"Overzealous-ness"... what?

[duh_hikki_zealot]

I know that there is a passage in the bible which stated, "... your "overzealousness" kills me..." or something close to that. So what is overzealousness anyway?

I tried reaching out to people about God, and they say that "overzealous" Christians make them turn away from God... or if they're Christians already, they're being humiliated by that.

What is being overzealous like anyway?

 

[Knight]

If by "overzealous" you mean pushy then I would agree that it's a bad idea. The Bible does not teach us to force faith upon anybody. Merely present the Gospel message.

 

[KleinerApfel]

There's a lot more to this, but my first reaction would be to say that an over-zealous Christian is most easily recognised by a lack of manners.

It has become, for them, more important to demonstrate that they are right (about just about everything) than to demonstrate the love and grace of God in action.

They usually have a real desire to help, but their methods can tend towards pushiness, aggression, judgmentalism and a "holier than thou" attitude.

Sadly, this tends to push a lot of people further from the truth rather than attracting them to Jesus.

I hope I am not like that, but suspect I have sometimes come over that way when I get over-excited. Probably anyone with a passion for anything at all is capable of this pitfall. We all need to be aware of our potential for it ,and learn to emphasise gentleness and respect in conversations with those who doubt or disagree.

1 Peter 3
"in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

God bless, Susana

 

[Rafael]

Susana has hit the nail on the head, sota speak - pride blinds people to themselves and their behavior. Being humbled takes a lifetime, and learning to be meek and humble is only a small part of learning love.
So often the basic practical love is forgotten or not taught. We love ourselves by feeding and clothing our bodies and are told to love our neighbors as ourselves, but many in the world starve to death everyday and go naked. These people are effectively Jesus when He says, "did you feed me when I was hungry" or "did you clothe me when I was naked?" This practical Christianity is asked about when the Lord returns, according to scripture.
All people hold the truth unrighteously at some point in their lives and can be forgiven if they respond to conviction from God's Spirit and repent.

 

[Serapha]

I know that there is a passage in the bible which stated, "... your "overzealousness" kills me..." or something close to that. So what is overzealousness anyway?

I tried reaching out to people about God, and they say that "overzealous" Christians make them turn away from God... or if they're Christians already, they're being humiliated by that.

What is being overzealous like anyway?

Hi there!



The apostle John was filled with "zeal"... and in his youth was referenced as one of the "sons of thunder"... but by growing in knowledge of the love of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit, the apostle John became the most loving to people of all the disciples, teaching that God is love.


The Holy Spirit is there to empower you to speak boldly... but to speak on a level that you can communicate. You don't talk to a first-grader with college terminology, you go to their level, and being in the easiest form to understand. That means, you don't jump into a "zealous" presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and condemn them to hell...

You find out where they are in their spiritual walk, and you walk beside them, talking to them, not talking down to them. You might have to get your hands dirty reaching down into the mirey clay to reach people, but remember, God reached down into the mirey clay to pull you out and clean you up. But God reached down in love....

Zeal is okay, when it is adimistered with love.


~serapha~

 

[duh_hikki_zealot]

Thanks guys! I was a bit alarmed about that. It made me wonder if I'm like that at times? Probably because of too much excitement you tend to be pushy, and pride in being a Christian you approach people the wrong way..

Sooo... Let's just all pray that we be filled with the Holy Spirit