Influence with Integrity

Each of us has a passion for something, don’t we.

Our passion may be a hobby or field of study.

Our passion may be a team or a group we have a connection to.

There is nothing wrong with zeal or being a fan. And even more, there’s nothing wrong with inviting others to share in your zeal. But zeal taken too far can turn us from adoring fans into angry fanatics.

We all have biases.

We can all cheer for what we prefer …whether it’s a team or a local church or a political party.

But we need to draw a clear line between our biases and our virtues.

These aren’t the same. Our biases are a point of view. Vanilla or chocolate.

Our virtues are moral character. Integrity. Right and wrong. Good and evil.

Any time we ascribe virtue (integrity) to a bias we hold, that bias becomes a stumbling block to anyone who doesn’t already share your point of view.

Trash-talking those with a different point of view isn’t kind. It isn’t gracious. It isn’t gentle. It isn’t respectful.

When we carry ourselves like this, how can we influence anyone outside of our group? How can we persuade a neighbor, a colleague, or a family member who doesn’t share our bias?

When we do this, our effectiveness in sharing the good news and inviting others to follow Jesus is compromised. There is another way. A better way.

I want to explore the tension between integrity and influence. Between virtue and persuasion. God expects both from us.

Can I be an effective influence and still honor God’s Word? Yes!

Can I have integrity and still be an effective influence? Also yes!

It’s not one or the other. It’s both!

In Jesus’ time, the Jews of Palestine had many factions.

The Sadducees were aristocratic priestly families that oversaw the temple and the Sanhedrin (court). They accepted only the books of Moses. They emphasized rituals and rejected beliefs in angels, spirits and the resurrection. They were also friendly with Romans to maintain power.

The Pharisees did believe in angels, spirits and the resurrection. They emphasized teaching, oral tradition and purity laws. They had authority over the synagogues and local religious life; and as such, had more influence over the common people. They were protectors of Jewish culture vs the world.

The Essenes lived in isolated communities and separated themselves from what they saw as the corrupt religious establishment in Jerusalem. They were not directly involved in politics (or people for that matter). They were too preoccupied preparing for the imminent end of the world.

And the Zealots were fiercely nationalistic. They opposed Roman rule, and believed in the use of violence when necessary to achieve political ends. They advocated for revolt, the immediate overthrow of Roman authority; and were considered radicals, rebels, revolutionaries.

One of the twelve apostles was a former zealot, Simon the Zealot. Which is interesting, because Matthew was a former tax collector who had worked in the service of Rome. And yet both were invited to serve among the twelve. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were Sadducees. Imagine that. We can find all kinds in the church.

Each of these four Jewish factions had their own trouble with integrity and influence. With virtue and persuasion. With zeal and grace.

Saul of Tarsus (Paul) was once a Pharisee, and his zeal was misdirected:

Galatians 1:13-16 (ESV)

13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 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. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles…

Now that’s some misguided religious zeal. Before he became the Apostle Paul, he was such a zealous Pharisee that he tried to destroy the church.

Romans 10:1-4 (ESV)

1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they (the people of Israel) may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

This brings me to my first point:

Faith in a faction, a law or a leader won’t give us standing with God

Rom 10:3 says they sought to establish their own righteousness, and did not submit to God’s. Because if they had, they would have let go of their own.

Our zeal doesn’t make us pure. It doesn’t impute integrity to us.

You may have a favorite candidate. Nothing wrong with that. But your zeal for one side or another won’t earn you more of God’s grace. I heard it said by pastor Matt Chandler, who was quoting the scholar N.T. Wright, that “the left wants the kingdom without the king; and the right wants a king without the kingdom.”

Left or right. Neither can claim a corner on virtue. Both have their issues. God plays no favorites. No matter who is in the White House, or the State House, or the courts, or the Congress. Righteousness/virtue is found in Christ alone.

Turn in your Bibles to Philippians 3. Even Paul said:

Philippians 3:3-10 (ESV)

3b…put no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith, 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…

Put your faith in Christ and Him alone.

And His righteousness will be imputed to you, regardless of your politics.

He suffered for the sins of the whole world. Not just one tribe/nation.

The Kingdom of Our Lord transcends every tribe/nation. Christ is King of all.

So put no confidence in the flesh. Let your confidence be in Him. And, like Paul, count the rest as loss. Count it as rubbish.

You can have zeal. You can have passion. You can have preferences and biases. But hold onto them loosely. And allow God to work through you to reach anyone He puts in your path. Samaritan, Greek, Roman or otherwise.

So faith in a faction, a law or a leader won’t give us standing with God.

