For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Earnest devotion to God is not enough by itself, for sincerity and intensity do not prove that a course is right or heaven-led. Knowledge that makes zeal right is sound judgment, wisdom and Bible principle, with the heart controlled by the Holy Spirit so that religion remains temperate and balanced. Zeal without that guidance turns fanatical, hurried and extreme, pressing small things, acting forcefully in the wrong direction, and joining itself to pride, prejudice and self-sufficiency. In that state it becomes harsh, overbearing and unloving, wounding others, judging without mercy, scattering rather than gathering, and harming the peace of the church. Zeal that is according to knowledge is steady, humble and earnest to save souls and glorify God, putting away criticism, treating others with grace and courtesy, setting the heart right first and restoring the erring in love.
Meaning of the Words
Zeal for God is not enough without knowledge, and earnestness alone does not prove that a course pleases God or is led by God. Zeal and impulse are good when controlled by the Holy Spirit and guided by sanctified principles, but without that guidance they turn self-centered, seeking personal glory and display of ability instead of service to others. Earnest opposition to truth can be ignorant and spiritually unproductive, and an earnest position can stand contrary to the very principles of faith. Enthusiasm that is accompanied by pride and self-sufficiency rather than humble seeking of the Lord does not come from God's Spirit. Zeal without sound understanding does harsh, unloving work that confuses and scatters people instead of gathering them to Christ, whereas zeal that endures is grounded in truth and directed by truth rather than led by deceptive teachings.
Knowledge in the verse means sound reason, sound judgment, wisdom, truth, and sound Bible principle, with temperance in religion itself being zeal according to knowledge while fanaticism is to be left alone. When worked and guided by the Holy Spirit, zeal according to knowledge does not lead others into false paths but reflects the light given, puts away criticism, and lives in humility and unity. Such zeal is controlled by the Holy Spirit and guided by sanctified principles, grounded in truth and directed by it.
Zeal not according to knowledge is fanatical, hurried, and exacting, carrying matters to extremes, putting great faith in small things that do not deserve it, and acting energetically in things that prove to be all wrong. It cannot be relied upon and cannot be safely followed in the church, because it is not according to knowledge or good sound reason. It forgets one's own weakness and failings and how much patience was needed toward oneself, while watching for failings in those who hold back and are slow to move. It measures all with an iron rule and makes visions an iron rule to bring others up to and measure them by, letting feelings take the lead and letting strong feelings govern until souls are pushed off. In place of this, the judicious, reasonable course is patient, forbearing dealing that brings souls along, bearing with one another while remembering one's own failings, making allowance for different temperaments and minds, recognizing that all cannot bear the same rigid discipline or be brought to another's ideas of duty, and dealing as the kind and compassionate Saviour deals who bears long instead of rigidly marking words and acts and cutting off.
There is a great blind zeal that God does not impart, joined to a lofty, self-sufficient spirit. It is marked by prejudice, self-esteem and pride of heart, and by thinking one knows it all and can learn nothing, lacking harmony with the Spirit of God. This is the very spirit shown in investigating the Scriptures in the days of Christ, having ears but hearing not and eyes but seeing not. Such a course grieves the Spirit of God, lets Satan triumph, and wounds the soul. The wound is healed only by the Spirit of God through searching the heart, humbling under the mighty hand of God, and falling broken on the Rock Christ Jesus through the grace given of Him, for without Christ nothing can be done. Unless that spirit is removed, a person will walk in the sparks of his own kindling and lie down in sorrow, and carrying such blind zeal into churches and conferences is a great calamity.
Israel's Zeal and Prophecy
Religious zeal can appear to serve God while actually opposing Him, for after God's presence was withdrawn from the Jewish nation the people continued temple worship and invoked divine blessing, yet they stood guilty of Christ's death and sought to kill His followers. At the end of the world those deprived of God's Spirit will likewise continue religious forms, while satanic zeal for evil purposes bears the appearance of zeal for God. People can be stirred with religious zeal yet lack knowledge of the truth, and such misguided zeal helps turn people from truths essential to salvation and fuels opposition to God's law. Those who think they have zeal for God may actually be doing Satan's work, for religious sincerity and apparent piety do not make doubts right when they weaken confidence in God's work.
