Ignorant Zeal
by Michael Davis
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 4, December 31, 1990
"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3). These are Paul's inspired words concerning the continuation of Israelite practices after the coming of the new law. If you read and study the text, you will notice that these were ignorant, zealous folks!
Ignorant zeal is found among some Christians. Get some excited about service to God, a potentially good work for the congregation to be involved in, or even getting them interested in teaching others about Christ and Him crucified, and often, the zeal is seen to be in ignorance. They want to do it their way, and not God’s. Thus, they go about establishing their own righteousness and fail to submit to the righteousness of God. Why? What went wrong?
Perhaps it is a failure to obey Paul’s command in I Thessalonians 5:21: "Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good." Just because someone or something sounds or looks good, does not make them or it righteous! It may indeed be the Devil appearing as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14). At best, it may be his devise. Therefore, we must "try the spirits, whether they are of God" (I John 4:1).
Ignorant zeal may also be due to failure in I Thessalonians 5:22: "Abstain from all appearance of evil." Even after obeying the gospel, it is hard for some to stay away from worldliness and sin. They "justify" it by saying "old habits are hard to break" and other such lies. But the truth is, some simply desire to continue giving only an appearance of righteousness; they would fail a test of knowledgeable zeal.
What then is the answer; how can ignorant zeal be avoided? Paul says, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him" (Colossians 3:17). Also, Peter, "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Peter 3:18). Again Paul, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God; a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:15).
All of this will cause us to "know whom we have believed" and also be able to recognize "the fiery darts of the wicked." To know God is one thing; to know His righteousness is another. John said it best when he said, "And hereby we do know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments!" (I John 2:3).
Ignorant zeal is to fail; but knowledgeable zeal is to learn more through obedience to Him!
