Tim LaHaye is probably most well known for his "end times" fictional books in the "Left Behind" series. But, if I can be given a minute to describe one of his earlier books that have really benefited me, that book is "The Spirit Controlled Temperament."
LaHaye first describes the four basic personality patterns or temperaments. He also explains how there are primary and secondary traits we all have. These are broken down into Extrovert types being in the Sanguine and Choleric, and the Introvert types being described as Melancholy and Phlegmatic. Each of us has a primary trait and then at least one other secondary trait that describes our personalities. And each of the temperaments are all good, none is better than another and they should all be seen to have creative and positive aspects. But, because we live in a broken world and we are sinful in and of ourselves, each of us can fall into a "selfishness" that is sinful and sometimes destructive.
Identifying the primary sin we all suffer from to one degree or another as "selfishness" is very helpful. In my first reading of the book approximately fifteen years ago I was blessed to understand that to some degree my own selfishness was the cause of my sin. The real insight came however in understanding that this selfishness usually results in either being led by "fear" or "anger" as the primary cause. I could see this in my life after I thought it through. It can be very subtle however as fear and anger are usually masked by some other positive explanation, as we want to explain or excuse ourselves. But against God's righteous character, we can see that we are seeking our own sinful desires all too often. There are times of course when fear can be caused by something that is actually very bad, like the fear of cancer or of crimes committed against us. And anger can be triggered by righteous indignation against injustice from exploitation or oppression, etc. But primarily, fear and anger arise from our own selfishness. And this is the essence of the sinful nature.
LaHaye makes the all-important transition from identifying the problem to moving toward a Biblical solution in becoming controlled by the Holy Spirit. Just as each temperament can fall into a selfishness that is destructive, so each one can be yielded to the Holy Spirit to become fruitful in the gifts of the Spirit. In several sections of Scripture LaHaye points out that God wants us to be Spirit-filled, and this causes a change in our disposition and outlook. Even more, this changes our behavior and lifestyle. In Galatians 5:16-26 we see an example of how the Spirit can work.
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
I believe this is the life-changing transformation that is called sanctification and I believe it is the most overlooked doctrine in the contemporary church. So often we hear about the justification by faith alone that marked the Protestant Reformation, which is from the grace of Christ, and it is central to our salvation. But, there is the inseparable doctrine of sanctification that is also needed for Christians to understand how to live in the Holy Spirit. And, it brings so many blessings in life to actually be changed, to be freed up from our sin and selfishness, and to walk in the newness of life in the Spirit.
There are not enough words to describe how needy I am for the Holy Spirit to transform me day by day. Yet, "The Spirit Controlled Temperament", by Tim LaHaye does a great job to start us on the path of being led by and living in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God!
FAITH TODAY: Romans 8:5-8, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
LaHaye first describes the four basic personality patterns or temperaments. He also explains how there are primary and secondary traits we all have. These are broken down into Extrovert types being in the Sanguine and Choleric, and the Introvert types being described as Melancholy and Phlegmatic. Each of us has a primary trait and then at least one other secondary trait that describes our personalities. And each of the temperaments are all good, none is better than another and they should all be seen to have creative and positive aspects. But, because we live in a broken world and we are sinful in and of ourselves, each of us can fall into a "selfishness" that is sinful and sometimes destructive.
Identifying the primary sin we all suffer from to one degree or another as "selfishness" is very helpful. In my first reading of the book approximately fifteen years ago I was blessed to understand that to some degree my own selfishness was the cause of my sin. The real insight came however in understanding that this selfishness usually results in either being led by "fear" or "anger" as the primary cause. I could see this in my life after I thought it through. It can be very subtle however as fear and anger are usually masked by some other positive explanation, as we want to explain or excuse ourselves. But against God's righteous character, we can see that we are seeking our own sinful desires all too often. There are times of course when fear can be caused by something that is actually very bad, like the fear of cancer or of crimes committed against us. And anger can be triggered by righteous indignation against injustice from exploitation or oppression, etc. But primarily, fear and anger arise from our own selfishness. And this is the essence of the sinful nature.
LaHaye makes the all-important transition from identifying the problem to moving toward a Biblical solution in becoming controlled by the Holy Spirit. Just as each temperament can fall into a selfishness that is destructive, so each one can be yielded to the Holy Spirit to become fruitful in the gifts of the Spirit. In several sections of Scripture LaHaye points out that God wants us to be Spirit-filled, and this causes a change in our disposition and outlook. Even more, this changes our behavior and lifestyle. In Galatians 5:16-26 we see an example of how the Spirit can work.
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things, there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
I believe this is the life-changing transformation that is called sanctification and I believe it is the most overlooked doctrine in the contemporary church. So often we hear about the justification by faith alone that marked the Protestant Reformation, which is from the grace of Christ, and it is central to our salvation. But, there is the inseparable doctrine of sanctification that is also needed for Christians to understand how to live in the Holy Spirit. And, it brings so many blessings in life to actually be changed, to be freed up from our sin and selfishness, and to walk in the newness of life in the Spirit.
There are not enough words to describe how needy I am for the Holy Spirit to transform me day by day. Yet, "The Spirit Controlled Temperament", by Tim LaHaye does a great job to start us on the path of being led by and living in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God!
FAITH TODAY: Romans 8:5-8, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
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