In recent years the Enneagram has become a popular tool for
understanding personality differences. The name comes from the geometric figure
created by the nine personality types. The origins of the system are debated,
but there is some indication that parts of it go back several centuries,
perhaps even to the original “seven deadly sins.” Some Christians label the
Enneagram as dangerous or demonic, but that is a stretch. There are a number of
Christian organizations that use the Enneagram in counseling, coaching, and teaching.
However, it has also been labeled a pseudoscience because it is so subjective. My
efforts here are simply to share a few observations from things I’ve read and
heard from such sources.
No tool is infallible. Every personality test, spiritual
gifts inventory, and aptitude test is a creation of man and therefore limited
in understanding. Whether you’re using the Enneagram, Myers-Briggs, or DISC,
you may find some useful information, but it’s going to miss a lot because each
of us is unique. And even though it may tell you how you tend to respond to
various scenarios, it probably won’t tell you why that’s the case.
It can be easy to delve so deep into understanding the tool
that you don’t actually benefit from it, and you may end up wasting a lot of
time that could be better spent in the spiritual disciplines. With the
Enneagram in particular, there are types, subtypes, wings, and arrows that all
have different meanings and implications for individuals. Some podcasters can
sound quite dogmatic in describing these, as if it is a mathematical certainty
that A+B+C=D for every person. All that should be taken with a grain of salt. It
would be more accurate to say that every person has a bit of all nine Enneagram
types, though one or two will be dominant. From those generalities, you can make
some personal applications.
Personality profiles should not be used as an excuse for bad
behavior or to put anyone in a box. “I’m a 5 and ISTJ, so that’s just the way I
am.” At times that may be equivalent to saying, “I’m just a sinner, so leave me
alone!” Your personality type does not define you, nor does it keep you from growing
and changing. Knowing about your personality traits can be helpful if it shows
you areas where you may need help, humility, and perhaps even repentance. It
can alert you to times when you are reacting to particular situations out of
anger, anxiety, or shame, rather than fully trusting God and loving others.
When you are aware of your tendencies toward sin or unhealthy reactions, you
can take those issues to Scripture, to God, and to other Christians who can
help you learn better ways of coping with stress and temptation.
In addition, these tools can also help groups relate better
to one another. We all tend to make assumptions about how others will react to
a situation, and we may even try to assign motives to them. But if we remember
that John is an external processor and Sue is an internal processor, we’re more
likely to give them some grace when they don’t immediately agree on a plan. Or
if we know Tim hates conflict and Sally needs affirmation that she’s doing a
good job, we’ll try harder to encourage them as best we can.
Everyone wants to feel that they are known and loved for who
they are, not shamed into trying to be something different. We also want to
feel we are not alone. I was particularly encouraged by a podcast discussion
between a few Enneagram 5s as they voiced things I have often thought but never
dared say aloud. As C.S. Lewis put it, “What? You too? I thought I was the only
one.” Opening doors to deeper discussions is often a necessity in Christian community.
It’s all too easy to keep one another at a distance out of fear or laziness.
God knows our hearts far better than we do, and He’s always
working to conform us to the image of Christ. Personality tests may be one tool,
among many others, that can point us in that direction, assuming they are used
wisely and in submission to Scripture. They certainly cannot replace sound biblical
teaching and counsel within the Body of Christ as God intended.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up,
just as you are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11).
© 2025 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
