The Four Temperaments: How God Made You for Spiritual Growth
Salve Maria! In this episode of the Spiritual Warfare Podcast, Fr. Arthur and Br. Justin explore one of the most important topics for personal and spiritual growth: the temperaments God gave us.
Understanding your temperament is not optional for serious Catholics. It affects your family life, religious life, leadership style, prayer life, and even how the devil tempts you.
What Is a Temperament?
A temperament is a natural, pre-moral disposition rooted in our human nature. It affects:
- Our emotional reactions
- The speed of our responses
- The strength of our passions
- The way we perceive reality
Temperament is not sin. It is not virtue. It is not grace. It is the “soil” God gave you. What you grow in that soil depends on you and on grace.
Temperaments are genetic gifts from God, though damaged by original sin. As St. Thomas Aquinas teaches, grace does not destroy nature, but perfects it.
The Four Classical Temperaments
The Church traditionally speaks of four major temperaments:
- Choleric
- Sanguine
- Melancholic
- Phlegmatic
No one is purely one temperament. Most people have a dominant temperament and a secondary one.
In this episode, the focus is on the choleric and the sanguine.
Extrovert vs Introvert: A Helpful Distinction
The choleric and sanguine tend to be more extroverted. The melancholic and phlegmatic tend to be more introverted.
A simple test:
- If social interaction energizes you → likely extrovert.
- If social interaction drains you → likely introvert.
The Choleric Temperament
Strengths of the Choleric
- Strong-willed
- Decisive and driven
- Natural leaders
- Mission-oriented
- High energy
- Logical and efficient
Many saints were choleric: St. Paul, St. Jerome, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Joan of Arc.
Weaknesses of the Choleric
- Pride
- Domination
- Impatience
- Harshness
- Difficulty taking orders
- Intolerance of inefficiency
Without grace, the choleric can become overwhelming and harsh. With grace, they become powerful instruments for the Church.
Spiritual Tools for the Choleric
- Delay correction (count to ten)
- Practice hidden acts of service
- Moderate reactions before speaking
The Sanguine Temperament
Strengths of the Sanguine
- Warm and friendly
- Optimistic
- Emotionally expressive
- Natural missionaries
- Good at forming relationships
Examples of sanguine saints include St. Philip Neri and possibly St. Francis of Assisi.
Weaknesses of the Sanguine
- Superficiality
- Inconstancy
- Pleasure-oriented
- Lack of discipline
- Vanity
- Fear of missing out
Their faith can become emotional without structure.
Spiritual Tools for the Sanguine
- Structured spiritual life
- Accountability
- Small, consistent penances
- Learning silence
Temperament vs Bad Temper
Temperament is not the same as bad temper.
Each temperament can express sin differently:
- Choleric: explosive domination
- Sanguine: emotional chaos
- Melancholic: resentment and withdrawal
- Phlegmatic: indifference and disengagement
Temperament explains tendencies. It does not excuse sin.
Can the Devil Exploit Your Temperament?
Yes. The devil understands human psychology extremely well. If you do not understand your temperament, he will use it against you.
Knowledge of your temperament becomes a weapon in spiritual warfare.
Which Temperament Is Best?
There is no best temperament.
Every temperament can reach heaven. Every temperament has saints. The key is cooperation with grace.
Final Takeaway
God gave you your temperament. It is not your excuse. It is your mission field.
Learn it. Discipline it. Perfect it with grace.
And use it for the glory of God.
