Each of us has a passion for something. A team, a hobby, a cause. Nothing wrong with zeal. Nothing wrong with inviting others to share in it. But zeal taken too far can turn adoring fans into angry fanatics.
There is a line between biases and virtues. They are not the same. Biases are a point of view. Vanilla or chocolate. Virtues are moral character. Integrity. Right and wrong. Good and evil.
Any time virtue is ascribed to a bias, that bias becomes a stumbling block to anyone who does not already share the point of view. Trash-talking those with a different perspective is not kind. Not gracious. Not gentle. Not respectful.
When believers carry themselves that way, their effectiveness in sharing the good news is compromised. There is another way. A better way.
Can a believer be an effective influence and still honor God’s Word? Yes. Can a believer have integrity and still be an effective influence? Also yes. It is not one or the other. It is both.
Faith in a Faction, a Law or a Leader Won’t Give Us Standing with God
In Jesus’ time, the Jews of Palestine had many factions. The Sadducees were aristocratic priestly families who oversaw the temple. The Pharisees emphasized teaching, oral tradition, and purity laws. The Essenes isolated themselves from what they saw as corruption. And the Zealots advocated violent revolt against Rome.
Each had their own trouble with integrity and influence. With virtue and persuasion. With zeal and grace.
Saul of Tarsus was once a Pharisee, and his zeal was misdirected.
“I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.”
Paul bore witness that the people of Israel had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” They sought to establish their own righteousness and did not submit to God’s.
Zeal does not make us pure. It does not impute integrity. No faction, no political party, no earthly leader can claim a corner on virtue. God plays no favorites. Righteousness is found in Christ alone.
Even Paul, with all his credentials (“circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews”), counted it all as loss for the sake of Christ. He counted it as rubbish, in order to gain Christ and be found in him. Not having a righteousness of his own from the law, but one that comes through faith.
Put faith in Christ and him alone. His righteousness will be imputed, regardless of politics. The Kingdom of the Lord transcends every tribe and nation. Christ is King of all.
You can have zeal. You can have passion. You can have preferences. But hold onto them loosely. And allow God to work through you to reach anyone he puts in your path.
Discussion
- Where does your zeal for something (a cause, a candidate, a position) risk becoming a stumbling block to someone who does not share your view?
- What does it look like to hold convictions firmly while holding preferences loosely?
Key Takeaways
- Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. Paul himself was once zealously wrong. Passion apart from Christ’s righteousness can do real harm.
- No faction owns virtue. Left or right, no political camp can claim God’s endorsement. Righteousness is found in Christ alone.
- Count the rest as loss. Paul traded every credential for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. That is the model.
Temper Your Zeal with Grace and Be Polite Toward Everyone
“He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.”
If you want to be in the company of kings, Scripture says you need a pure heart and gracious speech.
Twice James uses the phrase “selfish ambition.” Fighting for my interests. Where selfish ambition exists, there is falsehood, disorder, and every vile practice.
On the other hand, the hallmarks of wisdom: purity, peace, gentleness, reason, mercy, impartiality. In a word: temperance.
James finishes by saying a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace. Not in strife. It is sown by those who make peace.
“Let love be genuine. Bless those who persecute you. Live peaceably with all. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Paul then moves into Romans 13: be subject to the governing authorities. No matter who is in the White House, the State House, or the courthouse, we are subject to the authorities over us. God has placed them there, whether or not they are the favorite candidate.
“Speak evil of no one. Avoid quarreling. Be gentle. Show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
No one. All people. Not just those within your camp.
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
If you want to be an effective witness to outsiders, always be gracious. Season your speech with salt so God can use it.
Discussion
- Think about someone you disagree with politically or culturally. What would it look like to show them “perfect courtesy”?
- When have you seen gracious speech open a door that an argument could not?
Key Takeaways
- Wisdom looks like temperance. Purity, peace, gentleness, reason, mercy. These are the hallmarks, not volume or certainty.
- Righteousness is sown in peace. Want a harvest? Make peace. Not war. Not strife. Peace.
- Season your speech with salt. Gracious words, always. Not sometimes. Always.
Influence Others with Your Reasonableness and Integrity
Jesus wants believers to be a light to the world. He does not want them hidden like the Essenes, who lived secluded lives. He wants them to shine before others. To season the earth. To influence. That is why they are here. But it has to be done right.
“You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
“The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
“Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Peter says we influence others by being reasonable, gentle, respectful.
“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.”
Have a reputation for being reasonable. To everyone. Not just those who already agree.
Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (ESV)
Paul became all things to all people. To the Jews, he became as a Jew. To those outside the law, as one outside the law. To the weak, he became weak. “I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”
Remember why we are here. To make disciples of all nations. Every tribe. Every tongue. Every camp. Every place.
Discussion
- What would it look like for people outside the church to describe you as “reasonable”?
- How does Paul’s example of becoming “all things to all people” challenge the way you engage with those different from you?
Key Takeaways
- Salt and light, not noise and heat. Influence is about shining, not shouting. Seasoning, not smothering.
- Reasonableness is a witness. Philippians 4:5 says let your reasonableness be known to everyone. That reputation matters for the gospel.
- For the sake of the gospel. Paul adapted to reach people. Not to compromise truth, but to remove every unnecessary barrier between a person and Christ.
Something to Sit With
Influence and integrity are not at odds. They are meant to work together.
Faith in a faction will not give standing with God. Zeal without grace is a stumbling block. But reasonableness, gracious speech, and a pure heart open doors that arguments never will.
Be salt. Be light. Let your reasonableness be known. For the sake of the gospel.
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6, ESV)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bible say Christians should avoid politics?
The Bible does not forbid political engagement. Romans 13 calls believers to be subject to governing authorities. But Scripture warns against placing ultimate hope in any political leader, party, or system. Righteousness comes from Christ, not a platform. Believers should engage with grace, not with the assumption that their faction owns virtue.
What does “seasoned with salt” mean in Colossians 4:6?
Salt was a preservative and a flavor enhancer in the ancient world. When Paul says to season speech with salt, he means to make words useful, persuasive, and life-giving. Not bland. Not abrasive. Flavorful in a way that invites people toward truth.
How do I share my faith without being pushy?
1 Peter 3:15 gives the model: be prepared to explain the hope you have, but do it with gentleness and respect. Influence comes through character, reputation, and relationship, not pressure or volume. Let reasonableness be the calling card.
What is the difference between zeal and fanaticism?
Zeal is passionate devotion. Fanaticism is zeal untethered from wisdom and grace. Romans 10:2 describes Israel’s zeal as “not according to knowledge.” When passion overrides love, gentleness, and truth, it becomes a stumbling block rather than a bridge.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway.