What personality type are you? Are you an otter, how about choleric, perhaps an introvert, or finally compliant? To be sure, even though four different “typings” were mentioned above, many other possibilities have been overlooked. How useful are these labels…and if you are a Christian, “What do they have to do with Christ?”
The Apostle Paul points believers in the right direction:
Ephesians 2:13-16
13 But now in Christ Jesus
you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace,
who has made us both one
and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility
15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances,
that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two,
so making peace,
16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross,
thereby killing the hostility.
At the end of the day there are two types of peacemaking efforts: either one makes peace in Christ or one attempts to make peace through man-made schemes. Personality-typing is largely the latter.
In the attempt to make better teams, many Christians think the answer is to find out everybody personality type (an endeavor fraught with error) and then build a team in which the personalities of the members complement each other. It is a worldly way of managing sin—and it NEVER works.
At best, managing sin by personality types only encourages selfishness…but as long as type A’s selfishness is complemented by type B’s selfishness it “works.” In other words, as long as the people’s desires to build their own kingdoms do not clash with each other all is well. It is mainly when two type-As are in the room that visible fireworks occur—but fireworks or not, complementary typing only fosters self-aggrandizement, self kingdom building.
Paul tells us that peace is only found in Jesus. He HIMSELF is our peace. Jesus is peace. Only Jesus is peace. Attempts to find peace anywhere else are idolatrous from the start. All other pursuits of peace are surrogate saviors—and God refuses to ever bless such cosmic rebellion.
The reason peace is only found in Jesus is because He reconciles one to God. When Jesus reconciles He: (1) removes hostilities, (2) reunites, (3) totally/thoroughly, (4) initiates from above, by superior position, and (5) restores to the former state of harmony. Jesus reconciles us to God by killing our selfishness (He bears the wrath of or selfishness and He gives His unselfishness—declared and ethical). Jesus reconciles the worst of enemies (in Ephesians Jews and Gentiles), not by matching co-“conspiratory” personalities, but by killing self-centeredness. All interpersonal problems are the result of sin & selfishness (clashing sinners; cf. James 4:1-3)…NOT clashing personality types.
Beloved, do you not see how offensive it is to Jesus that we would start with man’s way to solve problems (personality types) rather than God’s way (confession, repentance…mortification of sin/selfishness)? Jesus will not share His glory with another!
Beloved, Jesus is the solution to all interpersonal conflict. No mediation, no compromise, no litigation, no managing, no policies, no rank structure, no complementary personality types will EVER bring peace.
Peace is ONLY found in The Peace of Peace. He brings peace by slaying self.
Is your sin/self being killed when you find out your supposed personality type? OR…are you being Afforded Rights and Absolved of Responsibilities because of your typing?
Peace is ONLY found in The Peace of Peace. He brings peace by slaying self.
Come to the cross…lay down your will…put His yoke around your neck and go where He leads: confession, repentance, the death of self AND the love of neighbors.
Jesus…He Himself is our Peace.
10,000 Blessings in The Prince of Peace,
Jim