It can be easy to mistakenly confuse the way we think life should be with what the RIGHT way should be.
For example, social people who find great joy in being with others may be at risk for spiritualizing their own personalities to be one that aligns better with what they focus on in Scripture as the most important aspects of life and ministry.
This tendency can lead extroverts to wrongly thinking their way of 'doing life' is more holy, better, preferred, in short: RIGHT.
They tell introverts, or those who are secure enough to not have to have other people live their lives right alongside them, their way of living is not as good, not ideal, not as Christ-like or holy. In short, they tell them it is wrong.
What this reveals is sadly a reality in our extroverted culture, which is, that introverts are not valued for what they bring to the table. What they bring is seldom considered beyond a quick glance. Instead the extrovert spends greater time looking at how their way is superior, and they psychoanalyze their incorrectly perceived faults of introverts.
Language plays greatly into this. Notice how I worded the description of introverts to cast extroverts as insecure? I could have also characterized introverts as people who do not form deep relationships with people outside their immediate family, or people who find greater peace by being alone rather than in a group.
My point is this, there is a bit of insecurity and neediness, that if left unchecked, can rule an extrovert's life. They can develop a persona that is simply never satisfied. The amount of social interaction is never enough, and it can cloud their ability to see their introverted brothers and sisters rightly.
Just as men and women are different, and cultures in warm climates differ from colder climates, introverts and extroverts (and the spectrum that exists) are unique from one another, and they both bring something different and needed to our culture. In reading Ephesians 2:11-22 I am reminded that it is the sinful nature of mankind to set up divisions among ourselves, but in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. We should not cultivate what makes us different and set it is a divider, but rather understand we are all unique and equipped by God to use the gifts He's given differently. The personality He has given each of us will then utilize those gifts differently. It is important we all serve the Lord how we believe is right and stop pushing people different from us to be just like us in how we serve and where we serve.
For example, social people who find great joy in being with others may be at risk for spiritualizing their own personalities to be one that aligns better with what they focus on in Scripture as the most important aspects of life and ministry.
This tendency can lead extroverts to wrongly thinking their way of 'doing life' is more holy, better, preferred, in short: RIGHT.
They tell introverts, or those who are secure enough to not have to have other people live their lives right alongside them, their way of living is not as good, not ideal, not as Christ-like or holy. In short, they tell them it is wrong.
What this reveals is sadly a reality in our extroverted culture, which is, that introverts are not valued for what they bring to the table. What they bring is seldom considered beyond a quick glance. Instead the extrovert spends greater time looking at how their way is superior, and they psychoanalyze their incorrectly perceived faults of introverts.
Language plays greatly into this. Notice how I worded the description of introverts to cast extroverts as insecure? I could have also characterized introverts as people who do not form deep relationships with people outside their immediate family, or people who find greater peace by being alone rather than in a group.
My point is this, there is a bit of insecurity and neediness, that if left unchecked, can rule an extrovert's life. They can develop a persona that is simply never satisfied. The amount of social interaction is never enough, and it can cloud their ability to see their introverted brothers and sisters rightly.
Just as men and women are different, and cultures in warm climates differ from colder climates, introverts and extroverts (and the spectrum that exists) are unique from one another, and they both bring something different and needed to our culture. In reading Ephesians 2:11-22 I am reminded that it is the sinful nature of mankind to set up divisions among ourselves, but in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. We should not cultivate what makes us different and set it is a divider, but rather understand we are all unique and equipped by God to use the gifts He's given differently. The personality He has given each of us will then utilize those gifts differently. It is important we all serve the Lord how we believe is right and stop pushing people different from us to be just like us in how we serve and where we serve.
A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.
Proverbs 18:2 NASВ
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