Truth Hurts

"Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you." (Galatians 4:16-18, NIV)

Paul was telling them the truth. He was afraid that they would consider him their enemy because of this. This is a common human failing. We often think badly of those who tell us the truth when we do not want to hear it. It is too easy to become defensive when someone criticizes us even if the criticism is valid.

The Judiazers were zealous in seeking the favor of the Galatians. But it was not for a good purpose. They wanted to shut them out (that is what exclude or alienate means) from the freedom of Christ and the true way of salvation. They wanted to bar the doors of the abundant Christian life and prevent the Galatians from entering.

Their goal was not to help the Galatians but to build up a following. They did not care if they were zealous for God or for truth. They wanted the Galatians to be zealous for them. Beware of the person who is seeking to build a reputation. Beware of the person who loves the praise of man.

Paul wishes that these believers were zealous for good even when he was not with them. It would be great if we were zealous for good always regardless of in whose presence we are.