Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Passion and zeal can be catalysts. They can energize and motivate us to move behind a cause and a leader. It can be exciting to be a part of something big or dynamic. And so, sometimes, the big and dynamic thing or person is not held up against the Word of God.

What am I really passionate about? What drives me and excites me? Who is the most passionate person I know and what can I learn from them?

These are important questions to consider, for life without passion and drive can be dull. However, there is a responsibility with zeal and passion — I must make sure I focus this powerful energy on the things of God.

This is what the Apostle Paul is so frustrated about … the Galatians have allowed false doctrine and the ways of the world to be their passion. The Galatians were taking ground alright, but it was in the wrong direction. And now there is correction and rework to do to get them back to where they were.

So how do we know when we are being zealous for the right things? 1) We have to hold every teaching accountable to the Word of God, like the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). 2) We must pray and connect to God’s Spirit with a pure heart, confessing sin and checking motives as we pray. This is important so we are not acting in our own strength and our own plans.

What is the goal of false doctrine and teaching? It has the same goal as its father, the Devil, who is called the father of lies — division of the body of Christ and the destruction of faith. And so, we can also recognize it a lot of times by its fruit.

Lord, may you make me dependent on your Spirit in my heart, humble to see your forgiveness and grace, and then bold and zealous only for your kingdom priorities and your truth.