The Infiltration of Occult Practices in Modern Churches
Are you aware of what's being taught in churches around you? The Enneagram—a personality typing system gaining popularity in Christian circles—has dark origins that many believers don't realize. This post examines biblical warnings about occult practices and why Christians should be concerned about the Enneagram's growing influence.
The Bible warns us in Acts 20:29-30: "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."
This warning from Scripture is more relevant today than ever as occult practices disguised as "Christian tools" infiltrate unsuspecting congregations.
The Occult Origins of the Enneagram
The Enneagram isn't a harmless personality test—it has deeply occult roots. This nine-pointed symbol originated with George Gurdjieff, a Russian mystic and occultist born in 1866 who called it the "Cosmic Reality Diagram." Gurdjieff taught that people are in a "hypnotic waking sleep" and need to be awakened to "higher consciousness."
His teaching had nothing to do with personality traits. Instead, it was based on occult numerology and mysticism, focusing on what he called the "law of three" and the "law of seven"—occult concepts related to cosmic forces.
The diagram itself contains specific numerological significance:
The decimal expansion of 1/7 (0.142857142857...)
The missing numbers 3, 6, and 9, represented in the triangle
Occult symbology and "cosmic consciousness"
Interest: How Did This Occult Symbol Enter Churches?
The path from occultism to churches is telling:
George Gurdjieff taught P.D. Ouspensky and Oscar Ichazo, spreading his occult teachings.
Oscar Ichazo founded an occult school in Chile in 1968, claiming to receive knowledge from an "archangel" called Metatron.
Claudio Naranjo, a New Age psychiatrist, studied with Ichazo and added personality traits to the Enneagram, bringing it to Esalen—a holistic education center in California.
Father Richard Rohr, a Roman Catholic priest, met Naranjo at Esalen and became the modern "father" of the Enneagram in churches.
The Emerging Church movement then embraced and spread the Enneagram through conferences, books, and small group studies.
This progression reveals how an occult symbol can be repackaged and presented as a spiritual tool for Christians, despite warnings in 1 John 4:1: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
Biblical Discernment in an Age of Deception
What does God's Word say about such practices?
Jeremiah 17:9-10 reminds us: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."
This passage reveals a crucial truth: only God can truly search and know our hearts. The Enneagram dangerously suggests that human personality systems can accomplish what only God can do.
The "Emerging Church" movement that embraces the Enneagram also tends to:
Emphasize experience over biblical doctrine
Promote "contemplative prayer" (repetitive mantras with roots in Eastern mysticism)
Reject biblical standards of holy living
Embrace ecumenism at the expense of truth
Jesus warned in Matthew 7:13-15: "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat... Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Stand Firm on Biblical Truth
Here's what you can do to protect yourself and your church family:
Study God's Word – Know Scripture so you can discern truth from error
Warn others – Share this information with friends who may be involved with Enneagram-promoting churches
Test everything – Follow 1 John 4:1 and "try the spirits" by comparing teachings to Scripture
Choose biblical counsel – Seek wisdom from the Bible rather than occult-derived personality systems
Commit to biblical discipleship – Follow 2 Timothy 2:2 by learning from faithful teachers who can rightly divide God's Word
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 clearly states God's position on occult practices: "There shall not be found among you... anyone... that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch... For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD."
As Christians, we must guard against the subtle infiltration of practices that may seem harmless but lead us away from dependence on God's Word and toward self-focus and mysticism.
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