3 - INTEGRITY OF A LEADER

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1 Developing Servant Leaders Full of the Holy Spirit & Wisdom. 3 - INTEGRITY OF A LEADER Developing the heart and moral compass of the leader. KEY SCRIPTURES 1. Luke 16:10-13 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man s, who will give you what is your own? No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 2. Job 2:3 Then the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause. 3. Titus 1:5-9, 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 3:1-13 DEFINITION 1. The dictionary defines integrity as a firm adherence to a code of moral values, incorruptible, incapable of being bribed or morally corrupted. The Old Testament Hebrew word for integrity means the condition of being without blemish, completeness, perfection, sincerity, soundness, uprightness, wholeness. Integrity in the New Testament means honesty and adherence to good works. Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. 2. Biblical integrity is the result of living with a, desiring to please God in all we think, say, and do. Leadership Development is a Ministry of Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute A Foursquare Church, 9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA info@clcriverside.org Jack & Jane Lankhorst, Pastors Christian Life Center Leadership Development 1

2 Matthew 22:34-40 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. 3. The of integrity produces right behavior. We do not see the roots of a tree. However, we can see whether the roots are healthy by the way the tree looks and bears fruit. Matthew 7:17-18 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. 4. Question: Do you believe that all of our actions spring from the spiritual and moral condition of our heart? What Proverb teaches this? THE INTEGRITY OF JOSEPH There are three people in the Bible who attained high public service positions in a foreign land. All three demonstrated that we can be successful without compromising our faith and integrity. They were Joseph, Daniel and Nehemiah. Here are lessons we can learn from the life of Joseph as seen in Genesis Joseph exhibited faith and total trust in God. (Hebrews 11:6) 2. He had the ability to remain under. 3. Joseph developed a from the very beginning. (Matthew 6:12; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13) 4. Joseph experienced God s faithfulness to His promises. (Joshua 21:45) 5. Joseph continually lived a life of integrity and was not moved by the circumstances he endured. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14) 6. Joseph s years of steadfast reliance on God through great trials and challenges brought about not only the restoration of his family but through his high position in Egypt he was able to save a future nation and his family from starvation. (Genesis 39:2; 50:20) Christian Life Center Leadership Development 2

3 A CLOSER LOOK 1. Joseph was motivated by a from the Lord. A. Genesis 37:5-11 Joseph had a dream His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (Fulfilled in Genesis 42:6-8) B. Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; C. Question: Are you motivated and energized by a God-given vision to accomplish great things for God? Can you state it in simple words? 2. Joseph was in hard places. A. He was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:3, 28). B. He was falsely accused and imprisoned (Genesis 39:19-22). C. In prison he interpreted a dream which freed the King s cupbearer but he, himself, was forgotten in prison (Genesis 40:23). D. Question: How do you think Joseph dealt with disappointment in those times? 3. Joseph resisted and fled temptation, risking his own safety. A. Genesis 39: But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. B. Joseph had a healthy fear of the Lord and been faithful to spiritual growth. C. There are two ways to deal with temptation: resist (James 4:7) or flee (2 Timothy 2:22). Joseph tried to resist Potiphar s wife as much as he could, but the time came when he chose to flee rather than resist her, even at the risk of imprisonment or worse. D. Question: How do you develop spiritual strength so that when temptation comes you are able to rise victoriously above it? 4. Joseph was not polluted by. A. Genesis 39:7-12 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt. B. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. C. Question: How do you think you would respond if asked to do a questionable ( grey area) activity for a substantial sum of money, raise or prestige? Christian Life Center Leadership Development 3

4 5. Through all of that, Joseph did not carry a against his brothers! A. Genesis 50:15-21 But Joseph said to them, Don t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. B. Hebrews 12:14-15 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Bitterness is the Greek word Pikria meaning sharp, piercing, poison, pungent, acidic. Defile means to paint, to contaminate. C. Bitterness conceals an unforgiving spirit or attitude and if concealed will only grow in strength and can become a part of our personality. You cannot see roots but you can see the fruit of a root (tree illustration). (Matthew 7:16-20) If not resolved, Hurt turns to Anger which turns to Bitterness (HAB) and if you don t take care of IT, will turn into a HABIT or a lifestyle of bitterness. D. Cain, in Genesis 4:6-7, was hurt, angry and bitter about God accepting Abel s offering and the result was the first murder! God s Word says to get rid of it like putrefying garbage (Ephesians 4:31-32), let God deal with it and overcome evil with good (Romans 12:18-21). E. Question: How would your leadership in the church be affected if you carried bitterness, unforgiveness or an offense toward others? Note: For more information on understanding and gaining victory over offenses, go to our blog at and click on the article titled, Offenses. THE INTEGRITY OF LEADERSHIP NOTE: First read Titus 1:5-9, 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 3:1-13 before you fill in following the blanks. The following characteristics may not yet be an accurate assessment of your life today. However, as a leader we must pursue these qualities to make them a consistent part of our thinking and life. 1. When others cannot find something to accuse in us. 2. The issue is moral purity, faithful in thought life and action to one s own spouse. This can obviously be applied to both spouses. 3. Self-controlled, sober, balanced and not guided by felshly passion. 4. Serious and earnest about spiritual matters. Christian Life Center Leadership Development 4

