God’s Zeal and Human Zeal

God’s Zeal and Human Zeal

These two kinds of zeal are as completely different as are God and sinful people.

God zealously desires the spirit He let dwell in us. In Swedish, zeal is called “nitälskan (love-zeal)”: God loves with great zeal in order to cleanse and save our spirit, to cleanse and save us.

Paul writes, “For I am jealous [zealous] for you with a godly jealousy [zeal].” 2 Cor. 11:2. In other words, we can possess the same godly zeal that God possesses. Then our heart is burning to be thoroughly saved ourselves as much as possible in the best possible way, contributing to the thorough salvation of others. It is also written about Phinehas in the old covenant, that he was zealous with God’s zeal. Num. 25:11.

On the other hand, human zeal is a fervent love for furthering one’s own; for example, defending one’s own person, exalting oneself, and criticizing, judging, and attacking others.

There are therefore two kinds of burning zeal. The one kind is from above; the other kind is from below. The one kind is there to help and to save, whereas the other kind hurts us and others.

The one kind is God’s fire, the other kind is strange fire. The one kind is benign, the other kind is malevolent. The one kind is holy, the other kind is unholy. Let us therefore follow the exhortation: “Abhor what is evil.” Rom. 12:9.