The same uncontrolled traits of character that worked against Christ at His first advent led to the first steps in rejecting Him. At Minneapolis this described responsible workers whose wrong ideas and spirit not of God had controlled them for years, and who were lifted up and exalted. They cherished as truth things out of harmony with the message of truth while Satan exploited their human nature, and nearly all disregarded the position and work God had given. Once feet were set in the wrong path, pride, jealousy, and self-righteousness would not allow acknowledgment of mistake, keeping them from admitting error in rebellion that insulted the Spirit of God.
It is the very spirit the Jews had in investigating the Scriptures in the days of Christ, having ears but hearing not and eyes but seeing not. There is a great zeal that God does not impart, a blind zeal joined to a lofty self-sufficient spirit marked by prejudice, self-esteem and pride of heart, thinking one knows it all and can learn nothing. Unless that spirit is removed by searching the heart, humbling under the mighty hand of God, and breaking the heart by falling on the Rock Christ Jesus, it will cause a person to walk in the sparks of his own kindling and lie down in sorrow. Carrying such blind zeal into churches and conferences is a great calamity.
Marks of Misguided Zeal
Zeal without sound judgment and love turns harsh, overbearing and unloving, confusing people and scattering them instead of gathering them to Christ, weakening the flock and driving some beyond reach. When it seeks to control others and wounds them it stands opposed to meekness and lowliness, and calls for humble confession, repentance and seeking forgiveness from those harmed. Expressed by attacking fellow believers it is selfish and unsanctified, harms the peace of the church, and is not the work of Christ.
Such zeal flatters itself that it serves God while discrimination and judgment are perverted, because it is not tempered with love, does not deal justly and does not love mercy, and is greatly deficient in Christian charity and wise discipline toward the erring. It watches with suspicion and jealousy, makes public the faults of one not present to explain himself, and condemns in a hard, harsh, overbearing spirit as a judge, without the sympathy, tenderness, fatherly care and prayer that belong to laboring to save a sinner. Without true knowledge it becomes a critical, Pharisaical spirit that judges and condemns brethren, treats the erring with indifference, neglect and contempt, bruises and wounds souls, seeks to control minds and make others see alike, and excludes Jesus for want of mercy and love, being the spirit of Jehu rather than the meekness and lowliness of Christ. Those guilty of it must heartily confess error, humble the proud heart before God, cast aside their own ways, go to those injured to admit sin and ask forgiveness and prayer, and confess faults one to another that they may be healed.
Appearing to have zeal for the truth while manifesting a harsh, denunciatory spirit toward opposers of the faith or toward brethren, with unkindness, evil thoughts and harsh, severe judgments, is zeal not according to knowledge and never the fruit of the wisdom from above, but the sure fruit of unsanctified ambition such as caused the condemnation of Jesus. Zeal alone did not justify mistaken positions or a harsh spirit in opposing the publishing of articles on the Sabbath and the second coming, and the truth must instead be presented fully and clearly in mild and circumspect language that represents Christ, with kind forgiving courtesy, works of piety, equity and purity, the meekness of wisdom, readiness to forgive, and earnest seeking to be at peace with brethren. Misguided zeal polices fellow believers while neglecting the heart, being fearful that brethren will not be zealous and repent while forgetting one's own wrongs that must be righted, and with an unsanctified heart trying to right brethren. It makes it too light an affair to rein up a brother, condemn him and hold him under condemnation, whereas zeal according to knowledge attends to one's own case and sets one's own heart in order first, so that testimony comes from a full soul and mutual love becomes visible and influential. When sin is plain upon a brother it tells him the wrong privately with love for his soul, compassion and mercy, then leaves it with him and God without passing sentence, so unbelievers are moved and the witness of the Spirit tells that they are children of God.
Outward intensity does not prove godliness, for a person may claim the Holy Spirit and display intense grief or religious excitement while cherishing secret sins, pride, ambition, self-preference and unbelief. Zeal driven by impulse or self-confidence does not replace humble trust in God, a contrite heart, obedience and the duties that should produce good works, and prayer and religious activity without these may not be answered as expected. False zeal is stirred up when already-published truth is gathered with a few strong expressions and special pleading and woven with a human spirit into exaggerated, untimely statements that people catch hold of and act upon. That kind of zeal creates excitement and unhealthy developments and rash movements that greatly mar the work of God, casting suspicion and doubt upon the work that spreads like wildfire wherever truth is presented. It shows in abrupt words and actions, revealing failure to keep the eyes on Jesus and to stay on watch lest worldly policy creep in and one-sided plans and false ideas cloud spiritual judgment, unbalance the mind and grieve the Holy Spirit. Many in this condition are in positive danger without realizing it, breathing the tainted atmosphere of the enemy until deception creeps upon them as a thief in the night, clear spiritual vision is dimmed, and a line of action formed on false conceptions is followed.
