Sanctified Zeal
Dear Cor Incensi,
Throughout the ages, zeal (in a spiritual context) is often thought of as a type of fire in the heart that burns for God, fueling our spiritual service and prayers with passion and intensity. And yet, just because zeal for God can seem strange to the worldly, it doesn’t mean all kinds of zeal are pure and good…
Scripture:
“For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” (2 Corinthians 5:13-14, KJV)
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:9-11, KJV)
Spiritual Reading:
A Coal From The Altar, To Kindle The Holy Fire of Zeale by Samuel Ward (1628)
[Series of excerpts]*
The roote shewes the nature of the branch. Zeale comes of Ζω, a word framed of the very sound and hissing noise, which hot coales or burning iron make when they meete with their contrary. In plaine English, zeale is nothing but heate: from whence it is, that zealous men are oft in Scripture sayd to burne in the spirit. ζεοντες πνευματι….
…he that earnestly or extreamely, Zelotes, a zelot; who to all the objects of his affections, is excessively and passionately disposed, his love is ever fervent, his desires eager, his delights ravishing, his hopes longing, his hatred deadly, his anger fierce, his greefe deep, his feare terrible….
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These are the speciall notes and symptomes of strange fires: the kinds also are many, and might be distributed into many heads; but I will reduce them into three, which are known by their names. ψευδοζηλος, counterfet Zeale, false fire. τυφλος ζηλος blinde Zeale, smoakie fire, or fooles fire, ignis fatuus. πικρος ζηλος, turbulent Zeale, wilde fire.
The first, wanting truth and sincerity, propounds sinister ends.
The second, [wanting] knowledge and discretion, takes wrong wayes.
The third, [wanting] love and humility, exceeds measure.
The first abounds amongst subtile & crafty professours, and is to be abhorred and detected.
The second among simple & devout, is to be pitied and directed.
The third amongst passionate and affectionate, and is to bee moderated and corrected….
[Of the proper fiery zeal]:
Say not in thine heart, What Prometheus shall ascend into heaven and fetch it thence; thou mayest fetch it thence by thine owne prayer: as didElias and the Apostles, men of infirmities as well as thy selfe; pray continually, and instantly: the Lord that breathed first thy soule into thee, will also breath on thy soule…
After the sparkles once by these meanes kindled, cherish and feede them by reading the word: Let it dwell richly in thine heart, excite thy dulnesse by spirituall Hymnes. Love-songs enflame not lust, more, then the Song of Songs doth zeale: Reade or sing the 119. Psalme; and if thou beest not zealous, every verse will checke thee in thy throat: Meditation is another helpe, approoved by Isaacks and Davids practice: An Art lately so taught, as I shall neede onely to poynt at the choyce theames, suiting and furthering this argument. I need not goe far to fetch this fire…
The Atheist thinks God takes as much notice of him and his prayers, as hee doth of the humming of Flyes and Bees; and therefore, no marvell if his service bee formall and fashionable. The faithfull Christian by faiths prospective sees him at home, and heares him saying, Well done thou good servant; which maketh him to worke out his heart.
*Ward, Samuel. A Coal From The Altar, To Kindle The Holy Fire of Zeale, Project Gutenberg, 2020. https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16423. eBook.
Weekly Fruit of the Spirit:
KINDNESS (form of gentleness)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23, KJV)
Spiritual Practice:
Contemplate… In what ways can a zealous kindness turn strange (false/counterfeit, foolish/blind, or turbulent/wild)?
Worship:
The Belonging Co. “Zeal (feat. Henry Seeley) // The Belonging Co // All the Earth.” All the Earth. 2018, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfXEPzDzwTU&list=RDNfXEPzDzwTU&start_radio=1. Accessed 17 Jan. 2026.
Pray
Heavenly Father,
Please spark the flames of zeal in my heart, and sanctify its forms of expression in my life. Renew my eyes of discernment so that I may understand true zeal springing from love for You, from zeal that has other motives or derives from other sources. Enlighten my understanding, and help me to serve you with all my heart.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
Deo Volente,
KS