The Enneagram - My Honest Thoughts - DO THE THING MOVEMENT PODCAST

The Enneagram - My Honest Thoughts

9/9/2019

I have to say, this whole Enneagram-personality-test-thing has brought about a lot of hype. I've always loved personality tests and learning more about how I'm wired and how I can improve. I've done them all - Myers Briggs, DISC, Strengths Finders, etc. They're all good and very helpful. I can honestly say the Enneagram has been the most helpful test of its kind in terms of truly capturing the nuances of why I do what I do. It helped Dustin and I a lot when we were dating to understand the place the other was coming from. It's helped me better understand how to approach conversations with other important people in my life as well. Before reading any further (as a starting point if you haven't already taken the test), please take the free Enneagram test so you can begin learning about your type. To understand where some of what I'm saying is coming from (for those of you who've taken the test), I'm a 3 wing 2 (Achiever + Helper).

If you don't hear me say anything else in this post, hear me say this:

The Enneagram does not excuse my sin, it better informs it.

- Rebecca Dotson George

Just as much as the next Enneagram geek, I've found myself easily rationalizing my behavior due to my number or my wing.

I'm not prone to resting well. I'm a 3. We go-go-go all the time. That's just what we do!

OR

I just tend to be a chameleon. That's what three's do. They adapt and communicate on the level of those around them; thus, never really knowing who they truly are.

I think, even subconsciously, making these statements defeats the entire purpose of a test whose aim is to help us gain self awareness and learn how to better communicate with those around us. And really, the bottom line for me is what does it look like for me to take an honest look at where these behaviors and thought patterns are not Christ-like so I can pinpoint areas to repent of sin and reach for a more-like-Jesus-version-of-myself?

Last week I received a brilliant question via Instagram when I asked for what you'd like to know about the Enneagram.

What does each Enneagram type need to do + know + accept in order to become more like Jesus?

I've been praying over how to tackle this in a way that is truth-seeking and respectful of the fact that, as followers of Christ, we are all seeking to become more in the likeness of Him each day. I've chosen a couple verses that I pray will encourage each type in their journey of becoming more like Him. Feel free to use these as a prayer guide to for yourself or a loved one's "type".

Feel free to comment at the end of the post with your type and what additional verses you feel might speak truth into the lives of others who identify with your number!

One - The Perfectionist

Philippians 4:6 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

I notice that my Ones have a tendency to worry a lot. We all have those moments but I love the power of this verse! Be anxious about NOTHING but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication WITH thanksgiving let you requests be made known to Him. Meaning: we can come to God with any request or need. Remember, we are talking to the Lord God of the Universe!

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

We all fall short of God's standard. That's why He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we would have the opportunity to trust in Him, have our sins forgiven and spend all eternity worshipping Him in heaven one day. Remember that is true of every person you speak to today (including the way you speak to yourself!). We are all in the process of becoming more like Christ and in need of being shown grace.

Two - The Helper

Matthew 5:37 - Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.

A lot of my Twos really struggle with learning to say no and creating boundaries. Know that in order to be able to fully step into the spaces in our lives where God has called us to serve, we will have to learn how to prioritize and say no to some things so we can say yes to the best things!

Isaiah 43:25 - I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Do you struggle with the concept of being forgiven? Is it hard to imagine that because of Jesus finished work on the cross, when we repent of our sin He remembers it no more? There is so much power in this truth and one that twos often need to be reminded of. What do you need to ask God's forgiveness over and slip out of the pattern of guilt and shame that so easily can entangle us?

Three - The Achiever

Galatians 1:10 - For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Threes tend to do all of the things. A great heart check is to make sure that you are not seeking the approval of man in your actions, works or achievement. A good question to ask yourself is, "Is is building God's kingdom or my own?"

1 Corinthians 10:31 - So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Are your actions and motives seeking to show God glory? Seek to be quick to turn honor and praise to Him in what you achieve and seek after (most importantly that those same things are in line with His purpose for you life: to make Him known).

