Transforming Your Temperament: Bridges and Stumbling Blocks

As we wrap up this study on temperaments, let's take a look at some of the bridges and blocks we encounter along our Christian journey. Temperaments, though they are something we are born with, don't have to be roadblocks in our life. In fact, our awareness of our shortcomings and strengths should motivate us to "be all we can be" in the body of believers.

God's Word is life changing.

2 Corinthians 5:17- We are a new creature.

Psalm 119:130- We are given new light.

God's Will is life changing.

Ephesians 2:10. God has a purpose for us- to serve Christ.

Romans 12:1-2. God has a plan for us- to conform to Christ.

1 Peter 2:21. God has a pattern for us- to walk like Christ.

Philippians 2:5. God has a plea for us- to think like Christ.

Summary: God want us to exchange our old life for His new life. God wants us to exchange our own will for His perfect will. We should live a new life in the light, while following, serving, and conforming to Christ.

Bridges- (What should be in our lives.)

There should be fruit. John 15:5

1. A joyful, thankful heart. Ephesians 5:18-21

2. A submissive spirit. Colossians 3:16-18

3. A power to witness. Acts 1:8

4. A desire to glorify Christ. John 16:13-14

There should be obedience. Ephesians 5:18

1. Being filled means: self-examination. 1 Corinthians 11:28

2. Being filled means: confession. 1 John 1:9

3. Being filled means: submission. Romans 6:11-13

4. Being filled means: desire. Luke 11:13

5. Being filled means: faith. Romans 14:23

6. Being filled means: walk. Galatians 5:16-23

Blocks- (What shouldn't be in our lives.)

Anger- Anger distresses the Holy Spirit and it is universal. Sanguine and Choleric temperaments tend to be angry. The trouble with anger is it may put a person under the bondage of sin. Anger also carries a high price for those who carry it.

Other faces of anger:

1. Bitterness

2. Intolerance

3. Hatred

4. Gossip

5. Unforgiving spirit

6. Sarcasm

7. Wrath

8. Malice

9. Envy

10. Resentment

11. Criticism

12. Jealousy

13. Revenge

14. Attack

15. Sedition

16. Clamor

Emotional cost- An angry person doesn't act right or make right decisions. Anger tends to be harmful, wasteful, and embarrassing. Anger produces stress hormones. You become fatigued more. Work you use to enjoy becomes drudgery.

Social cost- An angry person isn't pleasant to be around. Grumpy, disgruntled, and not content.

Physical cost- Headaches, stomachaches, high blood pressure, ulcers.

Spiritual cost- The Lord will not be able to use an angry person who is out of control.

Fear- Fear quenches the work of the Holy Spirit. (Quenching by definition stifles or limits.) Melancholy and Phlegmatic temperaments tend to be fearful. We should be able to rejoice in all situations and circumstances. Fear first appeared in the garden with Adam & Eve. Disobedience causes fear. Lack of faith causes fear, but God's people don't need to fear. Matthew 24:6.

The other faces of Fear:

1. Anxiety

2. Doubts

3. Worry

4. Timidity

5. Indecision

6. Cowardice

7. Inferiority

8. Suspicion

9. Hesitancy

10. Superstition

11. Withdrawal Depression

12. Loneliness

13. Haughtiness

14. Over-aggression

15. Social shyness

Emotional cost- May result in mental collapse or withdrawal.

Social cost- A fearful person is no fun to be around. May be pessimistic and complaining.

Physical cost- Result in illnesses which some have said amount to over 51 different types.

Spiritual cost- Similar to the cost of an angry temperament. We are limited in serving God and can become thankless, complaining, defeated Christians. Fear keeps us from believing God. Hebrews 11:6.

8 Causes of Fear-

1. Temperament traits.

2. Childhood experiences. For example: parents can be overly protective or overly dominating.

3. A traumatic experience.

4. A negative thinking pattern. (I can't, I can't)

5. Anger.

6. Sin. 1 John 3:21

7. Lack of faith- either concerning the past or the future.

8. Selfishness- the basic cause.

It's easy just to look at all of this and repeat the words..."in all things, give thanks." But what does it really mean? Sandi Patty gave a wonderful example of giving thanks in one of her concerts: She said that as she was learning this lesson, she was sitting on a plane listening to a child screaming. We all know how annoying this is! But God laid on her heart to give thanks...for that?! So she looked at it this way, she gave thanks that she had ears to hear, that her hearing wasn't impaired. What a wonderful change in thinking patterns! Even in the hardest times, my grandfather's death for example, I could give thanks for his life and how he touched mine...that I was able to know him and love him.

It's a difficult change in thinking patterns, but for us "new creatures" in Christ, that should be a goal to strive for.

Wrap Up Questions:

1. What are some of the strengths you have based on your temperament?
2. What are some of the weaknesses?
3. Which do you find that you tend more toward, anger or fear?
4. What can you do (with God's strength) to change these habits or patterns?

I want to thank you taking time to review this study. I hope it's been helpful to you in your Christian walk. God bless & my prayers go with you!