Can Knowing about the Enneagram Help Me in My Christian Journey?
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I heard about the Enneagram a few years ago when people started posting things on social media asking, “Which number are you?” I figured it was some new pop-culture personality test and didn’t give it much thought. Until various authors I respect in the writers group I belong to, the American Christian Fiction Writers, started posting things about how the Enneagram was helping them craft their characters. That made me pay attention.
Number 6: The Loyalist
This personality type is security-oriented. Extremely responsible and loyal, they tend to be committed, and they often explore all options and analyze everything that can possibly go wrong before jumping into a task. The type can also experience a lot of anxiety.
Number 7: The Enthusiast
This personality type can be a ton of fun. They’re enthusiastic and excitable, with much curiosity about many different types of things. There often on the go, and sometimes can appear scattered or distracted. They can be spontaneous and love having the freedom to explore and do many different things.
Number 8: The Challenger
The personality type of The Challenger is one who feels deep dissatisfaction with injustice and oppression and often feels compelled to stand up for what they believe in. This type often jumps in for the underdog or speaks up when no one else will. They can be determined and sometimes come across as oppositional, but it’s not because they are “a bully” by any means. Rather, they want to set things right in the world and believe they can play an important role in justice.
Number 9: The Peacemaker
This personality type is all about going with the flow. They often agree with others simply to make peace. They mediate situations, smooth over disgruntled feelings in group dynamics, and tend to be very easy-going.
Obviously these are types, not boxes or compartments we are locked into. We — God-designed, beautiful, precious souls — are so much more than mere “personality traits.” But most of us do fall into a particular type, or at least one type more than others.
Knowing how we tend to be in life and among people can teach us a lot about ourselves. It can help us recognize what motivates us and understand what can often tempt us. For example, some types are motivated by feelings, pride, or selfish desires more than others. Others are motivated by fear, or have trouble controlling their anger, even if they don’t think they’re angry about anything at all. Knowing ourselves deeply can help us dig into why we experience certain temptations.
It also helps us love ourselves better. It’s important to remember that God created humans in God’s image. Therefore, each of these personality types is, in essence, part of God’s master personality. God is all of these things and more, and together we all comprise one big multifaceted person — that is, the body of Christ. As the apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
Knowing our personality types can also help us understand how we relate to others in our world. It can explain the behavior of those close to us, or help us address conflicts in our relationships. For example, we might realize our spouse is a certain type, our parent is another type, and our child is a third. Understanding their types can help make us more patient and tolerant of who they are, and also perhaps help us hold them accountable in a better way.
Reading over my basic rundown is not meant to tell you everything you need to know about the Enneagram, but rather to whet your appetite to know more if you feel God nudging you toward greater self-exploration or greater understanding about your relationships. In addition to The Road Back To You, there are a host of other Enneagram books available.
I encourage you to visit your local library or bookseller to learn more.
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7 Ways to Ease Loneliness and Cultivate Christian Friendships
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