Don’t Be Hotheaded

For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (Romans 10:2)

It's good to follow God with passion and zeal. However, there’s a dangerous trap that passionate people can fall into—zeal without knowledge. Having zeal without knowledge is like trying to drive a car with the gas pedal pressed to the floor but no steering wheel. It might get you somewhere, but probably not where God wants you to go…and probably not safely. In Acts 21, Paul was warned by prophets of God multiple times not to go to Jerusalem because they foresaw danger ahead. Yet, Paul was impulsive, and instead of listening to wise advice, he let his zeal control him. He desperately wanted to reach his people and be in Jerusalem, so he ignored his better judgment. Sometimes, even our love for a cause or group can keep us from obeying what God is telling us. Just because something feels right doesn’t mean it’s obedience to God. Paul’s choice to follow what he felt in his heart, rather than in his spirit, led him to be imprisoned. Still, God used him even through the consequences of that bad decision, but how much pain do we cause ourselves just because we don’t pause to listen?

In college, my friend and I had a lot of zeal but lacked knowledge. We would tell everything that moved that they were going to hell! But honestly, that’s all we knew at the time. Full of passion, but off in doctrine. Spiritual maturity requires more than just boldness; it requires understanding as well. Zeal is not a substitute for submission to God’s Word.

Practical Application

Has your desire to do something for God caused you to overlook something from God? Don’t let yourself get so excited about something that you stop relying on and listening to the Holy Spirit.

Acts 21:20; Proverbs 19:2