Burky's Blog

Sorry, friends, that this went into 5 pages, so hold this until you have time to read it, or print it out. If you had enjoyed the book, Who Do You Think You Are...Anyway?, or enjoyed listening to Dr. Rohm speak, whether it is in recording or in person, or through the work of John Maxwell, maybe you would enjoy the following thoughts I have on such subject in spiritual level.  (If you haven't read that book, maybe you can look at www.personalityinsight.com)

D – Dominant

Direct

Demanding

Decisive

Determined

Doer

Pros: "D" personality makes wonderful leaders and makes lives easier for everyone. They are often the ones that makes the rules or guidelines to prevent further mishaps. They also make job seem easy or simpler and make things happen. They are movers and shakers of our world. They makes a wonderful defenders of any cause.

Cons: "D" personality can put undue yoke on their subordinates and made life difficult for others. Most, if not all, church splits or difficulties occurs over the practical applications of Mosaic Law or Paul's guidelines. They are often picky eaters as well. They often tend to act like we must work for our salvation, if not actually believe in it.

Conclusions:

Lacking "D" personality often cause one to hesitate and not move in faith. In short, they often lack commitment to put works to their faith. For such people, it would be good to develop more "D" to make life easier for them. Consider many messages in the Bible insisting, "FEAR NOT!" We all make mistakes, so why fear making them? God is very longsuffering, so if we make mistakes, we can always pray and repent. In fact, people who acted boldly often get greater blessing than those who didn't, which impress me that God would rather that we do what we feel right anyway now. We must make best decision now, not later—and act upon it! If the end result didn't turn out very well, repent and change your actions. God is very forgiving, so don't think about regretting it, if you already repent of it, of course. Forgive yourself and forget it! Satan loves to pester us about our evil past, just so to drag us down and leave us feeling discouraged.

Having "D" personality too strong can make one very lopsided. It makes one an extremely picky eater as well. For such people, it would be good to moderate out the "D" personality. For an easy start, you can train yourself to learn to like all healthy foods. Just think: It is God's goodness and for His glory that He created them and gave them their flavors they have. God also creates people and gave them creativity to cook them. All that theory of certain food is repulsive is overruled, if you determined to learn to like them. Some say most of diseases all started in the mind. So likewise, you can control your mind to make right choices and learn to like anything that comes your way. That is for starters.

Secondly, you can learn to be flexible. Guidelines are okay to give us ideas where we may deviated, but they should not be enforced with fear. Note all guidelines that Apostle Paul wrote down did not, I mean, did not have any eternal punishment linked to it if you don't practice them. He just expressed why they are reasonable; for example, consider headship veiling, he said in 1 Corinthians 11:3, "...I would have you know..." and also in verse 14 of same chapter, "Doth not even nature itself teach you..." Which is why I felt it is very inconsistent when the church don't practice "pray without ceasing" where it exactly said it is God's will for you in the very next verse! Especially when we know Jesus clearly said in Matthew 7:21, 22 that if you don't do God's will, you will be cast out of heaven while in that same chapter (verse 7-11) talks about praying! Then that same church would not take women who don't practice headship veiling as its members. Don't you see how inconsistent that is?!

Too strong "D" can be moderated by being open-minded in everything that excites them. They can train their minds to view life at all angles. They can learn to listen, and try to make their speakers more right than not. If they cannot make it right, then it probably isn't. Truth are often same as common sense. Still, most importantly, try practicing agreeing to everything as well as consider that God is not particular in any area! After all, God only forbids what hurts you at the end.

I – Inspiring

Influencing

Impressionable

Interactive

Impressive

Interested in people

Interesting

Pros: They are party animals; people have no difficulty loving them. They make life fun. They are wonderful entertainers, and extremely creative. They like living with mountaintop experiences and will try to stay there! They would be wonderful missionaries, because they are adaptive to any culture they find themselves in.

Cons: They tend to be unstable and go with the flow. They don't always have a goal in mind, and if they do, they don't always finish achieving their goals. They based their life on their feelings, and often live for pleasure. In short, they are often disorganized. Many would say they are spineless.

