What does God say about your personality?

If you’ve ever felt like you’re too much or not enough, lean in.

If you feel like no one quite understands your struggle, come close.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re too loud, too quiet, too thoughtful, too expressive, too easily drained, too energetic… any of the “too’s” – let’s sit down together.

If you think you got an F! in the personality department, I’m here to tell you that’s a lie.

God created YOU in all your unique glory to shine like a star in the sky. He gave you your unique personality as a gift to further his kingdom. It’s a delight for him and you when you enjoy it.

He designed you, His beloved, to live intentionally with passion and purpose.

Not sure about this? Let’s talk some more.

Listen to the podcast episode: What does God say about personality?

More of a listener than a reader? I got you.

How do you define personality?

According to dictionary.com:

Personality – the combination of characteristics or qualities that form an individual’s distinctive character.

Dictonary.com

Your personality can also be called your nature, disposition, temperament, persona, psyche, or identity.

It’s a modge podge of different qualities that make up YOU.

No “good” or “bad” personalities, like shoes

Friend, let’s be clear – the kind of personality you have isn’t a moral or ethical issue.

It’s neutral.

For example, imagine a pair of shoes you own. Picture their shape, color, heel height, function… all of that.

Now, you could use those shoes to march into battle for those you love, to dance for joy, to work, or to walk in the park.

You could also use those shoes to kick someone, stomp on their toes, throw at someone, and so forth.

The shoes aren’t inherently good or bad.

They’re just shoes.

It’s how you, their possessor, choose to use them that makes all the difference.

It’s YOUR creative spin on them that makes them not only purposeful for your life but also injects your passion into them!

What we know about God: He is creative!

From the very beginning of Scripture, we learn that God created the heavens and the earth. And He said it was good.

We continue through Genesis 1 and read how at the end of each day, he looked upon his creations and declared them “good.” Here’s a snapshot from the Amplified Bible translation:

He determined that what he made was pleasing and useful. He affirmed it!

On the sixth day, he creates mankind. Here are a few highlights from what He says:

(It’s a bit long, so you’re welcome to visit the passage to read it completely.)

This is one reason the AMP translation is so helpful!

When God made mankind in His image, it was with a spiritual personality and moral likeness.

He created male and female in his image. He created you and me to be like Him – including in our personalities!

Part of YOUR unique personality showcases an aspect of God. Isn’t that incredible?!

What we know about Jesus’ disciples: Each of them had something unique to offer!

Okay, so we know that God created men and women. Let’s skip several hundred years to the New Testament and look at Jesus’ recruitment strategy.

For Jesus’ deep mentorship program, he poured much of his time and energy into his 12 disciples.

While our knowledge is limited about each of the disciples’ backstories and personalities, we do know that:

• They had a wide range of occupations, including fishermen and a tax collector. These professions are widely different!
• Peter was often described as impetuous, strong-willed, and passionate.
• Andrew had a knack for bringing others to Jesus, including some of his fellow disciples and a boy with scraps to share.
• John and James were referred to as the “Sons of Thunder” – most likely because of their stormy personalities.
• Bartholomew is known for being an honest man who fully believed in Jesus after Jesus shared how he saw him before coming to Bartholomew.
• Thomas was described as a cynic (“doubting Thomas”) but chose to stick it out with Jesus anyway.
• Some more detailed information can be found in Fascinating Facts About The Twelve Disciples.

Jesus consciously chose to mentor men from varying backgrounds and temperaments because they were needed in his kingdom.

At times I wonder how much their different personalities enabled his followers to connect with others!

What we know about the gospels: They’re also influenced by personality!

Just for kicks – did you notice that the four gospels have a different style of telling the good news?

• Matthew tends to focus on Jewish traditions and history. He confirmed that Jesus is the King of the Jews!

• Mark tends to be more like an action film – moving quickly through Jesus’ ministry to showcase how Jesus LIVED and worked among the people. He declared that Jesus is a servant!

• John focuses on relationships and the divine status of Jesus. He proclaimed that Jesus is Christ and truly the Son of God!

• Luke tends to focus on careful research of the gospel and zooming in on the human traits Jesus had. He expounded upon how Jesus is the Son of Man.

You can find more information about the gospels here: Comparing the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

What we know about the church: All types of people are needed!

Of course, we couldn’t possibly talk about God’s take on personality without considering Paul’s words about the body of Christ.

At this point in God’s grand love story, Jesus has come to earth, conducted his ministry, sacrificed himself on the cross for each of us, and risen again. (Hallelujah!)

Paul is writing to the Corinthians about the body of Christ.

The Holy Spirit gives each of us unique special abilities, types of ministry, gifts in serving, and ways to work.

Paul further goes on to highlight how each of these empowering gifts is from the Holy Spirit – who equips each believer according to his wisdom.

In his letter, Paul further discusses how important it is for each part to serve its role in the body.

After all, a body can’t fulfill its purpose as easily if a foot is missing, right? (Feel free to read 1 Corinthians 12 for more information about that.)

Basically, God designed each of us to have unique gifts and perspectives that are invaluable to his body of believers.

YOU are needed. You are important. Your personality matters.

Articles related to what God says about your personality

• How your personality influences every moment of your life
• Think personality tests are useless? Try this instead.
• Take these 6 Personality Tests to know yourself better!
• How you can live with passion and purpose by understanding your personality

Wrapping up what God says about your personality

Hopefully, it’s clear now just HOW MUCH God is passionate about unique personalities. How much he takes pleasure in creating and seeing his creations (that includes you and me!) use our gifts.

When God created mankind, he created us in his image, which includes our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. (That totally involves our personality, too!)

When Jesus recruited his disciples, he chose men from varying backgrounds with different passions to pursue one mighty purpose – spreading the good news.

Even the gospels are written from four very different perspectives so they can meet people who need it most.

When we the church choose to use the gifts we’ve been given for His purpose, we strengthen the church and can pursue lives of purpose and passion together!

The creator of the universe designed YOU to make an impact on the world that only YOU can make. He equipped you with the body, heart, mind, and soul to do it. In the mix of those incredible resources is your personality. Don’t knock it. Don’t elevate it above what it is. But enjoy it. Lean into it. Grow in it.

Want some help getting started? The Embrace Your Potential Playbook can help you do this!

Live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved. He’s equipped you to do this!