Temperament: Developing a Godly Disposition

Temperament is the pattern of thinking, feeling and reacting that shapes a person’s whole manner of life. Nature may shape our natural inclinations, but our upbringing and family dynamics mould how they are expressed; yet with God’s help and steady self-discipline even the most unruly temperament can be remade to reflect the character of Christ.

Temperament Reveals the Heart

Temperament is a person’s nature, disposition or whole manner of life – their thinking, feeling, words, actions and reactions – as revealed by their characteristic behaviour. Your disposition is the stable pattern of that nature, revealed in how you consistently respond to life. It is the lens through which every situation is interpreted and the wellspring from which habitual conduct flows. Temperament is what we begin with; character is what, by God’s grace, we build upon it.

Some people are fickle, easily frazzled or upset, unpredictable, impetuous and often make unwise decisions. Other people are steady, dependable and level-headed, through exercising self-control, tolerance and patience. A wise man fears God, while a fool is hot-headed and reckless (Prov 14:16-17; Eccl 7:9). Whatever our natural bent, Scripture calls us to bring it under God’s rule.

Befriend the Godly, Guard Your Reactions

Befriend and learn from those whose Godly lifestyle you admire, for we become like those we live among (Prov 22:24-25; Isa 6:5). Hot-tempered companions stir up strife, while wise companions calm it. Choose friendship deliberately, because character is caught long before it is taught.

Am I exhibiting the character of Christ – Romans 8:29?

With God’s help and self-discipline we also can develop Godlike character qualities. Before reacting, stop and think what a Godly response should be, instead of giving immediate vent to your feelings. A moment’s pause – to breathe, pray, or simply wait – has spared many relationships from words that cannot be unsaid.

Our behaviour should reflect that of our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ, who always displayed the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). He was never harsh, hasty or unpredictable; even His righteous anger was expressed without sin. As we abide in Him, His temperament gradually becomes ours.

No believer outgrows the need for grace in this area. Even the most mature among us have days when we are tired, pressured or caught off guard, and the old temperament shows through. A bad day need not define us, and it need not discourage us: God is not finished with us yet (Phil 1:6). What matters is not that we never stumble, but that we keep returning to Him – confessing quickly, forgiving freely and starting again. While we can all have bad days, with God's help we can increasingly bring all our responses and reactions under the Lordship of Christ (2 Cor 10:5), so that bit by bit our whole temperament – and not just our best moments – honours Him.

We are work in progress – Phillipians 1:6

Reflection and Application

Ask God to reveal the one trait of your temperament that most needs His touch.
Practise pausing to pray before responding in any tense situation this week.
Spend regular time with a mature believer whose temperament you admire.
Memorise Proverbs 14:29 – "It's smart to be patient, but it's stupid to lose your temper" – and recall it whenever your temper begins to rise.