Real Zeal


Back in 2012, I spent a few weeks ministering in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During that time, I got to know a man who was one of the most passionate believers I’ve ever encountered. Surprisingly, this man insisted he wasn’t zealous enough. Many times when I talked to him on the phone, he asked me to pray that he would have more zeal. I thought he was more zealous for God than me!

The dictionary defines zeal as “great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.” Worldly people think it’s wrong to be zealous about the things of God (I’ve often been labeled a “religious fanatic” when taking a public stand against sinful activities). Yet many of these individuals have no problem acting fanatical at a sporting event. Keep in mind the word “fan” is short for fanatic.


Charles Spurgeon once said, “Be ye still men of might and vigour, men who serve their God with diligence and zeal.” Several verses in the Bible encourage zealousness. Here are a few of them:


“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day” 

- Proverbs 23:17


“who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” - Titus 2:14


“But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you.” 

- Galatians 4:18


“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” - Revelation 3:19


Zechariah 1:14 and 8:2 says the Lord is zealous about His people and their land. When Jesus chased the moneychangers out of the temple in John 2:17, His disciples remembered Psalm 69:9, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” Luke 6:15 and Acts 1:13 refers to one of the apostles named Simon as “the Zealot.”


Being zealous doesn’t mean being rude to people. We must always speak the truth with love and compassion. I’ve seen eager believers witnessing in a way that pushes people away. A soul winner must learn to discern when to step back from someone who isn’t receptive to the gospel.


Overzealousness can lead to problems when sharing the gospel in certain situations. Two weeks ago, an evangelist named Whitney Lynn was removed from an Alaskan Airlines flight for filming herself preaching to the other passengers. I admire anyone who is bold enough to do open-air preaching. Still, one must use wisdom considering the heightened security measures since 9/11. Proverbs 19:2 (NLT) says, “Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.” The last I heard, Whitney has been banned from flying on Alaska Airlines and its affiliated carriers. When people ask about my well-being, I usually tell them I’m “saved and going to heaven.” However, I’ve avoided saying that when going through airport security because I don’t want TSA agents to suspect that I’m on a suicide mission.


Once while doing street evangelism in a Minneapolis suburb, three boys were riding their bicycles towards where I was standing. Believing this was a divine appointment, I offered them tracts and soon found out all three boys weren’t sure of their eternal destiny. As they prayed to get born again, I perceived I needed to shorten my time talking with them. Instead, I ministered to them more until a woman interrupted our conversation. She was upset because I hadn’t met the boys before. That served as a reminder that we should exercise caution when witnessing to children, and seek parental permission whenever possible.


Romans 10:2 mentions that the Jews “have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”  The next verse explains why: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” One should be zealous not to build their own kingdom but God’s.


“Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.” - 1 Corinthians 14:12 

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