True Zeal According to Knowledge
Zeal controlled by the Holy Spirit and guided by sanctified principles is good, while zeal without that guidance turns self-centered, seeks personal glory, displays ability, and can even act dishonestly to do so. Christian zeal so controlled is principled, steady and earnest, directed to saving souls and glorifying God, moving to effective action rather than mere talk or show, and remaining humble. It appears in earnest prayer, in faithfulness at home, and in the love, gentleness, benevolence and compassion shown in family life. Selfish ambition is the opposite, disregarding greater needs elsewhere, grasping too much, and building up personal work at the expense of God's work.
When worked and guided by the Holy Spirit, zeal is according to knowledge, does not lead into false paths, reflects the light God has given, puts away criticism, and lives in humility and unity with one another and with Christ. It guards the spirit, humbles self before God, and treats others with grace, for God deals with people according to the grace they show others. It requires mild and circumspect language that represents Christ, kind forgiving courtesy, works of piety, equity and purity, the meekness of wisdom, readiness to forgive, and earnest seeking to be at peace with brethren. Appearing to have zeal for truth while manifesting a harsh, denunciatory spirit toward opposers or brethren, with unkindness, evil thoughts and severe judgments, is never the fruit of wisdom from above but the sure fruit of unsanctified ambition such as caused the condemnation of Jesus.
Zeal according to knowledge sets one's own heart in order first instead of policing brethren while forgetting one's own wrongs that must be righted. Fear that brethren will not be zealous and repent, while with an unsanctified heart trying to right them, makes it too light an affair to rein up a brother, condemn him and hold him under condemnation. When sin is plain upon a brother, true zeal tells him the wrong privately with love for his soul, compassion and mercy, then leaves it with him and God without passing sentence. Then testimony comes from a full soul, unbelievers are moved, the witness of the Spirit tells that believers are children of God, and mutual love is visible and influential. Zeal that has tried to control others and has wounded them, acting in the critical, Pharisaical, Jehu spirit rather than the meekness and lowliness of Christ, treating the erring with indifference, neglect and contempt, seeking to control minds and make others see things the same way, and excluding Jesus for want of mercy and love, must heartily confess error, humble the proud heart before God, cast aside its own ways, go to those injured to admit sin and ask forgiveness and prayer, and confess faults one to another that it may be healed.
Those who are zealous but lack knowledge should talk less to defend the faith and study the Bible more, letting a modest, humble and consistent life show the good the truth works in a willing heart and life. Zeal without knowledge does not qualify one to enlighten and guide others or to teach those met. Ministers should present the reasons for faith and hope calmly and clearly so listeners can weigh the evidence, and as they feel the force of solemn truth their zeal and earnestness are according to knowledge and the Spirit sanctifies the truths they teach. Canvassers likewise need wisdom and words made wise and holy by the Spirit, speaking carefully rather than displaying theological skill or provoking opposition.
Genuine zeal is grounded in truth and directed by it rather than being led by deceptive teachings. Zeal separated from knowledge is not enough, and only knowledge joined to zeal makes work bear the divine impress. Christ's purity gives work sacredness and elevation, while the Holy Spirit's sanctification turns people from self-reliance and leads helpless souls to depend on Christ.
Counsel for Church Labor
In dealing with annoying and discouraging elements in the church, zeal without knowledge does too much to cure difficulties, takes hold of matters prematurely, and tries to set things in order in one's own spirit. Difficulties if left alone will frequently work their own cure, while forcibly pulling up the tares loosens the precious wheat, so great carefulness, patience, and self-control are needed to bear these things. Zeal according to knowledge does not move hastily to stir up, tear down, unsettle and uproot what is united or to press a separation, but looks on every side of the question and examines every side in matters of separation. It acts only after having carefully studied a better arrangement that gives comfort and builds up in right order, and it moves very cautiously and with pitying tenderness toward those whose full circumstances are not known.
