Matthew 7:3 Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye?
SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS RECOGNIZING & WORKING ON OUR VICES BEFORE & MORE OFTEN THAN RECOGNIZING & HELPING OTHERS IN THEIRS.
Philippians 3:12-13 - Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it.
WHEN WE STOP MATURING IN OUR FAITH, WE START BECOMING PRIDEFUL, SELF-RIGHTEOUS & JUDGMENTAL IN OUR FAITH.
Matthew 5:1-2 - After He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them...
The Vices of the Twelve Disciples
1. Peter (Simon Peter):
• Impulsiveness: Often acted without thinking (Matthew 14:28-31; John 18:10).
• Fear: Denied Jesus three times(Matthew 26:69-75).
• Pride: Rebuking Jesus’ mission to die, and refusing to have Jesus wash his feet. (John 13:8; Mark 8:33)
2. James (Son of Zebedee)
• Pride/Ambition: Wanted a position of power in Jesus’ kingdom (Mark 10:37).
• Short-tempered: Wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan village (Luke 9:54).
3. John (Son of Zebedee)
• Intolerance: Forbade someone from casting out demons because he was not part of the group (Mark 9:38).
• Pride: Sought to secure a prominent position alongside Jesus (Mark 10:35-41).
• Short-tempered: Jesus called him and his brother, the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17).
4. Andrew
• Lack of Initiative: Often overshadowed by his brother Peter (John 6:8-9).
• Doubt: Displayed uncertainty in some situations (John 6:7-9).
5. Philip
• Skepticism: Hesitant to see beyond the physical, struggled with faith (John 6:5-7).
• Lack of Understanding: Even after much time with Jesus, asked to be shown the Father (John 14:8-9).
6. Bartholomew (Nathanael)
• Prejudice: Displayed initial bias against Jesus because He was from Nazareth (John 1:46).
• Skepticism: Questioned Philip's claim about Jesus, though it was quickly replaced by belief (John 1:47-50).
7. Matthew (Levi)
• Greed: Formerly a tax collector, which was synonymous with greed and corruption (Luke 5:27).
• Isolation & Social Rejection: His past made him despised and mistrusted by his own people (Luke 5:29-30).
8. Thomas
• Doubt & Skepticism: Famously doubted Jesus' resurrection until he saw and touched the wounds (John 20:24-29).
9. James (Son of Alphaeus)
• Obscurity: Often referred to as “James the Less,” indicating a less prominent role among the disciples.
• Lack of Influence: No recorded sayings or actions in the Gospels, suggesting he may have struggled with asserting his place.
10. Thaddaeus (Jude, Son of James)
• Lack of Understanding: Asked Jesus why He would only reveal Himself to them and not to the world, indicating confusion about Christ's mission (John 14:22).
• Obscurity: Like James, little is known about him, which could imply a lack of assertiveness or influence.
11. Simon the Zealot
• Violence/Extremism: Was previously associated with the Zealots, a radical Jewish sect known for their willingness to use violence to overthrow Roman rule.
• Nationalism: Might have initially prioritized political revolution over spiritual transformation (Mark 3:18).
12. Judas Iscariot
• Greed: Betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-15).
• Deceit: Pretended to care about the poor when criticizing Mary’s use of expensive perfume (John 12:5-6).
• Hypocrisy: Followed Jesus outwardly but was disloyal inwardly.
• Betrayal: Ultimately gave Jesus up to His enemies with a kiss (Luke 22:47-48).
Matthew 5:1-12 - Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
BLESSED ARE VIRTUES TO COUNTER THE DISCIPLES VICES
1. PETER & JAMES (SON OF ZEBEDEE) – BOLD, PASSIONATE, BUT IMPULSIVE AND PRIDEFUL.
Vices: Pride, impulsiveness, fear, quick temper.
Virtue: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)
Solution: Cultivate meekness and humility by learning to listen before acting. Meekness is not weakness but power under control. Practice patience and consider the consequences of your words and actions.
2. JOHN & MATTHEW – LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE, BUT SOMETIMES PRIDEFUL OR OVERLY CAUTIOUS.
Vices: Intolerance, ambition, greed, lack of confidence.
Virtue: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
Solution: Strive for purity of motives and sincerity in all interactions. Let love be the driving force behind your actions and avoid self-serving attitudes or hidden agendas.
3. THOMAS, PHILIP, & BARTHOLOMEW (NATHANAEL) – ANALYTICAL, HONEST, BUT PRONE TO DOUBT & SKEPTICISM.
Vices: Doubt, prejudice, pessimism, reluctance.
Virtue: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)
Solution: Pursue truth and righteousness with a heart of faith. Seek to overcome doubts by focusing on God’s promises and trusting in what you cannot see. Be willing to move beyond skepticism to deeper faith.
4. ANDREW, JAMES (SON OF ALPHAEUS), & THADDAEUS – LOYAL, HUMBLE, BUT LACKING INITIATIVE & CONFIDENCE.
Vices: Lack of initiative, obscurity, passivity.
Virtue: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
Solution: Embrace your humility as a strength. Learn that God values your quiet faithfulness and that the “poor in spirit” are exalted. Step out in small ways, trusting that your contributions are vital.
5. SIMON THE ZEALOT – ZEALOUS, PASSIONATE, BUT CAN BE EXTREME & IMPATIENT.
Vices: Extremism, impatience, stubbornness.
Virtue: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
Solution: Redirect your zeal to building peace and unity rather than division. Practice patience and seek to influence through gentleness and understanding rather than force or aggression.
6. JUDAS ISCARIOT – CONFLICTED, DISILLUSIONED, AND DRIVEN BY GREED & AMBITION.
Vices: Greed, deceit, hypocrisy, betrayal, disillusionment.
Virtue: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)
Solution: Cultivate a longing for righteousness over material gain by choosing contentment, practicing generosity, and embracing truth over self-serving manipulation. This will replace any conflicting desires with the true fulfillment found only in pursuing God’s will.
Take the Becoming the Twelve Temperament Assessment
https://tinyurl.com/12temperament-test
