How can Acts 26:11 challenge us to examine our own religious zeal today? The Zeal of Saul Exposed “And frequently I punished them in the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme; in my raging fury against them, I even went to foreign cities to persecute them.” (Acts 26:11) What Went Wrong with Saul’s Zeal? • He was convinced he was serving God, yet he was fighting God’s people (Galatians 1:13–14). • He relied on tradition and self-righteousness instead of God’s revealed plan in Christ (Philippians 3:6–9). • His passion lacked love, producing violence rather than the fruit of the Spirit (James 1:20). Why This Verse Jolts Us Today • Religious activity is not the same as obedience; zeal can be misdirected (Romans 10:2–3). • Good intentions do not cancel harmful outcomes; sincerity without truth still damages. • Persecution may look different now, but harsh words, pride, and division can spring from the same root. Four Heart-Checks for Modern Believers 1. Alignment with Scripture – Is my conviction grounded in the whole counsel of God (2 Timothy 3:16–17), or in personal preference? 2. Christ-like Love – Do I treat opponents the way Jesus treated His (Luke 23:34)? 3. Humility and Teachability – Am I open to correction like Saul was on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3–6)? 4. Fruit Inspection – Does my zeal produce “love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22–23), or strife and anger? Fueling Zeal the Right Way • Fix eyes on Jesus—the perfect model of fiery yet compassionate commitment (Hebrews 12:2). • Let the Spirit kindle holy passion that serves rather than harms (Romans 12:11–13). • Pursue knowledge and discernment so zeal grows in wisdom (Philippians 1:9–10). • Seek accountability within the body; Paul himself submitted to Ananias, then to the church (Acts 9:17–19, 27). Bottom Line: Zeal under Christ’s Lordship Acts 26:11 warns that unexamined passion can oppose the very God we aim to honor. When zeal is surrendered to Scripture, shaped by love, and empowered by the Spirit, it becomes a force that builds up the church and draws the world to the Savior. |
    |