The Power of Zeal
In 2025 we have been exploring the Twelve Powers, a concept that originated within the Unity movement. The Twelve Powers identify specific spiritual attributes or abilities that every person can access in daily life. Most notably, this teaching was developed and articulated by Charles Fillmore, one of the cofounders of the Unity movement.
One of the central features of the Twelve Powers is that it views the gospel stories within the Christian scriptures as archetypal pictures of our own personal development. In particular, the story of Jesus and the twelve disciples serves as a symbolic framework:
- Jesus represents the Christ nature, or Higher Self, within each of us.
- Each disciple represents one of the twelve innate spiritual powers.
The core idea is that through spiritual practices such as focused attention, prayer, affirmations and denials, and meditation, we can call forth these abilities and bring them into harmony with the Christ nature. Just as Jesus called his disciples to a higher purpose, we can call forth these powers to fulfill a higher purpose in our own lives.
Fillmore referred to this process of calling forth the Twelve Powers under the authority of the Christ nature as the “regeneration” of humankind:
“Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
~ Matthew 19:28 NRSVue, quoted in The Twelve Powers of Man
The image of Jesus enthroned in the center, with the twelve disciples each on their thrones, is symbolic of the Christ nature being enthroned in our own consciousness, with the powers “enthroned” alongside it, fully activated in alignment with divine principle.
Zeal: Simon the Zealot
The Power of Zeal is represented by the disciple Simon the Canaanite — also translated as Simon the Zealot. In Power Up: The Twelve Powers Revisited as Accelerated Abilities, Paul Hasselbeck and Cher Holton define Zeal this way:
“Zeal is the ability to be enthusiastic and passionate, as well as to inspire and motivate oneself.”
In Unity’s Twelve Powers system, each power is also associated with a physical location in the body, reflecting an energetic system similar to the chakras of Eastern traditions. Fillmore wrote:
“Let us think of man as a king having twelve sons or princes, who execute his will. Each of these princes has a throne, or brain and nerve center, from which he issues his orders and distributes his goods… Simon the Zealot from his throne at the medulla imparts especial energy to the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and sensory nervous system.”
Later Unity teachers also associated colors with each of the powers. Zeal was assigned the color orange.
Like all the powers, Zeal functions in us whether directed by the ego or aligned with the Christ nature. When governed by ego, Zeal may be:
- Underdeveloped: listless, unmotivated, uninspired, unable to follow through.
- Overdeveloped: compulsive, reckless, overly ambitious, insincere, or fanatical.
When centered in Higher Consciousness, Zeal empowers us to live with passion, energy, and inspiration — motivated by divine principles rather than fleeting impulses.
Ruth: A Feminine Picture of Zeal
Unity students have long acknowledged the patriarchal nature of scripture, and modern interpreters like Rev. Leddy Hammock have explored the symbolic expression of the Twelve Powers in the lives of women. In her book The Twelve Women of the Chalice, she identifies Ruth as a living picture of Zeal.
Ruth’s story, found in (insert scripture reference), illustrates devotion, energy, and courage. When her husband died, Ruth refused to take the easy road like her sister-in-law Orpah. Instead, she passionately declared loyalty to Naomi and boldly embraced an uncertain future: “Where you go, I will go…”
Ruth’s zeal was not passive. She immediately went to glean in the fields, working with “scarcely a moment’s rest.” She lived with loyalty, courage, and determination. Qualities that drew Boaz’s attention and ultimately secured her role in the lineage of David and Jesus.
Where Tamar embodied zeal through bold defiance, Ruth expressed zeal through enthusiastic devotion, hard work, and faith. Quick to act, humble yet determined, Ruth partnered her zeal with love, making her a clear symbol of this power.
Ebed-Melech: Zeal Beyond the Binary
The gifts of Spirit are not confined to a binary. Scripture includes diverse figures who reveal divine qualities, including eunuchs. One powerful example is Ebed-Melech, a Cushite eunuch serving in the court of King Zedekiah (Jeremiah 38–39).
When the prophet Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern and left to die, most of the king’s officials remained silent. But Ebed-Melech could not ignore injustice. With boldness and compassion, he appealed to the king, secured permission, and quickly organized men, ropes, and rags to lift Jeremiah out of the pit.
God later promised to spare Ebed-Melech’s life during Jerusalem’s destruction, declaring: “I will rescue you… because you trusted in me” (Jeremiah 39:18).
Ebed-Melech embodies Zeal through courage, quick action, and unwavering trust in God. His zeal was not flamboyant but compassionate and decisive, rooted in love and justice. Just as Ruth’s zeal moved her to cling to Naomi and labor in the fields, Ebed-Melech’s zeal moved him to rescue the prophet when others remained passive.
Zeal in Our Lives
Recognizing the Power of Zeal in ancient stories invites us to embody it in our daily lives. Zeal strengthens us against despair and infuses our days with passion and purpose. When we awaken to this power, we find the courage to act with love and the energy to pursue what is ours to do.
Charles Fillmore once declared:
“I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and spring forth with a mighty faith to do that which is mine to do.”
He is said to have spoken these words in his 80s or 90s. A testament to the vitality that comes from consciously engaging the Twelve Powers. May we all sizzle with zeal well into our golden years.
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James Masters (they/them) is a member of Unity Church of Overland Park, where they actively teach classes and participate in community events. They are in the final stages of becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT) and have been deeply engaged in spiritual study since 1999, joining the New Thought movement in 2005.
James is a contributing author for the bestselling anthologies The Courageous Heart, Enduring Wisdom, and The Grateful Soul. They are a personal coach specializing in spiritual and relational development, guiding others toward deeper self-awareness and empowerment.
Beyond their work in spiritual education, James has a strong commitment to social justice and community service. They helped establish an all-genders shelter and regularly volunteer to support those experiencing housing and food insecurity. Their knowledge of technology and unwavering compassion for others make them a valuable force for positive change in their community.