Zeal for the Lord can carry beyond wisdom and beyond what real needs require, as in building a meetinghouse too large for the condition and ability of the people. Such zeal makes calculations without consulting ministers and men of experience, takes on obligations that cannot be met without embarrassment, and forces a heavy burden on brethren whose judgment is set aside. Though intending to do the will of God, it is unwise in its calculations and unaware that self is mixed with the effort, leaving brethren feeling tried, annoyed and abused, breaking the love and union that should exist among brethren, and letting enemies of the faith strengthen themselves against the truth. Applied to physicians, fiercely promoting one school of medicine while bitterly condemning others is zeal not according to knowledge, especially when pride makes them look down on those without a diploma from a favored school. Such conduct springs from Pharisaic pride and shows need of humility and a changed life, for Christian physicians should represent Christ through godly lives rather than give prominence to a preferred theory or treat it as the only worthy one.
Zeal is good when controlled by the Holy Spirit, but without sanctified principles it can lead to dishonesty and self-display, making a person disregard greater needs elsewhere, grasp too much, and build up personal work at the expense of God's work. Zealously criticizing workers in foreign fields and trying to manage work one does not understand is not wisdom, but unreasonable and unjust, and those who are absent should not hinder the workers but attend to the work God has given them. Efforts to criticize and hinder the work in Nashville and the Southern field were not led by God, and true conversion and repentance would turn that zeal toward making up for neglect and helping establish work in the field. Believing and teaching the truth does not excuse responding to correction with bitterness and self-protective zeal, for such conduct reveals an unchristlike spirit rather than genuine Christianity and shows zeal not governed by knowledge and sound Bible principle. The same misguided zeal appears when earnest deliberation in councils produces remarks and decisions entirely contrary to the principles of faith, such as holding up the Sentinel and demanding that it must come out, and when earnest opposition to the truth proves ignorant and spiritually unproductive, as with Bro. V, whose zeal alone did not show that his course pleased God. Enthusiasm for the Health Institute with pride and self-sufficiency rather than humble seeking of the Lord was of this kind, not coming from God's Spirit.
Earnest devotion to God is not enough by itself, for sincerity and intensity do not prove that a course is right or heaven-led. Knowledge that makes zeal right is sound judgment, wisdom and Bible principle, with the heart controlled by the Holy Spirit so that religion remains temperate and balanced. Zeal without that guidance turns fanatical, hurried and extreme, pressing small things, acting forcefully in the wrong direction, and joining itself to pride, prejudice and self-sufficiency. In that state it becomes harsh, overbearing and unloving, wounding others, judging without mercy, scattering rather than gathering, and harming the peace of the church. Zeal that is according to knowledge is steady, humble and earnest to save souls and glorify God, putting away criticism, treating others with grace and courtesy, setting the heart right first and restoring the erring in love.
Meaning of the Words
Zeal for God is not enough without knowledge, and earnestness alone does not prove that a course pleases God or is led by God. Zeal and impulse are good when controlled by the Holy Spirit and guided by sanctified principles, but without that guidance they turn self-centered, seeking personal glory and display of ability instead of service to others. Earnest opposition to truth can be ignorant and spiritually unproductive, and an earnest position can stand contrary to the very principles of faith. Enthusiasm that is accompanied by pride and self-sufficiency rather than humble seeking of the Lord does not come from God's Spirit. Zeal without sound understanding does harsh, unloving work that confuses and scatters people instead of gathering them to Christ, whereas zeal that endures is grounded in truth and directed by truth rather than led by deceptive teachings.
Knowledge in the verse means sound reason, sound judgment, wisdom, truth, and sound Bible principle, with temperance in religion itself being zeal according to knowledge while fanaticism is to be left alone. When worked and guided by the Holy Spirit, zeal according to knowledge does not lead others into false paths but reflects the light given, puts away criticism, and lives in humility and unity. Such zeal is controlled by the Holy Spirit and guided by sanctified principles, grounded in truth and directed by it.
