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Have you observed a conversation with friends who are discussing what number they are? Before I became aware of the Enneagram, I kept hearing people discussing their numbers and wondered what in the world they were talking about… I wanted to discover why the Enneagram was such a hot topic. So, I participated in an Enneagram class and read, The Road Back to You.
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What is the Enneagram?
The Enneagram is a tool to raise awareness that helps us grow spiritually and cultivate compassion for others. Everyone is grouped into nine personality types. Unlike other personality tools, the Enneagram looks at why you do what you do instead of simply what you do. Each personality type has a wounding message that molds their need/motivation behind their behavior. While reading through the book, I pondered healing messages in the Bible to combat the wounding message of each Enneagram number.
Note: I am no Enneagram expert. These are just some observations I made while reading the book.
Type 8: The Challenger
The Challenger needs to be in control. They picked up the wounding message that the world is a hostile place where only the strong survive. As a result, Eights try to hide their weaknesses and struggle with being vulnerable. They fear being betrayed. In James 5, the writer discusses the power of prayer. Verse 16 states,
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
The result of being vulnerable with our brothers and sisters in Christ is not betrayal, being made fun of, or anything negative; the promise to vulnerability is healing. In Christ, weakness is okay. When you share your weakness you can find healing.
Type 9: The Peacemaker
Just like the name implies, Nines will do almost anything to keep the peace. Their need is to avoid conflict. They picked up the wounding message your wants, opinions, desires, and presence don’t matter much. They grew up feeling overlooked. In Luke 12:6-7, we find a healing message of worth.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Here God is saying you are worth so much to Him that He took the time to not just count but to give each one of your hairs a number. In Christ you are not overlooked, you are valuable, and you have a voice.
Bible journaling idea for Nines:
Type 1:The Perfectionist
This name is also pretty self-explanatory. One’s need is to be perfect. Ones learned the wounding message they have to be good and do things right in order to be loved. Mistakes are unacceptable. The healing message for a One can be summed up in one word: grace. Because of grace, this life is not about perfection but about direction. Paul states in Philippians 3:13-14,
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
This verse points out we can forget our old imperfections and press on. Paul had a lot of imperfections to put behind him. In 1 Timothy he calls himself the chief sinner. He then talks about the grace of God poured out to Him. He now uses his imperfections to give other imperfect sinners hope in the grace found in Christ Jesus. In Christ, you have grace.
Type 2: The Helper
Sounds like a great personality trait right? However, Twos received the wounding message that having or expressing needs will lead to humiliation and rejection. Twos feel if they express their needs they will no longer be needed. They equate not being needed with not being loved. God tells us over and over again in the Bible to express our needs to Him. Why? Because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He cares not because He needs us but simply because He loves us. Philippians 4:6 encourages,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.”
Hebrews 4:15-16 tells us because Christ experienced every human need, we can approach the throne boldly and find what we need in our time of need. In Christ, you are loved. Because you are loved, your needs matter and are met.
Type 3: The Performer
Threes need to be or be perceived as successful. The wounding message, “You are what you do,” drives their need for success. Threes fear the loss of success equals loss of love, so they try to hide their failures. The healing message to combat this wounding message can be found in Romans 5:6-8,
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person – though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die – but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
We had no success story to offer Christ. We were weak in our sins. Yet, He still loved us. He loved us enough to exceed our human expectation of love, which only extends to the righteous, the worthy, the beautiful, and the brawn and die for us while we were still weak. What an amazing, incredible love that even our worst failings cannot destroy! You are more than an image. In Christ you are loved, not just for what you have done but for who you are.
Type 4: The Romantic
As a result of feeling like there’s something off about them and that no one understands or they will never belong, four’s need to feel special. The healing message for Fours can be found in Psalm 139. This Psalm details how intimately God knows us. He knows the details of our formation in the womb, He knows our daily routine, He knows our thoughts, He knows what we are going to say before we say it. Sounds kinda scary to be known so well, right? Psalm 139 gives the wonderful message that we do not have to be afraid of being intimately known. Why? Because we are so loved! One of the recurring themes of Psalms is God’s steadfast love. God sees all and He loves every part of us with a steadfast love. In Christ, you are fully known, loved, and you belong.
Bible journaling idea for Fours (adapted from Pinterest).
Type 5: The Investigator
The Investigator needs to gather all the information because they feel incapable of handling the demands of life and relationships. In 2 Corinthians 9:10-11, we receive encouragement to give freely because God gives to us abundantly.
“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
In Christ you are full and free to give.
Type 6: The Loyalist
Type six keenly feels how unsafe and dangerous this world can be. As a result, they need security. Before Christ was to be crucified, He knew His death and resurrection would be hard on His disciples. He knew all the persecution and suffering they would face in this world. He knew they could really use a sense of security. In John 16:23 He tells them,
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
In Christ, you can find peace in the midst of chaos.
Type 7: The Enthusiast
The Enthusiast are a fun group but with a sad wounding message. Seven’s believe that they are on their own, no one is there to support or take care of them. They need to avoid pain.
After giving the great commission, Christ stated He would be with us always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Not only is Christ with us always, Christ came to take care of our deepest need once and for all. We needed freedom from the ultimate pain that sin causes (Romans 8:1). In Christ, you are not alone in your fight and struggle; you are free!
Bible journaling idea for Sevens:
What can we learn from the Enneagram?
Everyone has a sad wounding message that needs healing. How do we heal our wounding messages?
First, we look at Christ who will supply all our needs.
Second, we learn to put into practice a very powerful word…Are you ready for this?….The word is…drumroll please!………. “Compassion.” Through learning about ourselves and others, we see that everyone fights against a lie. A lie that convinces them they are not worthy of love. We need to learn to show compassion to ourselves and others.
As humans, we tend to beat ourselves up for our shortcomings and allow our wounding message to dictate our actions.
Friend, do not be afraid to show yourself some compassion and accept the love and healing freely offered by Christ. (click to Tweet).
Once we have accepted Christ’s love and healing for ourselves, we must show others compassion by sharing with them what we found in Christ – a love that sees someone at their weakest and gently whispers, “I still love you!”
As stated in the post, I am not an Enneagram expert these are just some of my observations. What do you think about them? Is the healing message for your number accurate or would you suggest another healing message?