Introverts and Extroverts

In this episode, we delve into how Introvert & Extrovert personality traits and how this affect marriages.

“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed”

The terms "introvert" and "extrovert" were devised by Dr Carl Jung in the 1920s. The common misconception around these terms is that people think that "introverts" are shy, while "extroverts" are "outgoing" -- there are outgoing introverts and shy extroverts. The main difference between these two temperaments comes down to how energy is gained. Extroverts gain energy by surrounding themselves with others, while Introverts gain energy and recharge by spending time alone.

There’s a 3rd category, called Ambiverts, which are smack in the middle between the two.

Introverts are more aware of & sensitive to external stimulation – too much and it overwhelms, just right and they feel comfortable

Extroverts, less sensitive to external stimulation, means they thrive on lots of activity, people, talking etc and are wired to seek external reward stimulation.

Well-Known INTROVERTS:

Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Al Gore, Mark Zuckerberg, Hillary Clinton, Michael Jordan, Steve Wozniak, Elon Musk, JK Rowling, Eleanor Roosevelt, Audrey Hepburn, Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi.

Well-Known EXTROVERTS:

Bill Clinton, Oprah, Martin Luther King Jnr, Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, Steve Jobs, Margaret Thatcher…and everybody on TikTok.

BIBLE EXTROVERTS?

PETER: He was often front and centre in the action:

He’s first in - Matthew 4:18 “And he (Jesus) said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they (Peter and his brother Andrew) left their nets and followed him. ”
Peter is fast to jump in the water in Matthew 14:29 “… So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus”
Peter doesn’t ponder – he’s fast to ask questions, to understand Jesus’ teaching “But Peter said to him (Jesus), ‘Explain the parable to us.’” Matthew 15:15
Peter is not going to hold back, rebuking even Jesus. Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee”.
Peter goes to extremes John 13:8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also [my] hands and [my] head!’”
Peter takes up the fight John 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear”

DAVID: He was often front and centre, and never one to back down from a fight. He was a natural leader and became the King.

2 Samuel 6:13 And it was [so], that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. 14 And David danced before the LORD with all [his] might; and David [was] girded with a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

BIBLE INTROVERTS?

MOSES presents as a clear introvert

Numbers 12:3 Now the man Moses [was] very meek
Exodus 3:1 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, [even] to Horeb.
Exodus 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
God also goes on to partner him with Aaron, who is likely an Extrovert, in fact tells that Aaron will speak to the people
Exodus 4:16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, [even] he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God.

JESUS? More likely an Ambivert

He was clearly involved in any kind of group situation: speaking to crowds of thousands, teaching and leading His small group of disciples, initiating tough one-on-one conversations.

He was sociable, as well as having a calming, peaceful nature – all while being able to front up to leadership of His day

The key here is – where did Jesus go to recharge?

Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard [of it], he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard [thereof], they followed him on foot out of the cities.
Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
Whether he spend time alone to recharge, or to spend time with his Father, what we do see in Jesus is the best traits, the absolute strengths, of both introverts and extroverts.