Enneagram and God
The Enneagram is a personality test broken into 9 varieties of personalities that are said to make up humanity. No number is superior to another; each type has its own strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and desires. There are so many controversies about the Enneagram and whether or not Christians should focus on or use it. Today, I am not here to debate the validity of the assessment or how much focus we should place on the tool. As with any worldly tool, device, or creation, God can and will use all things for his glory. We must understand that God is who defines and molds us, but the Enneagram personalities provide a starting point to helping us understand who we were made to be. I am a huge Enneagram Enthusiast because God used it as a vehicle to heal my marriage, personal pains, and trauma. The Enneagram helped me to see WHO I am and WHOSE I am.
I closely follow Beth McCord's breakdown of the Enneagram because she helps us see how God made us and how to rely on God for our weaknesses. Through her books, podcast, and social media, I found myself again after many years of back-to-back hardships. I have learned, as a 7, that God created me to be a social creature and created me to shine energy and joy; however, I cannot rely on people to fill the void in my life that God can only fulfill.
As I have studied the Enneagram closely, I have realized how this tool can represent God. We, as believers, represent the entire body of Christ. I cannot help but think that means more than just a physical arm and leg. I believe it means mind, body, and spirit. We are each uniquely and beautifully made in a way that when we come together, we can see a glimpse of the majesty of God.
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
One Body but Many Parts
12 There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. 13 We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. 14 So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.
15 Suppose the foot says, “I am not a hand. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body. 16 And suppose the ear says, “I am not an eye. So I don’t belong to the body.” By saying this, it cannot stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, how could it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how could it smell? 18 God has placed each part in the body just as he wanted it to be. 19 If all the parts were the same, how could there be a body? 20 As it is, there are many parts. But there is only one body.
21 The eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 In fact, it is just the opposite. The parts of the body that seem to be weaker are the ones we can’t do without. 23 The parts that we think are less important we treat with special honor. The private parts aren’t shown. But they are treated with special care. 24 The parts that can be shown don’t need special care. But God has put together all the parts of the body. And he has given more honor to the parts that didn’t have any. 25 In that way, the parts of the body will not take sides. All of them will take care of one another. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part shares in its joy.
27 You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it. This passage points out that we are uniquely and intentionally made to represent Christ. If we look closely at the Enneagram, we can see how even our personalities can create a picture of the qualities of God.
Each number is unique and has its own strengths. Each strength represents a characteristic of God the Father. I will give an overview of how each quality represents a quality of Christ, then follow up in subsequent posts with a detailed description of each number and how they represent our Lord.
Enneagram 1: The Perfectionist
Enneagram 1 types live for a high-moral code. They see the world in black and white, right and wrong. The Lord our God is holy and righteous. He sets the moral code and fully represents all things right.
Revelation 15:4
Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Enneagram 2: The Helper
Enneagram 2 types are motivated by their desire to help others and be someone others rely on. The Lord is our great helper. There are countless verses in scripture where people cry out to the Lord for help. He wants our dependence and is always reliable.
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Hebrews 13:5-6
Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
Enneagram 3: The Achiever
Enneagram 3s love to be the BEST in the room... at anything. They are competitive by nature and love to be noticed. Our God is truly the best and sovereign. He has the power, wisdom, and authority to do anything He chooses within His creation.
Colossians 1:16–17
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Enneagram 4: The Individualist
Our romantic individualist! 4s feel unique, emotionally present, and passionate. Our Lord is all of the above. There is NONE like him, and he chases after us with a fiery passion.
Isaiah 45: 5
I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me, there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,
Jeremiah 31:3
I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.
Enneagram 5: The Investigative Thinker
5s love knowledge. They are most comforted when they have researched a topic and can speak intelligently about it. When they speak, you be sure they understand and know what they are talking about. Although 5s cannot possibly have knowledge and intellect on all things, our God can and does. He is all-knowing.
Matthew 10: 29-30
What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Enneagram 6: The Loyalist
The Enneagram 6 person has a plan for everything and ensures that we are safe and prepared. Our Lord also has a plan and a purpose for us. He is in complete control.
Psalm 33:11
The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.
Likewise, the 6 is also very loyal to the people, friends, and family whom they love. Our God is so rich in loyalty; he CANNOT fail us.
Psalm 119:90
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. God's Word, along with His faithfulness will never be shaken. It is fixed and firm and completely trustworthy.
Enneagram 7: The Enthusiast
7s approach the world with wonder and excitement. They can see the beauty all around them because they choose not to focus on the negative. They represent God through the joy they exude. God is the one and only true joy giver.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Enneagram 8: The Protector
Our mighty protectors! 8s will do whatever ever it takes to protect their people, morals, and/or ideas. They fight for what they believe to be right. If you have an 8 in your life, you should feel safe and protected. 8s show us just how much God loves us, protects us, and fights for us.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
Enneagram 9: The Peaceful Mediator
The Enneagram 9 person avoids conflict and constantly seeks peace for themselves and others. They are great at seeing all sides of a situation and can help resolve tumultuous scenarios. Jesus came so we might have peace. This peace that 9s seeks and represents comes from the Lord.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
More than a Number
I love the picture of God that is painted through each of our personalities. Just as we are more than one of these numbers, God is also so much more. It is neat; however that he chooses to reveal parts of himself through us, his creation.
If you want to know more about the Enneagram, visit Beth McCord's website at https://www.yourenneagramcoach.com/. On this website you can take an assessment to start your journey to finding who God made you to be.
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