Conclusions:

People who lack "I" personality tend to be less adaptive to change. They often don't really understand relationships. In fact, they don't highly value social life and relationships. That's why people often felt they are indifferent, yet they would be more predictable, which makes them more dependable in work expectations. For such people, one way to develop more "I" personality would be hosting more parties or attend more activities or events. Celebrate diversity and thank God for His goodness and His glory in creating a great variety of personalities. Accept people as they are, rather than wishing they are this and that. Try to observe people and include yourself in their lives. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Don't be afraid of spilling your feelings. People love honesty, so people tend to flock around those who make themselves human. It will be hard at first, but it will be worth it! Again, be flexible. Try to understand that people have differing viewpoints in life and don't judge them for that. Voluntarily work with people, such as participating in ministries with people. It is easy to stay in a quiet corner, or with your family, where you have control over your situations and where you have the feeling of security. However, that's where Jesus busted: "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division..." (Luke 12:51)

People who have "I" personality too strong tend to be too unstable. They also live too much for pleasure. They prefer positive attributes of God, rather than accepting that God does have some negative side. They aren't careful in whom they want to frequent with or rub shoulders with. For such, it would do them good to learn that work can be a pleasure! Think end results rather than now. Live for the consequences rather than feelings. Set goals, and find someone to be accountable to. They have to learn self-denial. If they consider that they are dead to sin, they would be more immune to their wishy-washy feelings or to whatever barbs or negativity that others cast to their way. By thinking beyond their feelings and believing that they themselves cannot be trusted for anything, they can rise above their feelings. Refuse to dwell on discouragements, or on whatever you want now, but think about what you want at the end!

One way to build on stability is to be accountable to someone. Be strong enough to pick the very one who pick on you for your inconsistency! For starters, if you are overweight, be obstinate in following the strict diet and exercise program! Don't eat anything that taste good, only foods that will help you! Be stubborn in budgeting your money, instead of buying whatever you want. Build on determination and commitment to succeed in anything that excites you, and you would eventually moderate out your "I" personality overload.

S – Supportive

Stable

Steady

Sweet

Status Quo

Shy

Pros: "S" personality are such an angel. They make wonderful servants in God's kingdom. They can be depended on for any help you need. They make a good cushion in church life or in any ministry. They can sooth out your ruffled feathers. They give you a feeling of stability. They are more easily pleased or less irritable (or so it seems!) with whatever happens to them.

Cons: They can be such a sucker. They don't have much creativity, and if they do, they don't act it out much. They don't question the reality of their upbringing. They don't study to improve the world. They can become as puppets of the society. They live to please others more than remembering that they are responsible for their own lives. They blow up the idea of submission too much.

Conclusions:

People who lack "S" personality tend to run the show. They want to control everything around them. The very idea of submission is disheartening. They tend to favor anarchy without realizing it; then they won't accept accountability if they break their own rules! In short, they are extremely inconsistent and selfish! The whole world revolves around them according to their actions. For such, self-denial is not a option; it is a must! Such people should go to Marines. They have to be constantly reminded that they are made from the dust, which means they are a piece of dirt! People who work with them should not lament with them whenever they fretted in not getting their own way. Rather, their true friends should approach their very self-pitying action with a sharp rebuke and love. Remind them that the world was here first, not them. Dear readers, I cannot stress this teaching hard enough. This is very reason I struggled in my Christian life so much all those years. To think all this suffering is very unnecessary. Of course, I need a friend who would love me unconditionally and invite me to participate in their life and fun at times in order to feel included, but at same time don't allow any selfish thinking or action to be carried out whatsoever! If you detect that you have such problems yourselves, good for you! Realizing your own problems is a first step, the best step! If submitting to rules make you unhappy, remember that if you are Christian and truly repented, you are dead to your flesh and sin, which means you are immune to whatever happens to you. So what? It happens, so let it happen! Remember Golden Rule? If you do, then you won't be chasing after things that you want, but rather what others want. When catering to others' wishes (as long as it is sensible and right, of course), you would eventually and unsuspectingly win them to cater you to yours! Believe, and it will be your experience!

People who have excessive "S" personality wouldn't have their own life under control. For such, they would have to start considering their life first! After all, the Bible said, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." You are responsible for your actions, so you have a right to say no. Submitting to others, such as church standards, don't help. That is good, but it is better if you seek consistency and follow common sense, rather than trying to be accommodating to those around you.

Following after what makes you feel alive, I mean, alive, you can develop stubbornness to stay within the quickening power of the Spirit. Always submitting to others don't make you feel "high on the mountaintop"; it doesn't make you enthusiastically want to serve the Lord. After all, Jesus said, "I am come that you may have life, and that you may have it more abundantly!" Don't settle for security; settle for premium happiness! Dare to take risks! Move boldly! Don't be afraid of what others think, even if that person or people are Christians! Press toward the mark of high calling; be enthused in all things, and hold nothing back!

C – Cautious

Calculating

Competent

Conscientious

Contemplative

Careful

Pros: They make less mistakes and are more predictable. They can explain exactly what they are thinking, if they have chance and time to think about it thoroughly. They make very good communicators. They are often extremely gifted in what they do, and well learned about their favorite subjects. They observe well to what is happening around them.

Cons: They are skeptical and unbelieving. They have the attitude that if it is not experienced by many, then it may not be true. They have greater difficulty in believing in supernatural or other curiosities that happens in actual world. They would try to explain something rather than accepting it by faith. They are often slow learners or thinkers and slow to act.