5 5. Having an orderly, modest and respectable life-style. 6. Using the home and resources to benefit others. An attitude of generosity. 7. The quality of being teachable and able to teach others without being offensive and argumentative. 8. Mature believers are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and not by drugs or alcohol. As a leader, it is critical in our indulgent culture to take the position of total abstinence. 9. The quality of pleasing others rather than self. Not demanding our own way or living by our own authority. 10. A leader must not have a short fuse or be one who flares up easily and quickly. 11. A leader must not be a fighter but one who is able to control his or her own spirit. 12. A leader must not be someone who destroys the unity of the church because he or she is combative, quarrelsome or struggles against others. 13. Equitable, fair, moderate, forbearing, not insisting on the letter of the law. This is the opposite of being quick tempered and contentious. 14. Free from the A leader is not to use money for status, power or security, not as an end in itself but as a means to accomplish a result. 15. in a Biblical order. 16. Those outside the church view the leader as free from wrongdoing and characterized by doing good. 17. A desire for things that are morally honorable and pleasing to God. 18. The leader deals right and fair with others. 19. A leader has made the decision to turn from the behavior and mindset of sin and lives life in light of Biblical convictions. 20. A leader must not be a newly planted tree which lacks the spiritual root system to ensure stability. Leaders will be tested, challenged, even tempted. Take a moment and do the survey on the next page Christian Life Center Leadership Development 5

6 BIBLICAL ABSOLUTE OR PREFERENCE? Determine whether the activities below fall under Biblical absolutes, a personal conviction or a preference. Remember, A Biblical absolute is a Biblical principle that remains true, no matter what our personal beliefs (Don t kill, etc.). Personal convictions are Biblical principles we determine to follow, no matter what and preference are principles that may change with the circumstance. Answer them with an A for Absolute, C for Conviction or P for Preference. Can you explain your reasons from the Bible? 3. Anti-abortion stand 4. Church attendance 5. Opposition to pornography 6. Refusal to watch television 7. Singing the old hymns 8. Commitment to prayer 9. Provocative dress (men & women) 10. Sunday morning sports events 11. Dancing 12. Smoking 13. Drinking alcohol 14. Listening to secular music 15. Watching R-Rated movies 16. Involved in Halloween activities 17. Driving a luxury car 18. Homosexuality is sin 19. Profit making sales in church 20. Gambling/playing the lottery 21. Working every Sunday 22. The Bible teaches us to tithe 23. Witnessing/sharing the Gospel 24. Speaking in tongues Christian Life Center Leadership Development 6

7 THE KEY To have a heart of integrity is undoubtedly one of the most important characteristics of a leader who will endure to the end in victory. This is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit (open and teachable at each crossroad or challenge). 2. Integrity must become a lifestyle, the steering wheel and not the spare tire in case of emergency. If we don t develop a right heart now, we will not have it later as God leads us into more responsibility. HOW TO LEAD WITH INTEGRITY 1. First. A. Is your life characterized by solid Biblical convictions that can not be compromised? If we are indecisive about a Biblical conviction it will only be a matter of time before the enemy provided us with an opportunity to compromise our values. B. Be vigilant with your own thought life as stated in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6...the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. C. Develop a regular habit of spiritual inventory. You can use the Personal Cleansing & Revival section of Discipleship Development, lesson 4 by going to our Discipleship blog at and click the DD tab. 2. for people who are under your care and responsibility. Openly communicate and model those values. 3. Deal with mistakes but do so with a attitude and look for true repentance and change. Remember, mistakes or failures are not fatal. However, you must involve the Sr. Pastors for serious violations. 4. Learn from the mistakes and failures of other leaders who may have compromised their integrity. 5. Always celebrate other people s accomplishments. Be their cheerleader by doing the things below Expect the best from people you lead. Establish high standards for excellence. Create an environment where failure is not fatal. Help them accomplish their goals. Recognize and applaud achievement. Develop an allowance for storms. Affirm, then correct. Appeal sparingly to the competitive urge. Place a premium on team work. Christian Life Center Leadership Development 7

8 GREAT LEADERSHIP QUOTES ON INTEGRITY 1. Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting in a particular way. Aristotle 2. Don t measure your neighbor s honesty by your own. American Proverb 3. If you tell the truth you don t have to remember anything. Mark Twain 4. In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don t have the first, the other two will kill you. Warren Buffet 5. Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man s character, give him power. Abraham Lincoln 6. A great man is always willing to be little. Ralph Waldo Emerson 7. It takes less time to do a thing right than to explain why you did it wrong. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 8. Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. Mark Twain 9. The time you spend alone with God will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then your integrity and Godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord. Charles Staney 10. You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. Exodus 23:2 Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 Christian Life Center Leadership Development 8

9 LESSON 2 - ANSWERS 2. God focus 3. root system 2. difficult circumstances 3. forgiving spirit 1. revelation 2. faithful 4. sudden wealth 5. bitter spirit 1. Blameless 2. Faithful to one spouse 3. Temperate 4. Sober minded 5. Good behavior 6. Given to hospitality 7. Able to teach 8. Not given to wine 9. Not self-willed 10. Not quick tempered 11. Not quick to argue 12. Not contentious 13. Gentle 14. love of money 15. Manages household 16. A good reputation 17. Loves what is good 18. Just 19. Holy 20. Not a novice examine your own life Create a standard redemptive Christian Life Center Leadership Development 9

10 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT Developing Servant Leaders Full of the Holy Spirit & Wisdom. WEEKLY TIME SHEET & JOURNAL...redeeming the time... Ephesians 5:16 Name Date My accountability partners are Check each box as you do the activity for that day. ACTIVITIES SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI Daily Devotions Prayer, Bible reading & journal Scripture Memorization Lesson Book Spiritual Leadership Accountability & Mentoring Sunday AM & Wednesday PM Services Volunteer Service Explain below Volunteer Service Memory Verse Journal Continued on the back Christian Life Center Leadership Development 10