Christian Personality Talk

Well, what do ya know? A new way of talking Christian has hit churches and social media platforms hard. It’s cool. It’s new. It’s sometimes required. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s highly likely that you (and your church) are not that cool. It’s changed the way people talk to each other.

In a ministry team huddle, one person raises their hands to talk about their week and the struggles of being a faithful Christian. Another person listening belts out, “are you a 7?” Some of the not-so-cool people in the room are puzzled by the question. Those of us “in the know” are awaiting the answer.

Unable to stomach it much longer, I interject into the conversation. “You know that the Enneagram will give you different results based on your mood every time you take the test, right? You know that the Enneagram tells you what you’re like and not what you’re supposed to be, right?” And right there I’m labeled the killjoy. Welp, that’s fine.

The thought process goes something like this — if you want to understand the type of person you will do ministry with or “do life” with in a certain setting, then have everyone take a test. This test will reveal to the takers what their Christian personality is based on their assigned 4 digit number. The first number describes the normal you; the second number describes your best life; the third number describes you at your weakest point; and the fourth number rarely ever gets mentioned.

I’ve had people tell me that since landing on their main number they have wondered how to live life under the Enneagram label. It’s rather hilarious initially. Then I was hit with a sad piece of news. This same person wondering how to live took this question to a pastor. Of course, this pastor answered the question with the Word of God, right? Sadly no. Instead the pastor gives one of the most derelict answers by pointing to another Enneagram book that would help not only solve the question, but dig even deeper.

Here’s the main takeaway I’d like to offer: repent. If you find yourself to be an 8 with a wing 9 and then a 2, wonderful. Go read the results to understand why you were given those particular numbers. Then go read your Bible to determine if you’re any more like Jesus because of this test. I’m willing to bet because I’ve seen this with my very own eyes that far too many Christians have found their newest WWJD in the form of Enneagram, and yet refuse to repent of their lack of holiness and cling to Jesus. Now this may sound harsh, but many folks have bragged about this test and their results while never bringing up how any of this makes them more like Jesus. Instead it helps to create cliques. Imagine only 5s wanting to hangout because they really get each other. I’m just waiting for someone to hypothetically ask, ‘I wonder what Jesus’s Enneagram score would’ve been?’

Again, let’s not forget that all things are lawful, but not all things are useful. If these slew of personality tests don’t call us to repent and believe, then our attitudes are wrong. If these personality tests don’t remind us to not be conformed to the world but be transformed, then our attitudes are misguided on this thing.