So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27
What does it mean to be created in the image of God?
This is a deep question, but an image is just a picture. In what way are we a picture of God? We are in physical bodies whereas God is Spirit, so it isn’t our physical bodies that show a picture of what God is like. We must have something internal that reflects God’s nature.
In a book entitled Created To Be His Help Meet, Debi Pearl (of “No Greater Joy” ministries at http://www.nogreaterjoy.org) talks about three “types” of men. She may not consider this a personality typing system, but I have found it helpful in the same way. She argues that all men reflect either the qualities of the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit.
The character of the Father, she says, is reflected by men who are commanders, leaders, delegators, and “big picture” people. Those created in the image of the Son are steady, consistent, loyal, reliable, and do the right thing day after day. Those who are visionaries, men with lots of ideas and dreams, prophet types who preach, invent, and take risks– these reflect the Holy Spirit.
Of course as these attributes are reflected in human men, they can also become liabilities. Mr. Command Man can be overbearing and detached. Mr. Steady can come across as boring and passive. Mr. Visionary can get overly focused on something unimportant or unrealistic. Mrs. Pearl explains how the wife of each type of man should respond to bring out the best in her husband while appreciating the ways in which he does reflect the goodness of God.
Such understanding can make a huge difference in a marriage. It can also guide us in parenting boys and in preparing daughters for choosing a suitable husband. It can even help us better appreciate the men in our church or at work.
Furthermore we are all created in the image of God. We all reflect some beautiful aspect of His personality. But only Jesus was the perfect “express image” of God (Hebrews 1:3). We are imperfect representations, which is exactly why we need each other– to complement each other; to fill in the gaps for each other.
When someone approaches life or work differently than I do, it can be very difficult to see how that’s a good thing. If I’m in a big hurry and the other person is not, I may find that annoying. Why don’t they feel the same sense of urgency that I do?? But that person may be looking at me and wondering why I seem to have so little of the peace of God that I am in such an irritable, anxious rush. This is just one example. There are countless opportunities throughout the day and throughout life to notice and learn to appreciate the differences in people.
The NLT renders 2 Corinthians 3:18 like this: So all of us who have had that veil [of disbelief] removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Being created in God’s image means we already reflect Him in some way. But as Christians we are “changed into” His image over time becoming “more and more like him.”
Part of becoming more like God is learning to see people as He sees them– as imperfect but with potential. I need to look for what others have to offer that perhaps I do not. Personality books can help with this. They can also help me become a better version of myself.
Still, the best mirror is the “perfect law of liberty” (James 1:25), and the best makeover artist is its Author, the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-13). If we allow God to shape us, we can have success in relationships no matter what personality we are!
“Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.” Proverbs 18:15 (The Message)
Dear God, I praise You for being everything that is good and glorious! I thank You for all of the interesting people You have placed in my life. Help me to relate to them with patience and appreciation for the ways that each of them reflects Your good character. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
by Christie Cole Atkins
Walk Worthy 