Truth matters. But how we handle truth depends greatly on our temperament.
Some struggle with bluntness, others with avoiding confrontation. Some wrestle with exaggeration, and others with people-pleasing.
Let’s explore how our unique temperaments shape our approach to truth and how God’s wisdom can transform us!
Understanding the Four Temperaments
Before diving in, let’s briefly outline the four temperaments. This will help you recognize your natural tendencies and how you can grow in Christ.
🌟 Choleric – Bold, confident, and action-driven. They love taking charge but may struggle with being too harsh or direct when telling the truth.
🌺 Sanguine – Outgoing, expressive, and enthusiastic. They enjoy storytelling but may exaggerate or avoid hard truths to keep the mood light.
🍃 Phlegmatic – Peaceful, easygoing, and steady. They value harmony and may withhold truth to avoid conflict.
🍂 Melancholic – Thoughtful, detail-oriented, and deep. They hold truth in high regard but may be overly critical or hesitant to speak up.
Now that you see where you might fit in, let’s look at how each temperament navigates the challenge of Telling the Truth.
Choleric: The Bold Truth-Teller
Story: Imagine Lydia, a confident businesswoman, overseeing a team project. A coworker presents an idea, but Lydia knows it won’t work. Without hesitation, she says, “That’s a bad idea. It’ll fail.” The room falls silent.
What should Lydia have done differently?
- Pause, pray, and deliver the truth with grace.
- Acknowledge the effort first before offering a constructive alternative.
- Ask questions to guide her coworker to see the flaw themselves.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which approach would you choose? Comment below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Biblical Insight: “Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Cholerics must learn to season their truth with grace, so it builds up rather than tears down.
🌿 Three Affirmations for Cholerics:
- I will speak truth in love, using wisdom and grace (Proverbs 16:24).
- I will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19).
- I will use my words to bring life and encouragement (Proverbs 15:4).
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to steward my words wisely. I want to speak the truth, but in a way that honors You and strengthens others. Show me when to be bold and when to be gentle, that I may reflect Your wisdom. Amen.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which one affirmation will you focus on today? 🌿 Drop it in the comments below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Also, don’t forget to read today’s chapter from Proverbs and share a verse that speaks to you in the chat. Let’s encourage one another to walk in wisdom!
🔥 Truth matters. Let’s handle it well! 🔥
Sanguine: The Enthusiastic Storyteller
Story: Sarah loves making people laugh. At a gathering, she shares an exciting story—but she stretches the truth to make it sound better. Later, a friend calls her out, saying, “That didn’t actually happen like that, did it?”
What should Sarah have done?
- Stick to the truth, even if it seems less exciting.
- Acknowledge her exaggeration and strive for honesty next time.
- Consider why she feels the need to enhance stories and ask God to help her.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which approach would you choose? Comment below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Biblical Insight: “The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in those who tell the truth” (Proverbs 12:22). Sanguines must guard against stretching the truth for entertainment or approval.
🌿 Three Affirmations for Sanguines:
- I will let my yes be yes and my no be no (Matthew 5:37).
- I will speak truthfully and avoid exaggeration (Proverbs 12:19).
- I will seek to please God rather than people (Galatians 1:10).
🙏 Prayer: Father, help me to honour You with my words. May my speech be truthful and my stories pure. Let me find joy in honesty rather than embellishment. Amen.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which one affirmation will you focus on today? 🌿 Drop it in the comments below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Also, don’t forget to read today’s chapter from Proverbs and share a verse that speaks to you in the chat. Let’s encourage one another to walk in wisdom!
🔥 Truth matters. Let’s handle it well! 🔥
Phlegmatic: The Peacekeeper’s Dilemma
Story: Daniel dislikes conflict. His friend asks for his opinion on a project, but Daniel doesn’t think it’s very good. Instead of being honest, he says, “It looks great!” Later, when the project fails, his friend is hurt that Daniel wasn’t truthful.
What should Daniel have done?
- Speak the truth gently but honestly.
- Ask thoughtful questions to help his friend see potential issues.
- Pray for courage to share the truth, trusting that honesty leads to growth.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which approach would you choose? Comment below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Biblical Insight: “An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips” (Proverbs 24:26). Phlegmatics must learn that true peace comes from honesty, not avoidance.
🌿 Three Affirmations for Phlegmatics:
- I will speak the truth in love, not fear (2 Timothy 1:7).
- I will trust that honesty strengthens relationships (Ephesians 4:25).
- I will be a peacemaker, not a people-pleaser (Matthew 5:9).
🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to be honest even when it’s hard. Give me wisdom to speak truth with kindness and courage to stand firm in integrity. Amen.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which one affirmation will you focus on today? 🌿 Drop it in the comments below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Also, don’t forget to read today’s chapter from Proverbs and share a verse that speaks to you in the chat. Let’s encourage one another to walk in wisdom!
🔥 Truth matters. Let’s handle it well! 🔥
Melancholic: The Thoughtful Truth-Seeker
Story: Maria is known for her deep thinking. When asked for feedback on a presentation, she thinks it could be improved, but she hesitates to speak up. She worries about how her critique might hurt her colleague’s feelings. Days later, the same colleague asks for her opinion again, and Maria decides to be honest, but by then, the opportunity to offer constructive feedback has passed.
What should Maria have done?
- Share her thoughts gently at the first opportunity.
- Speak with grace and offer solutions, not just criticisms.
- Recognize that silence can also be a disservice and speak up in love.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which approach would you choose? Comment below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Biblical Insight: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18). Melancholics must remember that silence at the wrong time can be just as harmful as harsh words.
🌿 Three Affirmations for Melancholics:
- I will speak the truth in love and with wisdom (Proverbs 15:23).
- I will speak when necessary and always seek to uplift (Proverbs 10:11).
- I will not be afraid to offer feedback that can lead to growth (Proverbs 27:17).
🙏 Prayer: Father, help me to speak truth courageously and wisely. Teach me to offer constructive feedback and to trust that my words, when spoken in love, will bring healing. Help me overcome my fear of being misunderstood and speak in a way that builds others up. Amen.
✨ Your Turn! ✨ Which one affirmation will you focus on today? 🌿 Drop it in the comments below and share in the Wisdom Seekers' chat!
📖 Also, don’t forget to read today’s chapter from Proverbs and share a verse that speaks to you in the chat. Let’s encourage one another to walk in wisdom!
🔥 Truth matters. Let’s handle it well! 🔥
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My Second Posting from the Blog
ReplyDeleteTruthful Tuesday
Stick to the truth, even if it seems less exciting
This is so refreshing.
There are so many Truth here for me as a Sanguine. In the past, I did so many things without even realizing why I did it. Reading this blog this morning, I realized whenever I would share something I needed excitement and I needed action. I loved to see the faces of others when I related it.
Now, I stick with sharing without the extra frills. I share as it is. I don’t get the laughs or excitement as I did before. To be honest with you, the temptation is always there to go back to that old way of relating things, but I choose to listen to Wisdom.
Affirmations Sanguines:
* I will speak truthfully and avoid exaggeration (Proverbs 12:19).
Have a Truthful Day
Transformation in action!
DeleteThanks for sharing Sis. Debbie. Naturally your sanguine personality would make anything you say come across in a lively, engaging way - which is a great quality!
DeleteThank You Dr. Trudy. Understanding ourself is key in order to healthy in to who God created us to be.
DeleteSister Penny, I can definitely see it..
DeleteNow that I am being transformed, I will choose the third one: Ask questions to guide her coworker to see the flaw themselves. The other two are also great options that I am currently trying to implement.
ReplyDeletePrior, I would have reacted just like Lydia. Thank you Jesus for the change you are bringing to my life!
This is a great strategy - ask guiding questions to help the person see their flaw. It's not easy though, but I can see the benefit of doing so.
DeleteIt so wonderful when we can learn from each other. I echo Dr. Trudy. Great strategy..
DeleteAffirmation: I will speak truth in love, using wisdom and grace (Proverbs 16:24).
ReplyDeleteGood morning everyone!
ReplyDeleteThe approach I would choose is to “speak with grace and offer solutions, not just criticisms”. As I learn more about my personality, I realize that being able to see and offer solutions is a good thing as it can help improve situations/projects, etc. The key thing, however, is to be mindful of ‘how’ I relay the suggestions for improvement - gracefully presenting solutions without sounding critical. It is also important to not stay silent for fear of offending or hurting others feelings. Feedback can lead to growth, but its all about being brave to offer the feedback and also being aware of how I provide the feedback.
Affirmation: I will speak the truth in love and with wisdom (Proverbs 15:23).
I realize that I tend to avoid offering constructive feedback to those outside my family/people I’m not very close with. I fear offering feedback if I feel it might make the other person feel bad. At the same time, I noticed that in the past (I have definitely improved lol) I would freely offer what I considered ‘constructive’ criticism to those closest to me - namely Tarrie! However, I realize that ite better to speak the truth in love and to use wisdom. Not everything needs to be corrected; sometimes, it’s best to just leave things alone. Also, even if I am going to correct something, say it in a way that comes across positive and gracefully.
