A Pastor's Warning About This Personality Test
The Concerning Rise of the Enneagram in Christian Churches
Have you noticed how many churches are embracing the Enneagram personality test? This nine-pointed symbol promising self-discovery and spiritual growth has found its way into sermon series, discipleship programs, and even marriage counseling in Christian communities across America. But what if this popular tool has darker origins than most realize?
The Enneagram claims to reveal nine personality types that help you understand yourself and improve your relationships. Churches nationwide are incorporating it into their ministries, with books like "The Road Back to You" and "The Sacred Enneagram" becoming bestsellers in Christian bookstores.
But before you sign up for that Enneagram workshop at your local church, there's something important you need to know.
The Occult Origins Your Pastor May Not Tell You About
The Enneagram (from Greek words meaning "nine drawing") is far more than an innocent personality assessment. Its roots trace back to occult practices and mysticism that directly contradict biblical teaching.
Popular Enneagram teachers like Richard Rohr (often called the "father of the modern Enneagram") hold beliefs that should alarm any Bible-believing Christian:
Universalism (the belief that all people will attain "Christ consciousness")
Pantheism (the idea that all things are divine)
Rejection of fundamental Christian doctrines like the Trinity
These aren't minor theological disagreements—they represent profound departures from biblical truth. When churches embrace the Enneagram, they're often unknowingly introducing occult elements into their teaching.
What Scripture Actually Says About Finding Wisdom
The Bible is clear about where Christians should seek wisdom and self-understanding:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The Bible doesn't teach that we need supplementary tools from mystical sources to understand ourselves or improve our relationships. Scripture is sufficient.
Consider these powerful verses:
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." (Psalm 32:7-8)
The early church in Acts 19:18-20 set a powerful example when believers brought their books of "curious arts" (occult practices) and burned them publicly. The result? "So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."
Why You Should Be Concerned About the Enneagram Trend
Churches claiming to use the Enneagram as a "spiritual tool" are implicitly suggesting that the Bible alone is insufficient for spiritual growth and relationship healing.
Some concerning trends include:
Major Christian universities offering Enneagram certification programs
Churches using the Enneagram for marriage counseling
Christian publishing houses printing and marketing Enneagram books
Popular pastors claiming the Holy Spirit uses the Enneagram
When we seek wisdom from sources outside Scripture, we're following the same pattern that has led God's people astray throughout history. The Bible warns us to "hate every false way" (Psalm 119:128) and to look "unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2)—not to personality tests with occult origins.
What You Can Do Instead
Rather than turning to the Enneagram for self-discovery and relationship improvement, consider these biblical alternatives:
Increase your study of Scripture, especially books like Proverbs that offer practical wisdom
Prioritize prayer and Christian fellowship
Participate in Bible-based discipleship
Practice family devotions
Seek counsel from mature believers who base their advice on Scripture
The Bible provides everything we need for godliness and spiritual growth. As 2 Peter 1:19 reminds us, "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed."
A Call to Biblical Discernment
The church has always grown strongest when it relies fully on God's Word rather than incorporating worldly philosophies. Great revivals throughout history came through the preaching of Scripture, not through personality assessments or mystical diagrams.
As Christians, we must exercise discernment when new trends enter the church. We should ask: Does this align with Scripture? What are its origins? Does it suggest that the Bible alone is insufficient?
The Enneagram fails these tests. Despite its popularity, it represents an approach to spiritual growth that looks inward rather than upward to Christ.
🔍 Want to dig deeper into expository preaching and verse-by-verse Bible teaching? This blog post was inspired by a powerful sermon that thoroughly examines what Scripture says about seeking wisdom from God's Word alone. For the full message, including additional biblical insights and practical application, click here to listen to the complete sermon. 📚 Our church is committed to faithful, biblical sermon teaching that equips believers with God's truth!