and concerns. We try to stop worrying and patiently trust in him to care for our needs. (Matt. 6:25-32) Such trust requires humility, not relying on our own strength or wisdom. By humbling ourselves “under the mighty hand of God,” we acknowledge our lowly position.

The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 2008, page 22

We have good reason to uproot any trace of ambition we might see in ourselves…

Yes, make it your aim to resist the world’s spirit of independence and to accept Jehovah’s authority…Strive in all aspects of life to show that you reject an independent spirit and that you accept Jehovah’s authority.

The Watchtower magazine, April 15, 2011, page 16

There is no shame in admitting that we need God’s wisdom to help us make decisions. (Prov. 3:5, 6) After all, relying purely on our own understanding can easily misguide us.

The Watchtower magazine, February 15, 2012, page 6

If we rely on our own thinking, especially when we face serious problems, we are likely to endanger ourselves and those we love.

For example, a family head may face severe pressure in providing materially for “those who are his own.” (1 Tim. 5:8) He might be tempted to take a job that repeatedly causes him to miss out on attending Christian meetings, taking the lead in family worship, or participating in the ministry.

If he relies solely on human thinking, such a course could seem justifiable, even upright. However, it may well result in spiritual sickness or death.

The Watchtower magazine, June 15, 2012, page 6

We thank Jehovah every day for his help, as we recognize that we cannot accomplish anything in our own strength.

The Watchtower magazine, August 15, 2012, pages 17 and 23

Stephen Lett, another member of the Governing Body, next discussed 1 Peter 5:8: “Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.” Brother Lett stated that several characteristics of lions make Peter’s illustration an apt description of the Devil.

Since lions are stronger and faster than humans, we should not try to fight or outrun Satan in our own strength. We need Jehovah’s help. (Isa. 40:31) A lion hunts stealthily, so we must avoid the spiritual darkness in which Satan seeks his prey. Just as a lion kills a harmless antelope or a sleeping baby zebra, so Satan is merciless and would love to kill us. And after a lion has satisfied its hunger, the victims are often unrecognizable, just as “the final conditions” of Satan’s spiritual victims “become worse for them than the first.”…

Of course, we must never overestimate our own strength. Instead, we should humbly recognize that we need God’s power in order to resist pressure.

“Sing Out Joyfully” to Jehovah, Song 87

We live in a world that is wayward and lost;

The way of our God is not known.

We need sure direction to safeguard our steps;

We cannot succeed on our own.

Our meetings refresh us and brighten our hope;

They help us build faith in our God.

They move us with words that incite to fine deeds,

They give us the strength to go on.

Next: Obedience