Embracing Our God-Given Temperament
Scripture:
Matthew 5:9 - “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Devotional:
Jesus’ words in the Beatitudes point us to a deeper understanding of our purpose as His followers. Each disciple had a unique temperament that, when surrendered to Jesus, became a strength in the spread of the gospel. They were not chosen because of their perfection but because of their willingness to be shaped by Jesus into something greater.
Have you ever considered which of the disciples’ temperaments most closely mirrors your own? Perhaps you identify with Peter’s boldness and struggle with impulsiveness, or maybe you resonate with Thomas’s analytical nature and struggle with doubt. Understanding your temperament and your unique strengths and weaknesses is key to becoming the disciple Jesus is calling you to be.
That’s where the Becoming the Twelve Temperament Assessment comes in. This tool is designed to help you see yourself more clearly and identify areas where God wants to work in your life. Each disciple had both vices and virtues, and so do we. But our vices don’t disqualify us from serving God—they are simply areas where we need to experience His grace and transformation.
For example:
• If you scored high in areas similar to Simon the Zealot, you might struggle with impatience or extremism but also have a passion for justice and truth that, when tempered with grace, can become a powerful force for peace.
• If you align more with Matthew, you may struggle with the pull of materialism or worldly success, but your ability to relate to people from all walks of life makes you an effective bridge-builder for the gospel.
• If your temperament resembles John’s, you might wrestle with ambition or intolerance, but your zeal for Christ, when coupled with humility, can make you a loving shepherd to others.
The goal is not to label ourselves but to recognize that God created each of us with a unique temperament for His purpose. The vices we struggle with are simply indicators of areas where God wants to bring healing and transformation, shaping us into disciples who reflect His love, peace, and righteousness.
Reflection Questions:
1. Which disciple do you identify with the most, and why?
2. How does knowing your temperament help you understand both your strengths and your areas of growth?
3. What steps can you take to embrace your God-given temperament and allow Jesus to shape it into a tool for His kingdom?
Application:
If you haven’t taken the Becoming the Twelve Temperament Assessment, take some time to complete it this week. Reflect on the results and prayerfully consider what God might be revealing to you about your strengths and areas of growth. Share your findings with a trusted friend or mentor and discuss ways to turn your vices into virtues. Embrace the temperament God has given you and commit to using it for His glory.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, thank You for creating me uniquely and for the strengths and temperament You have given me. Help me to see my vices not as disqualifications but as opportunities for growth. Shape my character so that I can become more like You. Transform my weaknesses into strengths for Your glory, and may my life reflect the virtues You teach in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion
This series on the vices and virtues of the Twelve Disciples has taken us on a journey of self-reflection and spiritual growth. We’ve seen that the disciples, despite their flaws, were called by Jesus, loved by Him, and transformed through His grace. Their temperaments were not obstacles but, when surrendered to Jesus, became instruments for God’s glory.
Now it’s your turn. As you’ve worked through these devotionals, identifying your vices and the corresponding virtues God wants to cultivate, take time to put these lessons into practice. Share your findings with others. Engage in meaningful conversations with fellow believers about how Jesus is working in your life. And most importantly, keep your heart open to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.
The journey to spiritual maturity is ongoing. Like Paul, we are called to press on, knowing that God is faithful to complete the good work He began in us (Philippians 1:6). As you continue to grow, may you become a reflection of Christ’s love, grace, and truth in a world that desperately needs to see Him.
Final Closing Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for the journey You have taken me on through this series. Help me to continue growing, to continue seeking You, and to continue turning my vices into virtues that reflect Your heart. Use me to encourage others in their walk, and may Your Spirit continue to shape me into the disciple You’ve called me to be. I commit my life to You again today, asking that You be glorified in all that I do. In Your holy and precious name, Amen.