Conclusions:

Those who have extremely low "C" personality often are very inconsistent. They are illogical and maybe unreasonable. They are often very undependable in everything. They aren't interested in studying into why they acts the way they do. They don't think. They often acted impulsively. For such people, find some subject that you really love and study it thoroughly. As a Christian, one should find delights in studying the Bible. Be persistent in finding the balance between two seemingly conflicting teachings of the Bible. Don't give up! If you love reading, always, always, always compare whatever you are reading against the Bible, even if it is a book approved by your friend or your church. Always use the Bible as your rule book when hearing sermons and whatever truths that people tell you. Settle for nothing less! Stay open-minded as you go! Be thorough so to be able to answer any questions thrown to you. Know where you stand and stay there!

Too much "C" personality can cause one to be extremely doubtful. God hates unbelief, or he wouldn't include that in the list of worthy of hell (Revelations 21:8 and Hebrews 11:6). Such people often believe after seeing, which Jesus discounted in John 20:29. They stick to what is tried and proven, rather than take risks and act upon their beliefs. Because of their unbelief, they cannot enjoy the richest of blessings that could be theirs. They are too perfectionistic in their work that they cannot enjoy whatever they happened to do or must do. For such people, they must believe in God's promises! They must take God's promises literally! They must act upon what they know and understand of God's promises. Don't hesitate! Don't worry about "what is sin?", but rather worry about what gives yourself a lasting peace and joy. Don't fear mistakes, and don't fear men either. You cannot change them, but you can change yourself. Be quick to apologize when mistake or sin is recognized on your part, but don't dwell on it. Move on. Learn to express your thoughts and feelings about anything, and don't be afraid to share your wrong feelings. You are human too, you know. Accept your mistakes as a growing process and keep on trying. I say, keep on trying! God don't expect us to be perfect; He only expect us to die trying! If you have fears about anything, don't let them stop you. Fear can increase our awareness, but it must not be our master. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but in spite of it." I am sure you notice that God's promises dared you to take risks. Note especially God's displeasure against Moses' hesitancy (See Exodus 4:14). Remember Nike's famous slogan: "Just Do It!" You probably notice many verses throughout the Bible that seems to give you the power to pray for whatever you want. "C" personality often would point out Jesus' words, "Whatsoever you pray in My name, and I will do it." They say that if our prayer don't line up with God's will, it won't be answered. They say that God sometimes say "no" to our prayers. They would be quick to point out that Paul prayed three times, and didn't get answer to his prayers, except that God's grace is sufficient for him. In reality, they may be basing on their experiences and most-heard-of experiences, that people have prayed, but didn't get answers to their prayers. However, they seem to forget about that "Pray without ceasing" is immediately preceded by "...for that is God's will concerning you" and to think about what Jesus said to disciples in Matthew 17:20, 21. Not only that, consider what terror Jesus should have caused us in Matthew 7:21, and that is in same sermon or message where He also mentions of praying (see verses 7-11).

My observations about people and churches:

Conservative Anabaptist churches, Catholics, maybe Lutherans, and other established churches or religions are often more task-oriented, which means "D" and "C" personalities would be more adaptable in them. Set of standards or rites is understandable and dependable as well as provides security for them and, to them, is reasonable to abide by, rather than not being sure about their spiritual equivalences. It is humanly much easier to find something tangible to follow than it is to follow after the invisible Spirit.

Pentecostals and other charismatic movements would be more for "I" personalities. "I" personality often understands that Christianity is all about relationship with their Savior. Because "I" personality usually based on their feelings, they like to talk of spiritual experiences. They also understood grace better than other personalities, because, after all, they are the ones who make most mistakes, enough to discourage "C" personality from trying again!

True Biblical church would appeal to all levels of all personalities. They would host spontaneous worship for the sake of "I" personality. They would pray until they get the answer (see Acts 12:5,16,17 in their context), instead of praying and then accept whatever comes. They would do it collectively, which people-oriented personalities would enjoy. They would do it in few and privately, which "C" personality would prefer. They saw that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, which cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) It will keep the selfish and win them into selflessness, while loving everybody enough to cover their sins or their faults and keep the sin or impurity out of the church.

They would note that we need the "D" personality to make things happen and make living less burdensome for others by "laying down the law," while "I" personality would keep them thinking about "Today is the day of salvation," and that relationship with Jesus Christ alone is the only means of salvation and entrance into God's kingdom and nothing else! We would need the serving and submissive spirit of "S" personality to keep everything running and the consistency and thoroughness of "C" personality to keep things in check.

"D" makes things simple; "I" keeps things in Spirit; "S" gets it moving; "C" holds everything in check.

"Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the One I love...."

Believe positively! Love passionately! Live boldly! Give freely!