Flipping Tables: The Power of Zeal
We have reached the final quarter of our journey exploring twelve spiritual attributes of power that we can align with to live more empowered lives. This month we focus on the Power of Zeal.
In Divine Audacity, Rev. Linda Martella-Whitsett defines Zeal this way:
“Zeal is enthusiasm. It is our eagerness for life, our interest in and optimism about our intentions and our plans.”
In our modern world, this inner attribute is especially important. Within the queer community, activating zeal becomes a safeguard against despair and a source of motivation for positive action.
Zeal in the Life of Jesus
Zeal can manifest in many ways from personal motivation to collective activism. We see this clearly in the life of Jesus. His zeal is described in the story of cleansing the temple:
“His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’”
~ John 2:17, NRSVue
This event took place in the Court of the Gentiles, the only part of the temple accessible to non-Jews. It was intended to be a sacred space for worship and prayer, but the noise of sellers and money changers turned it into a marketplace. Jesus’ action was not simply about anger. It was about restoring accessibility to God’s presence for everyone, including outsiders. He declared:
“It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations,’ but you are making it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:13, NRSVue
Here we see zeal as a passion for justice, inclusivity, and authentic worship.
The Inner Meaning of the Story
Christian mystic Charles Fillmore interpreted this act allegorically:
“In this act Jesus was casting the commercial bargaining thoughts out of His body temple.” ~ Charles Fillmore, The Twelve Powers of Man
Fillmore’s interpretation of the money changers as “commercial thoughts” invites us to consider what their modern equivalents might be in our own lives. These could be things like consumerism, the relentless drive for more, the tendency to tie our worth to productivity, or the fear of scarcity that drives so much of our culture. These are the noisy, bargaining thoughts that crowd the temple of our inner being and keep us from resting in God’s peace.
In practical Christianity, turning over the tables means taking an honest look at what fills our consciousness and asking: What am I allowing to occupy the sacred space of my mind and heart? It may mean stepping away from the constant measuring of success by money or achievement. It may look like choosing rest when everything in the culture tells us to hustle harder. It may be practicing generosity instead of hoarding, or choosing to see ourselves as beloved children of God rather than as commodities valued only for what we produce.
The story illustrates a shift in consciousness. Asking:
- Are we motivated by security and stability rooted in externals?
- Or are we motivated by spiritual principle and divine truth?
Zeal is the quality that motivates us into action. But to activate spiritual zeal, our thoughts and identity must be aligned in faith.
Zeal & Two Masters
Jesus reminds us of this alignment in Matthew 6:
“No one can serve two masters, for a slave will either hate the one and love the other or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
~ Matthew 6:24, NRSVue
When our zeal is driven by lack, the grind, the fear of not having enough, the constant focus on the next paycheck, we are distracted from hearing the guidance of Spirit. Likewise, when our zeal is consumed by excess, striving for wealth and possessions, we lose focus on divine abundance expressed through spiritual principles.
Jesus offers the remedy in Matthew 6:25–34: release worry, trust God as our source, and focus our attention on the kingdom of heaven within. Each time we pause to pray instead of worrying, each time we shift our attention from fear to trust, each time we affirm God as our true source of abundance. We are, in essence, turning over the tables in our own inner temple. This clears the space for zeal to rise within us, not as frantic striving, but as focused, Spirit-led energy that motivates us toward love, justice, and joy.
Similarly, in the story of the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17–22), Jesus was not condemning possessions themselves but warning against being possessed by possessions. The man’s wealth had become his source of stability, distracting him from following Spirit’s call.
True zeal is awakened when we shift our motivation from fear or greed to divine trust and guidance.
Zeal Guided by Wisdom
The “money changers” can represent noisy, chaotic thoughts that keep us from the peace of God. Zeal must be tempered with wisdom so that our motivation is not driven by ego but aligned with Spirit.
Fillmore explained the link between zeal and genius:
“Extraordinary zeal in the accomplishment of some ideal develops what is called genius. Jesus of Nazareth was undoubtedly the greatest genius that this earth has ever developed. He is not usually named among the geniuses of the earth, because He was a genius of such transcendental character that He is classed with the gods.” ~ Charles Fillmore, The Twelve Powers of Man
When zeal is guided by wisdom and grounded in Spirit, it awakens the genius within us enabling us to embody love, justice, peace, and joy in action.
Practicing Zeal
The Christian life is a practice. We align our minds with Christ through prayer, reflection, and conscious choice. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are called to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
This means paying attention to what motivates us and ensuring that zeal is directed by wisdom and Spirit, not fear or greed. When we clear the “money changers” from our inner temple, zeal becomes a holy fire that energizes our path, sustains our faith, and fuels our commitment to God’s love.
About Folx with Faith
At Folx with Faith, we celebrate the diverse ways people embody spiritual zeal and other divine attributes. Our mission is to create safe, affirming spaces where queer people can explore spirituality, heal from religious harm, and live as authentic expressions of divine love. Through courses, blogs, community gatherings, and local chapters, we empower people to engage their spiritual powers, like zeal, to transform their lives and their communities.
How You Can Support Our Mission?
You can help us fulfill our mission by donating to Folx with Faith or starting a local group. It is our mission to create safe spaces to explore and experience spiritual wholeness. Folx with Faith supports the queer community, fostering a celebration of our authentic beings and empowering us to make a difference in the world. If you would like to contribute to this mission or would like to start a local chapter, please let us know. You can contact us or use the links below.
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References & Additional Resources for The Power of Understanding
- About the Author
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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.
