What can we learn about zeal without knowledge from Acts 22:4? The Testimony of Acts 22:4 “ I persecuted this Way even to the death, binding and delivering both men and women to prison.” (Acts 22:4) Zeal Without Knowledge: Signs and Symptoms • Intensity without illumination—passion is sincere, but the target is wrong. • Confidence rooted in tradition or personal conviction rather than revealed truth. • Willingness to harm others “for God” (John 16:2). • Pride disguised as piety—“as for zeal, persecuting the church” (Philippians 3:6). High Cost of Misguided Zeal • Lives damaged or destroyed—Paul’s chains for believers led to death sentences. • Personal blindness—Hosea 4:6: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” • Resistance to God’s own work—Acts 5:39 warns, “you may even be found fighting against God.” • Lost testimony—zealous error stains the witness of God’s people. God’s Remedy: Zeal Anchored in Truth • Romans 10:2-3 exposes zeal “not on the basis of knowledge” and calls for submission to God’s righteousness. • Proverbs 19:2: “Even zeal is not good without knowledge.” • 2 Peter 1:5-8 urges us to “supplement your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge,” producing fruitful, balanced zeal. • Paul’s own turnaround—after meeting Christ (Acts 9), his zeal is redirected to preaching the gospel he once opposed (Acts 20:24). Practical Guardrails for Today • Test every passionate impulse against clear Scripture (Psalm 119:105). • Seek the full counsel of God, not isolated proof-texts (Acts 20:27). • Invite Spirit-led correction through mature believers (Proverbs 15:22). • Combine zeal with love: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1). • Pursue humility—be quick to repent when confronted by truth, as Paul did (Acts 9:18-20). Closing Encouragement The same Lord who redirected Paul’s misguided zeal can align ours. When passion is yoked to truth, it becomes a powerful instrument for life, not harm, and Christ is glorified. |
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