Have a great day everyone~
Leave my son in law alone! lol.
DeleteThanks for sharing.
Dr. Trudy, I love you input. Thank You.. Now you have my little friend to practice on. LOL
DeleteTerrific Temperament Transformation Tuesday
ReplyDeleteGreetings my fellow Wise Women,
After carefully reading the story, I believe Maria should have taken all three steps;
* Share her thoughts gently at the first opportunity.
* Speak with grace and offer solutions, not just criticisms.
* Recognize that silence can also be a disservice and speak up in love
Her natural tendency as a Melincholic may have caused ger to respond and react in the in a passive manner, however she needed to be assertive and bold enough to gently share her thoughts rather than being silent, she should seek God's guidance in the situation. She needs to put all her trust in God with all of her heart, and not rely on her own understanding, but remembering that if she acknowledge God in everything, He will give her the boldness to speak and tell her the right things to say. (Prov 3: 5-6) important for us to tell the truth, no matter how it looks. We nust see things through the lens of God and his word because nothing else matter.
Affirmation
"I will speak the truth in love and with wisdom (Proverbs 15:23)."
Prayer:
Father, help me to speak truth courageously and wisely. Teach me to offer constructive feedback and to trust that my words, when spoken in love, will bring healing. Help me overcome my fear of being misunderstood and speak in a way that builds others up. Amen.
Telling the truth
ReplyDeletePhlegmatic
Temparament Tuesday
Proverbs 24:26
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips .
* Speak the truth gently but honestly.
* I will speak the truth in love, not fear (2 Timothy 1:7).
Only yesterday I had a situation where I had to speak the truth without fear , too many times we allow persons to come into our lives and always have an opinion but I was able to stand my ground and speak the truth weather the person liked it or not ..
Bless Tuesday ..
Hello everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe approach i will take is "Recognized that silence can also be a disservice and speak up in love "
Affirmation: I will not be afraid to offer feedback that can lead to growth.
Truthful Tuesday
ReplyDeleteThe approach I will take from the story':
Speak truth gently but honestly.
At times depending on who it is I tend to not to say anything. Some people it's easier for me to speak with. I have improved a little bit which is pushing me out from my comfort zone. Over the past six weeks I have been volunteering at a food bank, working along side the owner. The organization is very disorganized which is pushing me the speak up instead of the old me would just do all the work and remain quiet.
My affirmation:"I will speak the truth in love, not fear." 2 Timothy 1:7
Have a good evening
Phlegmatic: The peaceful Dilemma
ReplyDeleteDaniel should have
Ask thoughtful questions to help his friend see potential issues.
In the pass,I may have say something without tact.
Affirmation
I will trust that honesty strengthen relationship
(Ephesians (4:25)
Prayer LORD, help me to be honest even when it's hard
Give me wisdom to speak truth with kindness and courage to stand firm in integrity. Amen.
Telling the Truth Tuesday .
ReplyDeletePhlegmatic: The Peacekeeper’s Dilemma
Choice Approach :
# Speak the truth gently but honestly.
#Ask thoughtful questions to help his friend see potential issues.
My Natural tendancy to ask questions in a thought way in those situations.
Affirmations for Phlegmatics:
# I will speak the truth in love, not fear
(2 Timothy 1:7).
I will trust that honesty strengthens relationships
(Ephesians 4:25).
Prayer: Lord, help me to be honest even when it’s hard. Give me wisdom to speak truth with kindness and courage to stand firm in
integrity. Amen🙏
Phlegmatic: The Peacekeeper’s Dilemma
ReplyDeleteWhat should Daniel have done?
Speak the truth gently but honestly
Ask thoughtful questions to help his friend see potential issues.
Affirmations:
I will speak the truth in love, not fear ( 2Timothy 1:7)
I will trust that honesty strengthens relationships (Ephesians 4:25)
Lord, help me to be honest even when it's hard. Give me wisdom to speak truth with kindness and courage to stand firm in integrity. Amen.
The one I will focus on I will speak the truth in love, not fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
Truthful Tuesday:
ReplyDeleteI would choose these two approaches;
1. Share her thoughts gently at the first opportunity.
2. Speak with grace and offer solutions, not just criticisms
Most times, I tend to speak to and offer feedback to people than I know and is comfortable with and do it boldly, otherwise I will remain silent especially if I think it doesn't need a response. Learning about my temperament has really been an eye opener and will help with my personality.
Affirmation;
I will not be afraid to offer feedback that can lead to growth (Proverbs 27:17).
Blesssed day all.
Thanks for sharing your responses ladies. Appreciated.
ReplyDelete