As I wrap up a preaching series on “Identity,” someone asked me if today I’m finally going to talk about the Enneagram.

Oh boy...
Y’all, we need to talk real quick.

I’m not an Enneagram hater. I’m a 3. I enjoy personality assessments. But so do you! We LOVE talking about ourselves. And that’s the issue.

The problem isn’t that we think too little about ourselves, it’s that we think too little about God and who he created us to be.

Lots of people do personality inventories and be like, “Giggle-Giggle! I’m a 3! Look at how me I am! Let’s talk bout me! Giggle-Giggle!”

That ain’t Christian identity work. If there’s no introspection, repentance, & transformation, it’s just a psychological selfie.

Our world will tell you,
“If you want to find yourself, look within. Do the Enneagram. Take a personality assessment. Find out about your ancestors. Look at your genes. Talk to a therapist. Listen to your feelings and follow your heart.”

Christianity suggests a different route, “If you want to find yourself, first look outside yourself to your Designer & his design. Then look within.”

This small shift changes everything. It doesn’t degrade the value of self-discovery, it illuminates, shapes, & directs it. (end/)