Author Darlene J. Conard

“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”  Romans 10:2-3 KJV

When Nineveh repented, Jonah threw a temper tantrum. He tried running from God, getting himself into a huge mess! “They are wicked!” he complained to God. His answer, with an attitude, says it all. Jonah thought he knew more than God. Something isn’t right if a Christian gets angry over a great revival! There is no compassion.

Let us not forget that we were once standing in judgment until we took that step towards repentance. Jesus said, and still His word stands,” I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:12 NIV). Since the angels are rejoicing, why shouldn’t we join them?

Throughout my life, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experiences. As a Christian, one of the most valuable lessons I learned was from observing the conduct of my grandmother and other respected elders who were deeply devoted to their faith. Their exemplary behavior served as a profound source of inspiration for me.

I’ve witnessed judgmental viewpoints over clothing, ballgames, and the “Do not hang around others that don’t believe the same way” attitude.” I started to become something that made me uncomfortable. God dealt with me through dreams and the scriptures.

It’s crucial to maintain our integrity, as our actions can undermine our witness. I don’t want anyone, especially those who are struggling with faith, to think, “If this is what living for God is like, then I don’t want any part of it!” I understand that feeling; I’ve been there myself. Legalism has no place in the church.

I read a quote that says, “The only one who could throw a stone didn’t.”

Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites for a reason.

The term “hypocrite” originated in ancient Greek theater, where it was used to describe actors. The word is derived from two Greek words, and when translated, it means “an interpreter from underneath.” This indicates a deeper meaning of portraying a character and interpreting their role from within. I’ve encountered Christians who refuse to believe they are wrong. They can’t take correction, but they can give it.  Headstrong, they continue on their way.

On numerous occasions, I have encountered individuals in leadership roles who have asserted that God had revealed false things. It was their assumption.

One summer, the Lord blessed me by allowing me to attend a leadership conference. The night we were headed home, God told me I needed to cut this person off. It was the hardest thing! I didn’t have to question that it was from God. He said, “Darlene, you need to obey. Not everything I asked you to do is going to be easy.” That night, I dreamt that when I cut this person off, they were kicking, screaming, and crying because they weren’t getting their way. I wrote the letter as God told me to, made a copy, and sent it. I got a letter of apology in the mail, but then this person changed their mind, saying God told them to cut me off completely. It was mean and nasty. This individual talked more than they listened. Because of this, the conversation was completely twisted! It was nothing like I said! This person has a problem believing they know everything and cannot be taught anything new! Please be cautious! I saw the warning signs but got hurt because of my carelessness in not harming others. Listen to God when He warns you of this type of person!

The Bible teaches us to evaluate people’s actions according to His word. I have encountered leaders who claimed that God had revealed things about me that were not true, but they refused to accept the reality.

One of my intercessors taught me to be aware of anger and judgment by referring to it as righteous anger or judgment. Is it anger Jesus expressed in the temple where doves, oxen, and sheep were being sold in the house of God? (Matthew 21:12-17; Mark 11:15-19; Luke 19:45-48) Are you judging situations according to the word of God? If God is saying something is not right, then it’s not.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. (John 4:24) Appearance is not physical alone. We can’t believe everything we see, hear, and think. Before my conversion, I appeared happy on the outside, but on the inside, my soul screamed for help. God revealed the truth to my grandmother through visions and dreams. Nothing could be hidden from her, but she prayed. She could have easily said, “I don’t see a change. No, she didn’t rely on the physical things! 

Sometimes, people become so enthusiastic about their thoughts and ideas that they mistake them for God’s voice. They make hasty judgments and refuse to reconsider them. I have witnessed them cutting off people simply because their ideas did not coincide. God is kind and merciful, and He does not condemn anyone.

“Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself?” Ecclesiastes 7:16 KJV

At first, I didn’t understand Romans 10:2-3, “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

The word zeal in this verse means, in the Greek translation, zḗlos (an onomatopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from the heat and perhaps derived from zéō, “to boil) – properly, burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, “boiling from heat,” (figuratively) something very fervent (“red-hot”) as with Spirit-fueled zeal to serve the Lord. We can get ahead of the Holy Ghost. It is possible to be overly confident! Not only that, but the power of God is unlike anything this world has to offer! We are flesh. At the beginning of my baby steps, I had to enquire the Lord about this. He replied, “Darlene, it’s easy to get out of My Spirit and into the flesh.” I understood! We must think before we act or speak and, most of all, use discernment. Jesus says, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29 KJV)

The ES Version of Galatians 5:25 is, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Keep in synchrony with His counsel. If we don’t, we will establish self-righteousness.   Isaiah 64:6, But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (KJV)

We also must be careful to fear self-righteousness; then, we don’t do anything!

The Pharisees believed they were privileged since Abraham was their father. Abraham acknowledged God’s righteousness. (Matthew 3:9)

Salvation and righteousness are through one name only: Jesus Christ.

 [DC1]Strong’s Greek: 5273. ὑποκριτής (hupokrités) — one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite (biblehub.com)

 [DC2]Strong’s Greek: 2205. ζῆλος (zelos) — eagerness, zeal, rivalry (biblehub.com)

Feel free to forward it to anyone you wish.  My mission is to encourage everyone to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. ©Darlene J. Conard Vision Ministries 2024.   This may not be republished or used without the author’s written consent. The photograph is AI-generated. Darlene J. Conard is also affiliated with Glory Carrier Ministries.

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