Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Bryce Crawford Podcast
Episode: "Can Christians Have Desires?" Ruslan KD Interview (EP 135)
Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Bryce Crawford
Guest: Ruslan KD

Overview

This episode features a candid and practical interview with Ruslan KD, discussing whether Christians can have desires and ambitions while honoring God. The conversation explores how to discern between godly and selfish ambitions, the role of desires in the Christian life, practical financial wisdom, identity, and how to find purpose post-salvation. The episode also serves as an introduction to Ruslan's new book, "Godly Ambition."

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ruslan’s Backstory: Redemption Through Hardship

[02:08–13:39]

• Ruslan's Armenian Christian roots: Armenia was one of the earliest Christian nations.
• Fleeing persecution: As a child, Ruslan’s family fled the pogroms in Baku, marked by severe violence against Armenians.
• Trauma and dysfunction: Parental divorce, abuse at church, and early criminal behavior deeply affected his worldview and led to rebellion.
• Turning point: Community service brought Ruslan into contact with authentic, loving Christians who modeled the gospel for him.
• Conversion: Years of wrestling with doubt, trauma, and suffering led to a gradual acceptance of Christ in his late teens.

"Jesus is who he says he is. Like, he is. He's not a liar. He's not a lunatic. He's not crazy. He's Lord."
— Ruslan [12:17]

2. Life after Salvation: The “Now What?” Problem

[13:43–23:00]

• Common misconception: Many young believers think following Jesus means giving up all ambitions or becoming a pastor/worship leader.
• The transition: After salvation, both hosts describe the uncertainty about how to use one's gifts and ambitions.
• The heart shift: Ruslan notes a key marker of being born again—beginning to hate old patterns of sin and desiring things previously avoided, like Scripture and church community.

"How you know you're Christian is do you hate the things that you used to love, your sin?... And do you love the things you used to hate?"
— Ruslan [21:00]

3. Defining Godly Ambition vs. Selfish Ambition

[24:30–27:48]

• Two kinds of ambition in Scripture: Selfish ambition ("edithaia") is condemned; godly ambition ("philiotimia") is encouraged.
• Godly ambition is:
  • Serving others with your gifts
  • Pursuing sanctification (holy living)
  • Responsible stewardship of resources and talents
  • Leading a life that wins respect outside the church

“My life is not my own, my platform is not my own, my money’s not my own ... I am called to steward and manage it unto the glory of God.”
— Ruslan [27:09]

4. Redeeming Desires and Passions

[28:51–38:25]

• Not all desires are from the flesh: God may redeem even pre-Christian talents and ambitions for His glory; the problem is the heart’s orientation.
• Jesus and the disciples’ desire for greatness (Luke 22):
  • Jesus doesn’t rebuke the disciples’ desire to be great but redefines true greatness as servanthood.
  • Not all “worldly” gifts are poisonous—many can be redirected for service if motivation is pure.

“He doesn’t rebuke or reject their desire to be great. He redefines greatness. He redirects their desire, and he redeems it.”
— Ruslan [33:42]

• True passion: Less about excitement, more about what you're willing to suffer for—the kind of "passion" shown by Christ.

5. Abundant Life and Stewardship: Beyond Prosperity and Poverty Gospels

[43:38–56:53]

• Abundant life: Foundationally, the fruit of the spirit—peace, joy, contentment—not money or status.
• Context matters: While caution about riches is biblical, so is providing for family and stewarding resources.
• Financial stewardship:
  • Work ethic, budgeting, and long-term planning are biblical.
  • Generosity is the antidote to greed.
  • Contentment, not just ambition, is essential.

“Money is a terrible master. Don’t let it master you. But money is a good servant.”
— Ruslan [54:25]

6. Practical Steps for Young Adults & Couples

[61:44–77:03]

• Before marriage: Consider financial realities—many women desire to stay home with kids, and the ability to provide brings peace and respect.
• Work to eat, sow to reap:
  • Work now for survival, but invest in skill-building for future harvests.
  • Deliberate, focused development (as little as 20 hours on a new skill) can radically change life trajectory.
• For couples in debt: There’s hope; with focused effort and a plan, most can be debt-free within 12–18 months.

7. Advice for High School and College Students

[77:10–83:16]

• Identity is top-down: You are who God says you are, not what you feel or what others say.
• God’s will is not a fork in the road, but a way of living: Ask not just what to do, but why and how.
• Gifts can be sanctified: Your calling may be rooted in interests and talents God gave you before salvation.
• Why and how matter more than what: Examine motivations and methods; pursue opportunities in line with scripture and community wisdom.

“God’s will is found in God’s ways and God’s ways are found in God’s word.”
— Ruslan [77:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On trauma and testimony:
  "Everything you just said there is encouraging ... there's kids out there currently in that position. Maybe they have parts of your story that is their story, maybe your story is their story right now. And they think that they're too far gone."
  — Bryce Crawford [13:55]

• On seasons of being hidden:
  "When you first come to the faith, you need a season of just go sit."
  — Ruslan [31:12]

• On practicality and stewardship:
  “The only thing that grows overnight is weeds and magic mushrooms. And I don’t think you want either of those.”
  — Ruslan [66:33]

• On how to build ambition and identity:
  “God’s will is found in God’s ways, and God’s ways are found in God’s word.”
  — Ruslan [77:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ruslan’s Testimony and Faith Journey: [02:08–13:41]
• Wrestling with Life After Salvation: [13:43–23:00]
• Defining Godly Ambition: [24:30–27:48]
• Redeeming Desire and Passion (Luke 22): [28:51–38:25]
• The Meaning of Abundant Life: [43:38–56:53]
• Financial Wisdom for Young Adults & Couples: [61:44–77:03]
• Advice for High School/College Students: [77:10–83:16]
• Closing, Book Plug, and Practical Advice: [84:02–end]

Takeaways for Listeners

• Your ambitions are not inherently sinful. God wants to redeem your gifts—ask why you pursue something and how you go about it.
• Abundant life is first about peace and joy in Jesus—not status or possessions.
• Stewardship is spiritual—work, budget, give, and continually invest in yourself and others.
• Contentment and generosity are key to a balanced Christian life, no matter your stage or status.

Further Resources

• Ruslan’s book: [Godly Ambition] (Available at major retailers and at mygodlyambition.com, including preorder bonuses)
• Bryce’s platforms: Links in show description

This episode is rich with encouragement, practical wisdom, and a call to live out faith with intentionality, stewardship, and redeemed ambition. Highly recommended for young Christians navigating purpose and calling in today’s world.