Enneagram: Wisdom or Wack?

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

There is a trend of thought that is sweeping the internet: The Enneagram.

If this is a new word for you – I promise it’s not gibberish. But rather, it’s a personality test that has been around forever, but has in recent years, exploded onto the pop culture scene — thanks in part to becoming trendy podcast fodder.

Well, one rainy Thursday night, I caved and decided to take this test that I have heard people obsess over. I spent the evening answering random, repetitive questions about my personality, how I deal with people, and see the world.

And I’ve gotta tell you — not only was my result incredibly accurate, but it turns out that the Enneagram is actually a powerful tool we can utilize in our walk with Christ.

Now, you may be scratching you head. And yes — I was too. I mean, let’s be honest — the podcasts that typically talk about the Enneagram Test are hosted by “spiritual but not religious” millennials that keep crystals in their bras to fend off bad energy.

Using it as a tool for Christianity? How do I figure?

I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s go back to the actual test. There are nine different personality types.

Type 1: The Reformer
Type 2: The Helper
Type 3: The Achiever
Type 4: The Individualist
Type 5: The Investigator
Type 6: The Loyalist
Type 7: The Enthusiast
Type 8: The Challenger
Type 9: The Peacemaker

I am a “Three Wing Two.” But actually, I am exactly a tie between a Type 3 and a Type 2 — both were precisely 86%.

But the thing about the Enneagram Types is that they each have a specific need and specific fear that is characteristic to their personality.

So for my Types — As a Type 3, my basic fear is “of being worthless” and my basic need is to “feel valuable and worthy.” And as a Type 2, my basic fear is “being unworthy of being loved.” And my basic need is “to feel loved.” I mean…how on the nose is THAT?!

I mean — if you were to boil down the origins of the anorexia in my past, and what — quote-unquote — “caused” it — it was my distorted belief that I was unworthy of love. But I believed that lie, literally enough to die for.

Jeez Louise, I shoulda just taken the enneagram test! Would have saved a boat load of money on treatment! — Juuuuuuust kidding.

But that’s the thing about the Enneagram — it tells you, yes: about your personality traits, and your motivations, and compatibilities and aptitudes and weaknesses.

But — it also reveals our tragic flaws, which is incredibly important to identify in our walk with Christ.

We are all the heroes in our own story. And, ask any high schooler in English class, they’ll confirm that every hero has a tragic flaw that, if left unchecked, can lead to their demise. I mean — hello — have you heard my story??

But this tragic flaw — it is what stands in our way between us and Christ. It is the hurdle of sin that we must continually strive to surrender to Christ, for Him to redeem.

You see, yes — we were all made in the beautiful and perfect image of God. And we all take on different reflections of His heart and His spirit. And the Enneagram really captures the different ways we express that.

But as Christians, we can use this test to illuminate those potential cracks in our soul-foundation, that our specific personality trait may be susceptible to.

For example: As a Type 3, I strive to be affirmed and to do my best. Which can be healthy, and lead to confidence, and ambition and motivation. But it can also lead to pride, and being too image conscious, or feeling that one’s value is performance or output-based.

And again — hello — could have saved years of hard work in therapy had I just known this.

But there is real wisdom in knowing that which has the potential to cause a chasm between us and God.

We are called in Ephesians, to put on the armor of God every day. But what if one of the things we’re defending our temple against, is ourself?

The Enneagram is one way to help do just that.

I’m not going to lie, I had always kind of rolled my eyes when I heard people talk about the Enneagram. Like — Oh, what a bunch of new age mumbo-jumbo. Of course, self-obsessed millennials would fall in love with a personality test — about themselves.

But the truth of the matter is, it is a really helpful tool. And not just for ourselves, but also to gain insight into the deeply held needs and fears of our loved ones, too.

Because, no matter how well put together one may seem on the outside, every single one of us has something in our lives that threatens our relationship with Christ. We all have a tragic flaw that can come between us and Christ if we’re not diligent.

And you know what? I’m grateful that we have this tool to help identify what that tragic flaw is.

Because knowledge is power.

What do you think of the Enneagram Test? Have you taken it? Was it accurate?

Sound off in the comments, I’m really super curious!

And if you’d like to take the personality test, you can take it here!

And for a great book about the Enneagram – Click here!

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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168 thoughts on “Enneagram: Wisdom or Wack?”

  1. When I was doing the bible course in Singapore, they did have a session where we had to answer a series of questions for determining our personalty traits.
    Never understood it result myself. If this test is indeed as accurate as you say, then I think that I may give it a shot.

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  3. I love personality tests. I haven’t taken this one though. It helps me to understand myself and those around me. I might try it. This is the deal, we are all created in his image, but each with only a few of his traits. It takes the whole body of Christ to make up the bride. So we will all be different and are designed to need one another.

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  4. Hey!

