How is the Enneagram useful for Christian spiritual transformation?
The Enneagram is not implicitly tied to any one religion or faith, although its application in spiritual work is significant. I offer a rare perspective on the Enneagram and its usefulness for Christian growth. From a Biblical understanding of a loving God, human sin, and the redemptive work of Jesus, the Enneagram is helpful in uncovering the sin tendencies that keep us from true freedom in Christ. It also aids us in accepting ourselves and others as unique image-bearers of the Divine Nature.
The nine Enneagram styles reflect a manifestation of God’s character...His Righteousness, His Love, His Hope, His Beauty, His Wisdom, His Faithfulness, His Joy, His Power, and His Peace. We were created in God’s image: we were each designed to be a reflection of His character in a unique way. Yet, our original design has been marred and constricted. As creatures in a fallen world, we have needed to put on ‘fig leaves’ to hide our true selves. The result has been the development of the ego-self, the false self, the old self.
Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs us
"to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
The Enneagram not only shows us nine characteristics of God, it also defines nine ways our ‘old self‘ deceives us through Anger, Pride, Deceit, Envy, Greed, Fear, Gluttony, Lust, and Laziness.
“Unlike classifications of personality that are based on traits, the organizing
principle of the Enneagram is deeper and less attractive. It zeroes in on the fatal
flaw, or basic sin, of each nine personality types. No one should work with the
Enneagram if what they seek is flattery. But no one should fail to do so if what
they seek is deep knowing of self.”
David Benner, The Gift of Being Yourself
When we are able to see our false self more tangibly and clearly, then we can put it off more decisively. The beautiful result is that we can put on our ‘new self’ which was created to be like God! We can become His unique reflection...our original design!
Christian spiritual transformation is an exciting jouney. Contact me and I’ll accompany you to divinely-directed discoveries!
“The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 2:17-18
