Holy Spirit will give you goals, am bitions and drives. The secret of mo tivation is to have proper goals. Some people are more moved by fear which isn’t what it should be. Of course, the best of all motivators is faith. This is a thrilling way to live. It’s open to each of us. On the other hand, if you’re interested only in self, you’ll self-protect you r s e l f . Don’t say that you’re not capable. This is a lie of the devil. This has its real basis in pride. Such selfish ness keeps us from being available to the Spirit of God. Sometimes we preachers have a tendency to work a good horse to death. When it comes to a phleg matic, however, I never worry about him over-extending himself. They often have a tendency to under-ex- tend themselves and not to get in volved. Keep in mind that one day we’re going to stand before Jesus Christ. Will you hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful serv ant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” If you’re a phlegmatic, when some one gives you an opportunity for Christian service, don't start pray ing that someone else will fill that place. Ask the Lord, “God, is it I? Do you want me to fill that need?” Thank the Lord that you have an opportunity to invest yourself in such a way. Happy is the man who involves himself with the Holy Spir it controlling and motivating him in every area of life. Go to the Spirit of God for self-control. The difference between two phleg matics when one is a Christian and the other isn’t is that one will actu ally volunteer for service. It’s con trary to his old nature. Why not ask your preacher, “Do you have a need in Sunday school where I can serve Christ? I’d like to volunteer.” The superintendent may pass out from the sheer shock. There are similar problems in the home. A phlegmatic has a tendency
for the Lord. Next time you have a job to do, ask one of the phlegmatics to take charge. Generally they’ll do a superb job. They may not volun teer but be sure to ask them. If you’re a phlegmatic, let me caution you. As a Christian, you’ll find that it is easy to let someone else do the work. Don’t let yourself be fooled. Get involved in the church in some active manner. Ask the Lord to give you strength and guidance along the way. C hapter T wo T he H oly S pirit in an individual’s life means that there’ll be a com plete change. The temperament can be entrusted to the proper hands. Mr. Phlegmatic is very easy-going. He never gets upset but is very effi cient, practical, and generally enjoy able. On the side of weaknesses, he is naturally prone to be lazy, stub born and a tease. He also has a ten dency to be stingy. He’s conserve tive with everything he does. He’s the type of individual who never gets upset. He needs to be externally mo tivated. He works well under pres sure. Mr. Phlegmatic is an unusual ly capable person if you can properly motivate him. He needs to be en couraged to study the Word of God. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak, bringing self-control which is so needed. Never pamper yourself in com miserating, “Oh, I wish I were of another temperament” ! Such think ing isn’t going to change anything. The clay can’t say to the potter, “Why hast thou made me thus?” We have no right to question God’s wisdom and sovereignty. Instead of complaining about what shape you might be in, why not go to your Heavenly Father, who specializes in modifying human behavior, chang ing people, and you’ll find what He wants to do in your life. As you grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus, the 18
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