Deferred gratification is an important skill for spiritual growth and character development. The Marshmallow Test examined the resolve of four year old children to resist a single marshmallow (immediate gratification) in exchange for two marshmallows later (deferred gratification). Daniel Goleman's 1995 book, Emotional Intelligence: Why it Can Matter More Than IQ, essentially replaced the idea of IQ as the standard of excellence in life with EQ (emotional intelligence) as a more accurate predictor of life success. EQ can be equated with a body of skills represented by character or a self-disciplined, self-motivated, virtuous life. Many biblical examples demonstrate deferred gratification, an important psychological and spiritual skill in resisting temptation or impulse and living a successful Christian life. May we all have high spiritual EQ and pass all spiritual marshmallow tests!
