Transforming Your Temperament: A Study in Personalities

We hear a lot in today's society about therapy and trying to discover our "true" selves. But how does this figure into a Christian's life? How can we be individuals but all fit together as believers to do the work of the church? I strongly believe that God gave each one of us a unique and wonderful personality that allows us to serve Him in a special way. We are all different but it is the differences that compliment one another and help us to fit, not unlike puzzle pieces, to form the body of believers.

This is what I would like to explore in a several part series: Temperaments & Personality. We will also explore examples in Scripture, find the roadblocks to our success and how to overcome them. I hope this will be insightful and helpful for you in your Christian walk. This study is based, in part, on a Bible study that a dear pastor friend of mine, Frank Hayward, wrote and taught. This study was called 20/20 Vision and I later adapted the study for my own use, with his permission.

**Disclaimer** I know many Christians are uncomfortable with the personality/ temperament testing or psycho-analysis. Some believe it is an excuse for us to not follow God's commands/ will. (Ex.: "I can't do this or change that because it's just my personality.") I personally find temperament studies to be motivating. It helps me to understand where my strengths/weaknesses lie and, how, through God's great love and wisdom, I can change to better serve Him.

Basic Overview of the Temperaments

SANGUINE- Warm, buoyant, lively and enjoys life. Feelings dominate his decisions. Enjoys people and is never at a loss for words. Makes friends easily. (Extrovert)

CHOLERIC- Hot, quick, active, practical, and strong-willed. Self-sufficient and very independent. Is decisive and opinionated. Often succeeds where others fail. (Extrovert)

MELANCHOLIC: Richest of all the temperaments. He/she is analytical, self-sacrificing, gifted, perfectionist, and very sensitive. By nature an introvert, but shows a variety of moods. (Introvert)

PHLEGMATIC: Calm, cool, slow, and easy going. Doesn't get upset easily, has a very high boiling point. Enjoys people. Tends to be a spectator watching others. Has a good retentive mind. (Introvert)

Simple Temperament Test

There are many different personality/temperament tests. I take my information primarily from the Tim LaHaye books. He finds there are four basic temperaments: sanguine, choleric, melancholic, and phlegmatic. He also goes further in the study to determine that we don't all have just one temperament. There are variants and one person may have certain percentages or some or all of the temperaments. (For example, someone may test at 60% choleric, 35% sanguine and 5% phlegmatic.) But for the purposes of this study, I plan to focus on the primary temperament rather than all the blends.

As you begin, remember that any test is only as good as the subject taking it. Be honest with yourself. Take into consideration your mood. Taking a test like this may depend greatly on your feelings at that time.

Making a Determination

Way #1: You may try to determine your primary and secondary temperament by how you see yourself.

Way #2: You may also make the determination by how others see you. To do this it would be wise to ask several people in order to get an average idea of your temperament.

Final determination: After doing the above, you need to consider whether you see yourself as other do. If people don't see you as you see yourself then you must take careful consideration. If your score is in marked contrast, then you may be trying to make yourself something you aren't.

A Simple Test
1. Are you an extrovert or introvert?
2. Are you a spontaneous, quick-talker?
3. Do you have to apologize frequently?
4. Do you have a high emotional response?
5. Are you quiet and slow to speak?
6. Are you a good speller?
7. Do you do well at math and detail?
8. Do you get depressed easily?

If your answer to question 1 was extrovert and you answered yes to 2-4 -SANGUINE
If your answer to question 1 was extrovert and you answered yes to only one of 2-4 -CHOLERIC
If your answer to 1 was introvert and answered yes to 5-8 -MELANCHOLIC
If your answer to 1 was introvert and you said yes to 5 and you don't get depressed often (8) -PHLEGMATIC

You may also want to take this test: http://www.oneishy.com/personality/personality_test.php. It gives a more specific temperament breakdown, including the blends.

Now that you've found your primary temperament, let's move on to part two, Transformed Temperaments, the Biblical Examples.

For further reading in the temperaments & other great resources:

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
The Disciplined Life by Richard S. Taylor
Spirit-Controlled Temperament by Tim LaHaye
Transformed Temperaments by Tim LaHaye
Why You Act the Way You Do by Tim LaHaye