Which brings me to my second point:

Discussion

1. Our biases are a point of view. Our virtues are moral character. Where have you seen the two get confused?
2. Romans 10:2 says they had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” What does zeal without knowledge look like today?
3. Paul counted his credentials as rubbish. What would it cost you to hold your own loosely?

Temper your zeal with grace and be polite toward everyone

Proverbs 22:11 (ESV)

11 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 we need to have pure hearts and gracious speech.

Even as young captives, Daniel and his friends learned this principle and became advisors to the king of Babylon. Were they themselves Babylonian? Or Medo-Persian? No. But with each new ruler, they remained faithful to God, meek, full of wisdom, and polite toward everyone in the king’s court.

James 3:13-18 (ESV)

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Amazing words. Twice in this passage he uses the phrase “selfish ambition”. Fighting for my interests. James says where selfish ambition exists, there is falsehood, and disorder and every vile practice.

On the other hand, we see here the hallmarks of wisdom: purity, peace, gentleness, reason, mercy, impartiality. In a word: temperance.

And James finishes by saying, if you want a bountiful harvest of righteousness: well that, my friends, is sown in peace. Not in strife. It is sown in peace (by who?)… by those who make peace. So go and make peace.

Temper your zeal with grace.

Turn to Romans 12:9 - 13:7 (ESV)

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Chapter 13, Submission to the Authorities (don’t read, just reference)

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities… For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

No matter who’s in the White House, the State House, or the court house: we are subject to the authorities over us. God has placed them there, whether or not they are your favorite candidate. So get over it. Remember why we are here. It is not to establish an earthly kingdom. We are here to reach others with the good news. So watch your tongue, and leave the rest to God.

Now turn over to Titus 2:11 - 3:11 (ESV)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Chapter 3

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Why quarrel? Why engage in foolish conspiracy talk? Paul says that all this dissension and quarrels about the law are useless and warped. When we do this, we’re not advancing God’s kingdom.

Look at Ch 3:2. Speak evil of no one. No one. Be gentle and show perfect courtesy toward who? Toward all people. Not just those within your camp.

Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV)

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious (winsome), 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.

I love how Luke describes the way Jesus spoke in the synagogue.

Luke 4:16-22 (ESV)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.

Faith in a faction, a law or a leader won’t give us standing with God.

Temper your zeal with grace and be polite toward everyone

Discussion

1. James says the wisdom from above is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy.” Which of those is hardest for you when you disagree with someone?
2. “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” Where are you being asked to make peace right now?
3. Titus 3:2 says speak evil of no one, and show perfect courtesy toward all people. Who is the person that word lands on for you?

Influence others with your reasonableness and integrity

While Jesus ascended, we were left here on earth. The Holy Spirit descended to give us power to bring the good news to all people. We are here to be an influence, and to invite others to follow Christ.

There are a lot of people who want to be influencers, especially on social media. They seek followers. They might be funny, or clever, or accomplished. They might be gifted or good looking or just plain ridiculous. But they measure their influence by the number of followers.

Having followers is not a bad thing. In fact, it’s a very good thing. Jesus had followers. And we want more to follow Him. But how you gain followers, and for what purpose, matters a great deal to God.

I promise this is the last scripture I’ll have you turn to.

Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus wants us to be a light to the world. He doesn’t want us to be hidden like the Essenes, who lived secluded lives. He wants us to shine before others. He wants us to season the earth. He wants us to influence others. It’s why we are here. But we’ve got to do it right.

Proverbs 16:23-24 (ESV)

23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

With words that are sweet like honey.

1 Peter 3:15-16

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, 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, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Peter says we influence others by being reasonable, gentle, respectful.

Titus 2:7-8 (ESV)

7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

Paul says we influence others by being a model of good works, demonstrating integrity and dignity. And I love how he says:

Philippians 4:5 (ESV)

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.

Have a reputation for being reasonable. Reasonable to who? To everyone.

2 Corinthians 8:21 (ESV)

21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but the also in the sight of man.

Have a reputation for being honorable. Honorable in plain sight. Why?

Why even worry what others think of us?

We do it, Paul says, for the sake of the gospel…

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (ESV)

19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

Remember why we’re here. We do all this to make disciples of all nations (Mat 28:19). Every tribe. Every tongue. Every camp. Every place we go.

May God make us an influence to win others wherever we find ourselves.

Discussion

1. Influencers measure their reach by the number of followers. How does Jesus measure influence differently?
2. “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” What would the people who disagree with you say about your reasonableness?
3. Paul became all things to all people for the sake of the gospel. What is one barrier between you and someone far from Christ that is yours to remove, not theirs?

Something to Sit With

So in summary:

• Faith in a faction, a law or a leader won’t give us standing with God.
• Temper your zeal with grace and be polite toward everyone
• Influence others with your reasonableness and integrity

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.