Zeal not according to knowledge is fanatical, hurried, and exacting, carrying matters to extremes, putting great faith in small things that do not deserve it, and acting energetically in things that prove to be all wrong. It cannot be relied upon and cannot be safely followed in the church, because it is not according to knowledge or good sound reason. It forgets one's own weakness and failings and how much patience was needed toward oneself, while watching for failings in those who hold back and are slow to move. It measures all with an iron rule and makes visions an iron rule to bring others up to and measure them by, letting feelings take the lead and letting strong feelings govern until souls are pushed off. In place of this, the judicious, reasonable course is patient, forbearing dealing that brings souls along, bearing with one another while remembering one's own failings, making allowance for different temperaments and minds, recognizing that all cannot bear the same rigid discipline or be brought to another's ideas of duty, and dealing as the kind and compassionate Saviour deals who bears long instead of rigidly marking words and acts and cutting off.
There is a great blind zeal that God does not impart, joined to a lofty, self-sufficient spirit. It is marked by prejudice, self-esteem and pride of heart, and by thinking one knows it all and can learn nothing, lacking harmony with the Spirit of God. This is the very spirit shown in investigating the Scriptures in the days of Christ, having ears but hearing not and eyes but seeing not. Such a course grieves the Spirit of God, lets Satan triumph, and wounds the soul. The wound is healed only by the Spirit of God through searching the heart, humbling under the mighty hand of God, and falling broken on the Rock Christ Jesus through the grace given of Him, for without Christ nothing can be done. Unless that spirit is removed, a person will walk in the sparks of his own kindling and lie down in sorrow, and carrying such blind zeal into churches and conferences is a great calamity.
Israel's Zeal and Prophecy
Religious zeal can appear to serve God while actually opposing Him, for after God's presence was withdrawn from the Jewish nation the people continued temple worship and invoked divine blessing, yet they stood guilty of Christ's death and sought to kill His followers. At the end of the world those deprived of God's Spirit will likewise continue religious forms, while satanic zeal for evil purposes bears the appearance of zeal for God. People can be stirred with religious zeal yet lack knowledge of the truth, and such misguided zeal helps turn people from truths essential to salvation and fuels opposition to God's law. Those who think they have zeal for God may actually be doing Satan's work, for religious sincerity and apparent piety do not make doubts right when they weaken confidence in God's work.
The same uncontrolled traits of character that worked against Christ at His first advent led to the first steps in rejecting Him. At Minneapolis this described responsible workers whose wrong ideas and spirit not of God had controlled them for years, and who were lifted up and exalted. They cherished as truth things out of harmony with the message of truth while Satan exploited their human nature, and nearly all disregarded the position and work God had given. Once feet were set in the wrong path, pride, jealousy, and self-righteousness would not allow acknowledgment of mistake, keeping them from admitting error in rebellion that insulted the Spirit of God.
It is the very spirit the Jews had in investigating the Scriptures in the days of Christ, having ears but hearing not and eyes but seeing not. There is a great zeal that God does not impart, a blind zeal joined to a lofty self-sufficient spirit marked by prejudice, self-esteem and pride of heart, thinking one knows it all and can learn nothing. Unless that spirit is removed by searching the heart, humbling under the mighty hand of God, and breaking the heart by falling on the Rock Christ Jesus, it will cause a person to walk in the sparks of his own kindling and lie down in sorrow. Carrying such blind zeal into churches and conferences is a great calamity.
Marks of Misguided Zeal
Zeal without sound judgment and love turns harsh, overbearing and unloving, confusing people and scattering them instead of gathering them to Christ, weakening the flock and driving some beyond reach. When it seeks to control others and wounds them it stands opposed to meekness and lowliness, and calls for humble confession, repentance and seeking forgiveness from those harmed. Expressed by attacking fellow believers it is selfish and unsanctified, harms the peace of the church, and is not the work of Christ.
Such zeal flatters itself that it serves God while discrimination and judgment are perverted, because it is not tempered with love, does not deal justly and does not love mercy, and is greatly deficient in Christian charity and wise discipline toward the erring. It watches with suspicion and jealousy, makes public the faults of one not present to explain himself, and condemns in a hard, harsh, overbearing spirit as a judge, without the sympathy, tenderness, fatherly care and prayer that belong to laboring to save a sinner. Without true knowledge it becomes a critical, Pharisaical spirit that judges and condemns brethren, treats the erring with indifference, neglect and contempt, bruises and wounds souls, seeks to control minds and make others see alike, and excludes Jesus for want of mercy and love, being the spirit of Jehu rather than the meekness and lowliness of Christ. Those guilty of it must heartily confess error, humble the proud heart before God, cast aside their own ways, go to those injured to admit sin and ask forgiveness and prayer, and confess faults one to another that they may be healed.
