I by Dr. Tim LaHaye Pastor, Seott Memorial Baptist Church, San Diego my husband never shares with me his plans and goals." The reason is he has been doused with “ice water” so many times that he is afraid or irritated at trying it any more. A Phlegmatic tends more to be a spec tator in life. The crusading spirit of a choleric will cause the phlegmatic to say, “This is terrible; why doesn’t someone do something about it?” He doesn’t see himself in this light. The phlegmatic is also a peace maker. This makes him a very good counsellor. He’s very dependable in fulfilling his obligations. Being very practical and efficient, he can con serve his own energy by anlayzing situations. He figures out the sim plest and least tiring way of getting the job finished. One of the best characteristics about the phlegmatic is that he works well under pressure. It may sound strange and yet some phleg matics act more like Christians be fore they’re saved than some believ ers do after they’re born-again. Some of the phlegmatic’s weak nesses are that he is prone to be slow and lazy. His lack of motivation tends to make him only a spectator. He has a natural inclination to do as little as possible. This keeps him from initiating many fine projects he may have at least considered. He doesn’t want to get too involved or over-extended. It’s true that he’s also rather stubborn. He will drag his feet in a nice way but he still wants his own way. His wit and humor are kind of a self-defense mechanism. He can be very indecisive when prob lems come. If you can get Mr. Phlegmatic in terested and involved, he will be come a tremendous Christian force 17
MR. PHLEGMATIC
C hapter O ne I N this study we want to consider Mr. Phlegmatic. Like his predeces sors, he’s a distinct individual. Just as we inherit a certain physical characteristic from our parents, so we also inherit a certain type of temperament. This determines the kind of actions which motivate us. All t emp e r ame n t s h a v e b o t h strengths and weaknesses. So often we look at the other person and lament, “I wish I were like him.” We should be aware that when Jesus Christ comes into a person’s life, old ways are passed away and we be come new creatures in Him. We have a right to expect people to be differ ent when they are possessed by the Holy Spirit. The apparent differ ence will be in our behavior. Life for Mr. Phlegmatic is a happy, pleasant experience as he avoids as much involvement as pos sible. He’s calm and easy-going, nev er seeming to get ruffled. He seldom explodes in anger but keeps his emo tions very much in control. He is most consistent as far as outward experience is concerned. He feels much more emotion than appears on the surface, having a good capacity to appreciate the fine arts and the better things in life. Mr. Phlegmatic is not lacking friends because he enjoys people. He will often have a natural, dry sense of humor. He has the unique capabil ity of seeing something humorous in others. He possesses a good retentive mind and is capable of being a good imitator. He’s often annoyed at the aimless, restless enthusiasm of other temperaments. I know of a couple where the wife has said, “I don’t understand why
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