Why I Changed my Mind About the Enneagram (& Other Personality Tests)

A Series of Unpopular Opinions | #2 Why I Changed my Mind About the Enneagram (& Other Personality Tests)

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Myers-Briggs, Strengthfinders, Enneagram, Oh My!

These are but a few of the personality test options out there, but these three might be the most widely recognized.

My first foray into the world of personality tests began with the MBTI–Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Several years ago I had a few different friends ask me what “type” I was. I wasn’t familiar with Myers-Briggs at that point, so I had no idea, but having been given enough information to pique my curiosity, I poked around online to see if I fit neatly into one of the sixteen possible “types” everyone was talking about. I also wanted to better understand all the hype, so into Myers-Briggs, I dove.

Sure enough, after taking a test (or two…or three?!) I seemed to identify rather strongly with the label given in my results. Not wanting to be put in a box, I didn’t place too much emphasis on this newfound type, but it was interesting and allowed me to participate in the rapidly growing conversations about personality types. It seemed everyone and their mom suddenly needed to know their type to understand where they fit in their circles of friends, work, and community.

As I listened to conversations and read various articles, I gradually learned more about different kinds of personality tests. However, I largely left it at that.

Until this year. (Stay-at-home orders 2020 = too much time to wander down rabbit trails…Am I right?)

Enter: The Enneagram

While confined to my own home with too much of said time on my hands, several people in my online circle were talking about The Enneagram. I had heard of it and learned which type many of my friends were (apparently this was the new MBTI and everyone now had to know their enneagram number). I’d been hearing about the enneagram long before this year but had resisted taking a quiz.

Restlessness and boredom were the impetus for me finally giving in. With some uncertainty– a small gut feeling I wish I had listened to–I sought out an online test. Confused about the results I dug a little deeper, then a little deeper again. Each time I took a different enneagram test I got a different result. Oddly, this completely frustrated me and resulted in me spending way too much time trying to figure out what type I was. Admittedly, I am a researcher and tend to take deep dives into topics that interest me, but this seemed to be a confounding waste of time that sucked me right in for a little while.

Adding to the mix, I accidentally downloaded a book about personality tests called Reading People (I say accidentally because I actually thought the book was about…books… and people who read them. *Sigh.* In my defense, the author is a book blogger, so it made sense…kind of? *face-palm* And yes, I already know I’m a nerd! I digress).

I quickly discovered my mistake but decided to keep reading anyway. Along with the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs, the author covers other tests such as Strenghthfinders, Kiersey’s Temperaments, and even includes the Five Love Languages– it was an interesting read, but after reading an entire book about personality tests (and taking most of them) I started thinking…

• Why are we so enamored with personality tests?
• What is the big draw to understanding self so deeply?
• Why do we feel the need to categorize ourselves and others?
• Is this ok…is it even healthy?

Before examining those questions, I want to share the number one reason I started digging deeper into the enneagram.

Digging Deeper

A while ago, a friend posted a link with a list of things associated with New Age/Occult. Most of the items on the list did not surprise me, as I had already discovered and read about most of them previously– but I was surprised to see the enneagram listed there.

Everyone I know who has talked about the enneagram and taken the test claims to be Christian (myself included). If it ties to anything New Age or Occult, why didn’t we know about it? Or, if some did know about it, why are they still participating? (I’ve even seen enneagram touted as a resource specifically for Christians, and have heard of pastors preaching entire sermon series based on the types.)

I had to know more.

What I discovered in my research was enough to make me rethink my willingness to participate in the enneagram.

There are enough occult connections in the enneagram shape alone to convince me. The following symbols and shapes are all included in the enneagram’s signature icon (click linked sources for a detailed explanation):

• Nine-pointed Star (Used by the Baha’i Faith–all paths lead to God)
• Alchemy and Sacred Geometry( closely relates to occult divination)
• Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
• The Gnostic Circle
• Vortex Mathematics
• The Triangle
• The Hexagon/Hexagram
• The Circle

Learning about all the enneagram occult/new age connections requires some time and effort, and I won’t attempt to address it all here. Others have already done so and explained it better than I can, so in addition to the links above, I’ve linked to some sources at the end where you can explore more for yourself (it’s worth the effort!). But I will say, that having done the deep dive myself and explored many articles and videos, I cannot in good conscience participate in something that was given through automatic writing (see minute 3:45).

A simple investigation into the Enneagram reveals that its theories of personality are based on esoteric teachings and an occult worldview. The clear origin and purpose of the Enneagram is to initiate a Gnostic spiritual awakening to one’s alleged true divine Self, which is in itself an occult initiation. This is the claim and goal of virtually all occult and New Age teachings. The purpose of such initiation is a shift in consciousness, a change in the way one views reality — God, the world, others, and self.

