Following Jesus, Not Personality Types

By Dean Collins

When there is no way of knowing, we speculate. It is fun to come up with theories for things that we don’t know. I remember years ago when I was in graduate school, I had a class where we learned about many different assessment tools that were available to better understand an individual’s cognitive function and abilities. During the semester we investigated and took many of these tests or inventories. Some were personality inventories, some attitude scales, some ability tests, and others helped determine intellectual ability.  

In business and leadership consulting, I have used many different personality inventories to help an individual or team better understand themselves and their tendencies. There are many of these instruments, and they tend to go in and out of popularity, often based on the leadership gurus who are using them. In faith-based organizations I have heard many conversations about which personality type Jesus might have been. Since Jesus never took any of these assessments, the discussions are all based on speculation and conjecture. I have heard many people express their strong opinions on why Jesus just had to be a certain type.

The Myers Briggs Personality Indicator and the Enneagram are the two I have overheard discussions around the personality type of Jesus. It’s fun to speculate, but when it comes to Jesus, it might be better to duplicate! When Jesus said to “follow me,” he meant both go in the direction I go and behave in the ways you have seen me behave.

Several times in the gospels we see Jesus leave the crowds and his own disciples and go off by himself to pray. Maybe an introverted personality type is more apt to go off by themselves than an extrovert might be, but we do not need to be a certain personality type to follow Jesus. We do need to be willing to take the same steps he took if we hope to be spiritually formed into the disciples he calls us to be.

Whenever Jesus left his time of prayer with his Father, he reengaged with both the disciples and continued his public ministry. Maybe someone with more intuition might see the places where someone might have need of help. Or maybe someone who is more research oriented may use data to see where Jesus wants them to serve. God can certainly use our various personalities and strengths to minister to others, but the main thing God needs from us is our willingness to be obedient to the people he often places right in front of us.

In Matthew 14, we read the familiar story of Jesus walking on the water, and after first thinking he was a ghost, Peter said, “If it is really you Lord, then tell me to come to you.” You know the rest of the story. We often think of the faith Peter had to take the step out of the boat. Or the fear he had when he looked at the waves instead of Jesus. And of course, we love how Jesus reaches out and pulls Peter into the boat. But reading this today, I was completely drawn to what happened before the walking on the water excitement.

And what happened before was Jesus taking time by himself with his Father in prayer and then reengaging with his disciples while the storm was raging. Somewhere near you and me today, there is someone who is in the middle of a raging storm. They aren’t sure they will make it. They don’t know what to do next. And you and I may be the one Jesus wants to send into their storm in order to help them. But it is very likely we will miss the situation altogether unless we take time to pray alone with our Father in heaven. Then, filled with the Holy Spirit, we are far more able to notice those in need.  

God doesn’t need a certain personality type to provide the help someone needs. All he needs is for us to follow Jesus and simply reach out a hand.

Father, thank you for all we see and know about Jesus from scripture. As his followers today, we ask that you reveal to us someone who needs a hand. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Your Time with God’s Word
Matthew 14:22-33 ESV

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