Bigotry in zeal refers to an excessive or misguided fervor in religious matters, often leading to intolerance and a lack of love and understanding towards others. This concept is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, where zeal, when not tempered by wisdom and love, can lead to destructive behavior and attitudes.

Biblical Examples and Teachings

1. Pharisees and Sadducees: The New Testament frequently highlights the misguided zeal of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their strict adherence to the law, while neglecting the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness, exemplifies bigotry in zeal. Jesus rebukes them in Matthew 23:23 : "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."

2. Paul's Transformation: Before his conversion, Paul (formerly Saul) exhibited bigotry in zeal by persecuting Christians. In Galatians 1:13-14 , Paul reflects on his past: "For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I severely persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers." His transformation on the road to Damascus (Acts 9) illustrates the redirection of zeal towards love and truth.

3. Zeal Without Knowledge: Romans 10:2 warns against zeal that lacks understanding: "For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge." This passage underscores the importance of aligning zeal with the truth of the Gospel, rather than personal or cultural biases.

4. The Danger of Division: In 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 , Paul addresses the divisions within the church at Corinth, which were fueled by misguided zeal for different leaders: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction." This passage highlights how zeal, when not rooted in Christ, can lead to division and strife.

The Call to Righteous Zeal

The Bible calls believers to a righteous zeal that is characterized by love, humility, and a commitment to truth. In Titus 2:14 , Paul describes Jesus as one "who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." This zeal is not self-serving or divisive but is directed towards serving others and glorifying God.

Balancing Zeal with Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 emphasizes the necessity of love in all actions: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." This passage serves as a reminder that zeal, without love, is empty and unproductive.

In summary, while zeal for God and His commandments is commendable, it must be guided by knowledge, tempered with love, and directed towards the edification of others. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that caution against the dangers of bigotry in zeal, urging believers to pursue a balanced and loving approach to their faith.Romans 10:2,3
For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Nave's Topical Index

On Zeal
... that he would even "give his body to be burned," rather than refrain from it, call
this bigotry or superstition, if you please, but call it not zeal; that is ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 92 on zeal.htm

Against Atheism and Infidelity.
... for their own and for the public good, to act a least so confidently with themselves,
as not to burn with zeal for irreligion, and with bigotry for nonsense. ...
/.../sect viii against atheism and.htm

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
... Satan have poisoned our nature, never appear in so strong a light, as when they
assume a religious form; when ignorance, bigotry, and blind zeal, oppose the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xxi messiah derided upon.htm

Marks of Having Received the Holy Ghost
... to this: but then, where a person is truly in Christ, all narrowness of spirit
decreases in him daily; the partition wall of bigotry and party zeal is broken ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/marks of having received the.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... too much founded in truth: "We have just religion enough to make us hate one another."
The spirit of party, prejudice, bigotry, and interest, a zeal for systems ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

The Conversion of the Jailor of Philippi.
... having disturbed the peace of the world, by introducing bigotry and intolerance. ...
recommend themselves to the higher powers, by a furious zeal against innovation ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xviii the conversion of.htm

The Fiery Furnace
... The prosperity attending his reign filled him with pride. In time he ceased to honor
God, and resumed his idol worship with increased zeal and bigotry. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 41 the fiery furnace.htm

Black and Wesley.
... West Indies, visiting the islands, where they found wickedness and bigotry so rampant ...
need of a place of worship, and with his accustomed zeal and determination ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/v black and wesley.htm

Paul in Athens.
... the religion which their ancestors had received from God himself; by bigotry
originating in ... God, by the worship of his unworthy rivals, roused his zeal, and he ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xx paul in athens.htm

The Christian Assisted in Examining into his Growth in Grace.
... much is defective; in those in whom there is a mixture of bigotry and narrowness ...
as the disciples and servants of Christ, who, through a mistaken zeal, may be ...
/.../chapter xxvi the christian assisted.htm

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