Four - The Romantic

Psalm 139:13-14 - For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Fours worry a lot about abandonment and thinking there is something essential lacking in them. That is simply not true. God will never leave or forsake us and he created and knitted us together in our mother's womb! We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

1 Corinthians 12:4 - There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

Most fours are extremely creative. We shouldn't neglect our gifts (1Timothy 4:14) but use them to our fullest potential to bring God glory. Most fours are self-conscious about their creativity and gifts. Those thoughts are nothing more than insecurity from the enemy seeking to steal, kill and destroy anything that would bring God glory.

Five - The Investigator

Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

My fives tend to prefer to take care of themselves, process events long after they occur and they tend to keep their "inner circle" pretty small. There's nothing wrong with these things but I pray the truth of being able to rest fully in the Lord is a powerful reminder to those of you who identify as a five. Take His yoke upon you, learn from Him and you will find rest for your soul.

Psalm 139:16-17 - Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!

Sometimes fives feel (or even choose to be) invisible. They prefer to be in social situations that are smaller in size and generally speaking pour into the lives of a select few people. Know that you are not invisible to God. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Take confidence in this truth! In moments where you might feel awkward or uncomfortable stepping into God's unique calling for you, remember He created you and fully equipped you in advance to serve Him (Ephesians 2:10).

Six - The Loyalist

Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

Sixes often will have a difficult time trusting others. It's easy for their minds to wander to "when the shoe might drop" or the "rug will be pulled from underneath them". Know that you when we fully trust in the Lord and the finished work of Jesus on the cross to forgive us of our sins, the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out and we are a new creation in Christ. We can always rely on His strength and for Him to move in such a way that brings Him the most glory and us the most good.

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Those who identify as a six often will worry when given additional responsibilities or they're in times of stress. They, again, often imagine what might go wrong. Remember that we can't accomplish works by our own strength or power. He renews our strength day by day as we put our hope and trust in Him!

Seven - The Enthusiast

1 Peter 5:9-10 - And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Goodness, sevens are a load of fun! They look forward to the future. They are eternal optimists. They also avoid pain. They don't enjoy thinking, processing or talking about it. Know that God is our comfort and peace during these times. He will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you during these times. If you need this encouragement today, remember it's ok to sit in the discomfort of what you're walking through. He will sustain you by His strength and power.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Sevens can also be easily distracted. They can be going full-steam ahead, get excited about the next thing and neglect to finish the task in front of them. Let 1 Corinthians 9 be an encouragement during those times to finish well. Practice self-control in all things. Run with purpose and discipline your body.

Eight - The Commander

1 John 3:1(a) - See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

Those who identify as an eight accomplish tasks with a vengeance. They don't beat around the bush. They are honest and will work through conflict without batting an eye, knowing we will all walk out on the other side better for it. They are well respected and sometimes also just want to be simply loved for who they are. Remember the great love that Jesus lavished on us as He died on the cross for our sins. We are now called children of God!

Deuteronomy 31:8 - It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Eights typically really struggle with being let down or abandoned by people. Normally there are past hurts that lead to this type of thought pattern. Know that as a follower of Christ, He will never forsake you. We can confidently pursue our relationship with God because He worthy of our affection, love and attention!

Nine - The Peacemaker

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Nines often "let the other person choose the restaurant" and will never be the loudest voice in the room. They will often be agreeable in situations where they truly want to speak up and voice their opinion. It's just more difficult for them to do so than many of the other more dominant types. Remember that God uniquely created you with thoughts and inner-workings that He believed would best allow you to bring Him glory. Use them. Speak up. We want to hear what you have to say!

Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Those who identify as a nine are typically very conflict averse and will spend great deals of time worrying and/or playing out potential scenarios in their head of potential outcomes that are likely to not come true. Use this verse as a banner of these times of anxiety and worry and shift your thought to things that are pure, lovely, commendable and praise-worthy. Remember, most of the potential outcomes we dream up in our heads are likely to never come to pass anyways!

God, you are so powerful. Before I was formed in my mother's womb, You uniquely crafted my personality and tendencies. You are the Author of my story. Help me see my personality in light of who You are and strive to become more like You each day. Sift me, mold me and craft me in to the version of myself that most clearly honors and glorifies You.

In Your name,
Amen

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