    So I just wanted to attach a link I found on Catholic Answers in regards to the Enneagram( I had been advised to use one from a priest years ago, but after looking more into it I chose not to) and I think it’s worth reading. Especially the part about what the Vatican released in response to enneagrams:

    https://www.catholic.com/qa/why-is-the-enneagram-considered-harmful

    I think getting to know our personality type can be an amazing help, but it looks like the enneagram is a bit misleading.

    God bless!

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    1. Oh thank you so much for looking into this and sharing your findings! I can’t wait to see what the Vatican says! Hugs and love xox

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  5. I did the test and it says my primary number is 1. It’s true as stated above satan has taken things that are on the surface innocent and slightly twisted to mingle enough error into the majority of truth so he can wean us in other directions. My results are fairly correct and that’s not surprising as satan knows a lot about us. Having said that we have to be alert to his cunning and that’s where the Bible comes into the picture. I don’t think psychological tests are satanic at all, but if this test leads into company with his henchmen its the association we need to be scared of not the test.

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    1. Hey Ian! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. You’re right – we’ve gotta be alert. Glad you found this interesting and took the test! Hugs and love xox

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  11. very interesting! I took the test and the results showed that i’m 81% type 4, 80% type 6, 75% type 1, and 72% type 5 before things get into the 60s. I’m definitely not at type 8 or 3 as i scored a 25% and 31% respectively on those. For the most part they are true. Thanks for the post, Caralyn!

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  12. I think I must live under a rock! LOL! I had not heard of this. I took the test…75% type 2 and 62% type 1, a giver and a perfectionist! I saved the info so I could read more later. I truly relate to the “giver” part and some of the perfectionist. I’m interested in comparing this to another test I took a while back and see how they compare. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Hi Kimmy! thanks so much for sharing your results! it really is interesting to see the results!! glad this resonated with you! hugs oxox

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  15. This is so true, I’m 2 w 3 so I relate so much to you, and havent been diagnosed with anorexia but i definitely have it, and as i thought about how many times people try to help me, I don’t feel worthy or deserving of the help so I don’t let them help and/or I don’t feel people love me for who I am but would If I change how I look, it only has gotten worse, I dont know how to change that though. Any thoughts

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    1. Hi Natalie, thank you so much for sharing your heart. I have been there, my friend — feeling undeserving or unworthy of help. But that was my ED talking and telling me lies. Because the fact is, you and I deserve life in ABUNDANCE, and no ED should stand in our way. I think just you writing this comment and revealing this part of your heart is a huge step. And I’d encourage you to talk to someone about this — a therapist is a great place to start, because he or she will have local resources for you. Giving yourself permission to leave the ED in the past, and permission to seek help to do so is difficult, but you have got this. It is YOUR life — not ED’s. YOURS. And ED is trying to steal it. Don’t let it. Reclaim your life. You deserve it. And I am cheering for you, my friend. Sending you big big hugs xox

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  16. Thank you so much, It actually was your blog that helped me understand what was happened and gave me the words to vocie, my struggles with my parents. My parents where separated when I was 2.5 or 3 I don’t really remember much much it has greatly affect me, but I’m so scared, to let go! I hard core believe, Its my fault, and always blame myself for all the icky things in this world, but the one kind of love I can accept is from animal’s so I might be getting a service dog, or and ESA.

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    1. Thanks Natalie!! Oh wow I am humbled and touched by that. That’s really incredible how you’ve been able to identify that – it takes some true introspection. Very inspiring. I hope you get that ESA!! Hugs and love xox

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  18. Cara, I am so thankful for you. I said I would never take this test. I started to read your article and was convicted to take the test. I am a 8-1-3. I am still processing the results. Thank you for posting this awesome information. I am thankful for you. Knowledge is so powerful and now we are armed, we can continue to ask God to reveal things to us.

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    1. Oh my gosh you are too kind, thank you Ada. I’m glad this encouraged you to take the test! You’re right- knowledge is powerful! And asking God to use it for His benefit is life changing!! Hugs and love xox

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  19. The Enneagram changed— or gave great depth to my understanding of God’s love. As a type one, my driving motivation is that I can always be better and the unconscious driving motivation in my walk with God was that if I don’t continue getting better He will take away His love. Of course, I knew that wasn’t true, but it turns out that deep down I really believed it. The enneagram helped me see it and brought and incredible freedom to my life. God truly offers His love freely, I didn’t earn it to begin with and no measure of accomplishment is required to keep it. 💙

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    1. how awesome Chris! I’m so glad the test gave you that insight in your relationship with God. I think that’s one of the most powerful aspects about the test! amen! no matter how hard we try, we cannot earn His love! it is freely given! glad you stopped by! hugs xo

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  20. I first heard about the Enneagram Personality Test while listening to a Bob Goff podcast. I looked it up but at first I was put off because I thought it was another “far-out” type of test. However, reading your post has me interested in taking the test. I’ll let you know how that turns out! Thanks for your post.

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    1. Thanks so much Linda! Yes! I had a bit of the same experience – learning more about it gave me a new perspective!! Glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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