Appearing to have zeal for the truth while manifesting a harsh, denunciatory spirit toward opposers of the faith or toward brethren, with unkindness, evil thoughts and harsh, severe judgments, is zeal not according to knowledge and never the fruit of the wisdom from above, but the sure fruit of unsanctified ambition such as caused the condemnation of Jesus. Zeal alone did not justify mistaken positions or a harsh spirit in opposing the publishing of articles on the Sabbath and the second coming, and the truth must instead be presented fully and clearly in mild and circumspect language that represents Christ, with kind forgiving courtesy, works of piety, equity and purity, the meekness of wisdom, readiness to forgive, and earnest seeking to be at peace with brethren. Misguided zeal polices fellow believers while neglecting the heart, being fearful that brethren will not be zealous and repent while forgetting one's own wrongs that must be righted, and with an unsanctified heart trying to right brethren. It makes it too light an affair to rein up a brother, condemn him and hold him under condemnation, whereas zeal according to knowledge attends to one's own case and sets one's own heart in order first, so that testimony comes from a full soul and mutual love becomes visible and influential. When sin is plain upon a brother it tells him the wrong privately with love for his soul, compassion and mercy, then leaves it with him and God without passing sentence, so unbelievers are moved and the witness of the Spirit tells that they are children of God.
Outward intensity does not prove godliness, for a person may claim the Holy Spirit and display intense grief or religious excitement while cherishing secret sins, pride, ambition, self-preference and unbelief. Zeal driven by impulse or self-confidence does not replace humble trust in God, a contrite heart, obedience and the duties that should produce good works, and prayer and religious activity without these may not be answered as expected. False zeal is stirred up when already-published truth is gathered with a few strong expressions and special pleading and woven with a human spirit into exaggerated, untimely statements that people catch hold of and act upon. That kind of zeal creates excitement and unhealthy developments and rash movements that greatly mar the work of God, casting suspicion and doubt upon the work that spreads like wildfire wherever truth is presented. It shows in abrupt words and actions, revealing failure to keep the eyes on Jesus and to stay on watch lest worldly policy creep in and one-sided plans and false ideas cloud spiritual judgment, unbalance the mind and grieve the Holy Spirit. Many in this condition are in positive danger without realizing it, breathing the tainted atmosphere of the enemy until deception creeps upon them as a thief in the night, clear spiritual vision is dimmed, and a line of action formed on false conceptions is followed.
True Zeal According to Knowledge
Zeal controlled by the Holy Spirit and guided by sanctified principles is good, while zeal without that guidance turns self-centered, seeks personal glory, displays ability, and can even act dishonestly to do so. Christian zeal so controlled is principled, steady and earnest, directed to saving souls and glorifying God, moving to effective action rather than mere talk or show, and remaining humble. It appears in earnest prayer, in faithfulness at home, and in the love, gentleness, benevolence and compassion shown in family life. Selfish ambition is the opposite, disregarding greater needs elsewhere, grasping too much, and building up personal work at the expense of God's work.
When worked and guided by the Holy Spirit, zeal is according to knowledge, does not lead into false paths, reflects the light God has given, puts away criticism, and lives in humility and unity with one another and with Christ. It guards the spirit, humbles self before God, and treats others with grace, for God deals with people according to the grace they show others. It requires mild and circumspect language that represents Christ, kind forgiving courtesy, works of piety, equity and purity, the meekness of wisdom, readiness to forgive, and earnest seeking to be at peace with brethren. Appearing to have zeal for truth while manifesting a harsh, denunciatory spirit toward opposers or brethren, with unkindness, evil thoughts and severe judgments, is never the fruit of wisdom from above but the sure fruit of unsanctified ambition such as caused the condemnation of Jesus.
Zeal according to knowledge sets one's own heart in order first instead of policing brethren while forgetting one's own wrongs that must be righted. Fear that brethren will not be zealous and repent, while with an unsanctified heart trying to right them, makes it too light an affair to rein up a brother, condemn him and hold him under condemnation. When sin is plain upon a brother, true zeal tells him the wrong privately with love for his soul, compassion and mercy, then leaves it with him and God without passing sentence. Then testimony comes from a full soul, unbelievers are moved, the witness of the Spirit tells that believers are children of God, and mutual love is visible and influential. Zeal that has tried to control others and has wounded them, acting in the critical, Pharisaical, Jehu spirit rather than the meekness and lowliness of Christ, treating the erring with indifference, neglect and contempt, seeking to control minds and make others see things the same way, and excluding Jesus for want of mercy and love, must heartily confess error, humble the proud heart before God, cast aside its own ways, go to those injured to admit sin and ask forgiveness and prayer, and confess faults one to another that it may be healed.
Those who are zealous but lack knowledge should talk less to defend the faith and study the Bible more, letting a modest, humble and consistent life show the good the truth works in a willing heart and life. Zeal without knowledge does not qualify one to enlighten and guide others or to teach those met. Ministers should present the reasons for faith and hope calmly and clearly so listeners can weigh the evidence, and as they feel the force of solemn truth their zeal and earnestness are according to knowledge and the Spirit sanctifies the truths they teach. Canvassers likewise need wisdom and words made wise and holy by the Spirit, speaking carefully rather than displaying theological skill or provoking opposition.
Genuine zeal is grounded in truth and directed by it rather than being led by deceptive teachings. Zeal separated from knowledge is not enough, and only knowledge joined to zeal makes work bear the divine impress. Christ's purity gives work sacredness and elevation, while the Holy Spirit's sanctification turns people from self-reliance and leads helpless souls to depend on Christ.
Counsel for Church Labor
In dealing with annoying and discouraging elements in the church, zeal without knowledge does too much to cure difficulties, takes hold of matters prematurely, and tries to set things in order in one's own spirit. Difficulties if left alone will frequently work their own cure, while forcibly pulling up the tares loosens the precious wheat, so great carefulness, patience, and self-control are needed to bear these things. Zeal according to knowledge does not move hastily to stir up, tear down, unsettle and uproot what is united or to press a separation, but looks on every side of the question and examines every side in matters of separation. It acts only after having carefully studied a better arrangement that gives comfort and builds up in right order, and it moves very cautiously and with pitying tenderness toward those whose full circumstances are not known.
Zeal for the Lord can carry beyond wisdom and beyond what real needs require, as in building a meetinghouse too large for the condition and ability of the people. Such zeal makes calculations without consulting ministers and men of experience, takes on obligations that cannot be met without embarrassment, and forces a heavy burden on brethren whose judgment is set aside. Though intending to do the will of God, it is unwise in its calculations and unaware that self is mixed with the effort, leaving brethren feeling tried, annoyed and abused, breaking the love and union that should exist among brethren, and letting enemies of the faith strengthen themselves against the truth. Applied to physicians, fiercely promoting one school of medicine while bitterly condemning others is zeal not according to knowledge, especially when pride makes them look down on those without a diploma from a favored school. Such conduct springs from Pharisaic pride and shows need of humility and a changed life, for Christian physicians should represent Christ through godly lives rather than give prominence to a preferred theory or treat it as the only worthy one.
Zeal is good when controlled by the Holy Spirit, but without sanctified principles it can lead to dishonesty and self-display, making a person disregard greater needs elsewhere, grasp too much, and build up personal work at the expense of God's work. Zealously criticizing workers in foreign fields and trying to manage work one does not understand is not wisdom, but unreasonable and unjust, and those who are absent should not hinder the workers but attend to the work God has given them. Efforts to criticize and hinder the work in Nashville and the Southern field were not led by God, and true conversion and repentance would turn that zeal toward making up for neglect and helping establish work in the field. Believing and teaching the truth does not excuse responding to correction with bitterness and self-protective zeal, for such conduct reveals an unchristlike spirit rather than genuine Christianity and shows zeal not governed by knowledge and sound Bible principle. The same misguided zeal appears when earnest deliberation in councils produces remarks and decisions entirely contrary to the principles of faith, such as holding up the Sentinel and demanding that it must come out, and when earnest opposition to the truth proves ignorant and spiritually unproductive, as with Bro. V, whose zeal alone did not show that his course pleased God. Enthusiasm for the Health Institute with pride and self-sufficiency rather than humble seeking of the Lord was of this kind, not coming from God's Spirit.