Why Do False Gospels Spread with Such Zeal?

Zeal Without Truth

Paul lamented in Romans 10:2, “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Zeal by itself is not evidence of genuine salvation. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of people passionately pursuing falsehood. The Pharisees “traveled over land and sea to win a single convert” Matthew 23:15 yet they shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. Their fervor was genuine, but it was misguided and destructive.

Satan’s Urgency in Spreading Lies

Why does it seem that Satan’s agents often display more zeal than God’s children? Revelation 12:12 reminds us that Satan rages because “he knows that his time is short.” He works tirelessly to spread deception, mobilizing followers to advance false teaching with energy and boldness. Whether it be cults like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses today, or the Gnostics and Arians of church history, error has often marched forward with relentless drive.

The Appeal of Works and Novelty

False gospels frequently tie zeal to works. By convincing people that evangelism, obedience to laws, or the discovery of hidden truths will earn them favor with God, false teachers produce an urgency rooted in pride and fear rather than love and gratitude. This explains why so many heretical movements seem tireless: their followers believe their salvation depends on their efforts. In contrast, the true gospel offers freedom, but too often, believers mistake freedom for passivity rather than a call to serve. Titus 2:14 says Christ “redeemed us from all lawlessness to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” True grace should fuel holy action, not spiritual slumber.

Lessons from Church History

History is filled with examples of heretical zeal. The Gnostics in the second century wrote prolifically and spread their ideas far and wide. The Arians in the fourth century nearly overtook the church with their persistence, requiring Athanasius to stand “contra mundum” against the world. Even the Cathars of the Middle Ages displayed sacrificial devotion to their cause. In modern times, entire systems like Mormonism and the Jehovah’s Witnesses are built on structures of evangelistic fervor. Their zeal, to our shame, stands in sharp contrast to the complacency often found among those who know the transforming truth.

Testing Zeal by Sound Doctrine

We must be careful not to mistake passion for truth. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21-23 that many would perform mighty works in His name, yet He would declare, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” Zeal, even when clothed in religious language, must be tested against sound doctrine. This is especially true within movements that claim the name of Christ but distort His gospel. The charismatic world, for instance, often exhibits fervency and outreach, but when doctrine is corrupted, its efforts may advance error more vigorously than orthodox believers advance truth.

Rekindling True Zeal

The shame is not merely that false gospels spread quickly, but that the true gospel advances so slowly through those who should burn with love for Christ. We must ask: why do we, who have the living God dwelling within us, often lack zeal? The answer lies not in adopting the methods of error but in returning to our first love. Scripture calls us to be “fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” Romans 12:11. This zeal is not optional it is the natural outflow of hearts set ablaze by Christ’s mercy.

Conclusion

False gospels will always be spread with passion because Satan is tireless, and deception is powerful. But zeal itself is no proof of truth. What matters is whether zeal is grounded in sound doctrine and fueled by the Spirit of God. The church must not be deceived by outward fervor, nor should we grow complacent while error spreads unchecked. Instead, let us pray as Paul did, that we might be “zealous for good works” Titus 2:14 carrying the true gospel with urgency, clarity, and love. The world does not need more passion for lies; it needs Christians aflame with the truth.