(Source)

After everything I discovered about the enneagram, I returned to my initial questions regarding personality tests in general and continued pondering and praying.

A Search for Identity

What I have come to understand, and believe is the reason personality tests have become so popular, is that we are all searching for identity and long to be known.

Seeing ourselves “pegged” in black and white gives us a [false] sense that we are known. We may also feel we know others better if we know how to categorize them.

Also, knowing where we fit just might make us feel better about our sinful tendencies as we are conveniently offered the excuse “It’s just your type!”

Counterfeit and Distraction

Additionally, we are attracted to the supernatural because God is supernatural, and we are created to desire him. Satan knows this and is a pro at counterfeiting and taking something good (like desiring the supernatural in respect to God) and skewing it just enough to become deceptively harmful (like the enneagram). I believe that is why the enneagram has exploded in popularity. Darkness masquerading as light is usually attractive– isn’t that the point?

If nothing else, all of these tests are a distraction, pulling us away from what we should be spending our time seeking after.

Our identity should be found in Christ, not in manmade classification systems.

There may be some benefit to understanding our personality’s strengths and weaknesses, but to what end?

“Yes, we all have been given gifts, and we all have talents, but that is not the final word about any of us. Who we are in Christ is the real identity we must magnify.”

-Al Erickson, Parents Arise! Grandparents Arise!

Can you imagine if we spent the same kind of time studying how to embrace our God-given identity and conforming ourselves to the image of Christ as we pour into understanding the personality types? Learning, and subsequently developing, who we are in Christ has much more lasting value and will help us infinitely more in our relationships and careers than any enneagram number ever can.

Only God’s word can give us an accurate view of our true natures–sinful and in need of a Savior–and provides the path to becoming who we were created to be– Image Bearers of our Creator.

The temptation to identify ourselves as introvert or extrovert; melancholy or sanguine; judging or perceiving; or any of these personality types is great. We get a false sense of knowing ourselves and understanding others. But we will only ever truly know ourselves when we seek to know God. The more we know who God is, the better we see ourselves for who we really are. ~Rosilind Jukic

We all have sinful tendencies regardless of our personality types because we are human.

We all need redemption.

And we can all overcome by the blood of the Lamb.

An enneagram number or any other test result should never be what we let define us.

A type should never contain us. God often calls us to do things that will bring us out of our comfort zones. If we allow types and enneagram numbers to define us, we may have a harder time stepping out in faith when God asks for something that might not fit our classification. But he is a champion of equipping the called, not calling the equipped.

I dare say, that life is far more adventurous and ultimately fulfilling when we do not live married to a manmade (or potentially demonic) classification system.

As you’re reading this, do you find yourself wanting to defend the Enneagram and other personality tests?

May I gently invite you to ask yourself why? 

If you have aligned yourself to the enneagram, I am guessing you’re feeling pretty defensive right now.

I would like to encourage you to pray about it. Sincerely ask God to reveal the truth, and then do some research. Begin with the links I’ve shared above and below.

It might be hard to separate from something everyone is doing– something that has been a fun way to connect with others, but if there’s a chance it is leading down the wrong path, is it really something you need to cling to?

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2

In Conclusion: Should Christians Use the Enneagram and other personality tests?

Personality tests may have some value, but putting our efforts into transforming into the likeness of Christ by renewing our minds, will change us and equip us far better.

The enneagram may seem harmless, but I believe it is opening a door to the New Age, which isn’t harmless at all.

The trend may have some appeal, but it is dangerous to be so caught up in identifying ourselves when we should be focusing on serving Jesus and those around us.

I have repented of my willingness to focus so much on myself and wasting so much time taking tests when I could have been spending time in the Word, or doing something with eternal value. Being so self-focused is not healthy, nor right, no matter how popular it has become.

I am not sharing this to judge, rather, because I care. I have changed my mind about something I once thought harmless, but now believe it is not. I pray you will consider changing your mind, too.

The next time I’m asked my number or type, I hope only to point to Christ.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:2

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3

Next in the Series of Unpopular Opinions:

• What I’ve Learned from Quitting Facebook and Instagram

What do you think? Should Christians use the Enneagram? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

References:

3 Biblical Reasons Christians Should Say No to the Enneagram

The Occult History of the Enneagram

Tell Me Who I Am, O Enneagram

THE ENNEAGRAM: A SATANIC OCCULT SPIRITUAL TOOL WITHIN THE CHURCH

THE ENNEAGRAM GPS: GNOSTIC PATH TO SELF

Beyer, Catherine. “Syncretism – What Is Syncretism?” Learn Religions, Aug. 26, 2020, learnreligions.com/what-is-syncretism-p2-95858.