Austin Bible Church
The Active Man - Characteristics
The active man often has leadership ability. Peter was the spokesman for the disciples and had natural leadership abilities. John 6:66-69.
“As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God."” (John 6:66-69, NASB)
In four lists of the disciples, Peter is always mentioned first. Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Matt. 10:2-4; Acts 1:13-14.
“And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder"); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.” (Mark 3:16-19, NASB)
Peter was chosen first, but he was naturally aggressive. He worked with his hands and was sports oriented. Peter needed a challenge to keep going. John 21:3.
“Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3, NASB)
The active man can be aggressive and may appear to be more protective than others. Peter jumped into the sea as he could not wait for the boat to get there. John 21:7.
“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.” (John 21:7, NASB)
Peter operated with short bursts is the ear episode and the denial episodes. John 18:10; John 18:24-27.
“Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus.” (John 18:10, NASB)
“So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You are not also one of His disciples, are you?" He denied it, and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Peter then denied it again, and immediately a rooster crowed.” (John 18:24-27, NASB)
When time is on this hands, the active man may be rash, irritable, and hard to live with. Matt. 17:4.
“Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."” (Matthew 17:4, NASB)
The active man will tend to have a superiority complex, rather than an inferiority complex. Luke 22.
“But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!"” (Luke 22:33, NASB)
The Active Man - Occupational Hazards
Peter was the optimistic example of the active man. One of the occupational hazards of the active man is to promise more than they can perform. Luke 22:33.
“But he said to Him, "Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!"” (Luke 22:33, NASB)
The active man may talk far too much and be considered a motor mouth as was Peter when he denied our Lord for the first time. Luke 22:54-65.
“After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter was sitting among them. And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too." But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."” (Luke 22:55-57, NASB)
The active man may act impulsively or in irrational ways. Luke 22:49-50.
“When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.” (Luke 22:49-50, NASB)
The active man always seems to have a solution, but not always the right one. John 21:3.
“Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will also come with you." They went out and got into the boat; and that night they caught nothing.” (John 21:3, NASB)
When the active man has time on his hands, he gets busy. He may produce lots of activity, wind and noise, but little production. He can be temperamental. During the Transfiguration of our Lord, Peter first thought was that it would be great to build three monuments without really thinking first. Luke 9:27-36.
“And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah"—not realizing what he was saying.” (Luke 9:33, NASB)
It’s hard for the active man to just relax and learn Bible doctrine. For Peter, rather than just listening to instructions, he had to learn things the hard way. Peter had to learn many times through divine discipline. Luke 22.
Like Peter, the active man may have a very critical nature. He often finds it very difficult to respect authority. The active man may be fickle and can be impatient. John 13:1-11; John 21:7.
“Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord." So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put his outer garment on (for he was stripped for work), and threw himself into the sea.” (John 21:7, NASB)
Peter was prone to falling asleep when being taught Bible doctrine by our Lord. Matt. 26:40; Matt. 26:43; Matt. 26:45.
“And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?” (Matthew 26:40, NASB)
“Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.” (Matthew 26:43, NASB)
“Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Matthew 26:45, NASB)
The active man may be impetuous as was Peter when he saw our Lord walking on the water. Matt. 14:22-36.
“Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"” (Matthew 14:28-31, NASB)
The Passive Man - Characteristics
The passive man often does not desire to be a leader and may have to be exhorted to be stronger. 2 Tim. 2:1.
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1, NASB)
The passive man can be the indoor type who fits a suit better than work clothes, likes spectator sports, and would rather not get his hands dirty. The passive man may not outwardly appear as the masculine type, but Bible doctrine brings out the man in him. The passive man may not like to swear, hates to say damn, etc.
The passive man is, by definition, the non-aggressive type. When a matter needs correcting, he would rather forget about it or have someone else deal with it. 2 Tim. 2:3.
“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3, NASB)
The passive man tends to operate consistently, is content to work at one job all his life, live in the same area all of his life, stay married to the same wife regardless of the difficulties, is not restless, is a homebody.
The passive man tends to not require a challenge to keep going in that his goals may not be high enough. The passive man may not be disciplined, but does respond to messages on discipline. The passive man doesn’t mind having time on the hands and will read, watch TV, or putter around in a hobby. He doesn’t try to keep up with the Joneses. He may develop an inferiority complex because he feels he never seems to measure up. 2 Tim. 2:5; 2 Tim. 2:7.
“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” (2 Timothy 2:5, NASB)
“Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” (2 Timothy 2:7, NASB)
Bible doctrine does not change the personality. It just builds iron into the soul and gives them the functioning edification complex of the soul and divine good production in the spiritual life!
The Passive Man - Occupational Hazards
Timothy is the pessimistic guilt complex example here. Timothy was hesitant in promising because didn’t want to break a promise. 1 Tim. 1:18.
“This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight,” (1 Timothy 1:18, NASB)
Like Timothy, the passive man may talk too little and be the quiet thoughtful type. Timothy would let a situation drag on without being resolved rather than cause a disturbance and exercise his authority to resolve it. 1 Tim. 4:14.
“Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.” (1 Timothy 4:14, NASB)
The passive man is quite consistent, appears on the surface to not be ruffled, but is prone to generating ulcers from the stress. Timothy let his feelings remain bottled up to create stress. 1 Tim. 5:23.
“No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” (1 Timothy 5:23, NASB)
The passive man, like Timothy may appear sickly and always worried about some part of their anatomy not being right. He may think things through, but be afraid to act on solutions overtly. 1 Tim. 4:12.
“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:12, NASB)
Timothy’s indecision lead to procrastination. 1 Tim. 4:16.
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16, NASB)
The passive man often learns the easy way and is a studious type. He is content to be at home and study. However, it is hard for this type to meet the public or to be a salesman. 2 Tim. 2:15.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, NASB)
The passive man often has a live and let live nature, is not critical per se, and is more relaxed. The passive man may be prone to being lazy or not doing his share of work. He respects authority and tends to be a follower rather than a leader. Timothy’s relationship to Paul is an example.
The passive man is often devoted to wife, children, and relatives. He tends to love family reunions, but says little. This may make him naive. The passive man is often patient and loves his privacy. However, he does not often take a stand on issues. 1 Tim. 6:17.
“Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17, NASB)
The passive man is often loyal and tends to tell the truth when asked. 2 Tim. 4:16.
“At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.” (2 Timothy 4:16, NASB)
The passive man tends to stay awake when Bible doctrine is taught. He may not properly take his authority leadership home as he should. His wife may often wear the pants in the family because of his indecisiveness.