What does bad zeal look like in the Church?

Bad zeal is characterized by its divisive nature, often working to turn believers away from Christ and towards self-righteousness or division. In Galatians, Paul describes how false teachers were seeking to exclude the believers from the grace of Christ by emphasizing the law and their own authority. This kind of zeal is motivated by pride and a desire for control rather than love and unity. It causes confusion and discouragement among believers as it distracts from the fundamental truths of the Gospel. Recognizing bad zeal allows the Church to stand firm in the truth and maintain focus on the true Gospel of grace.