7 Reasons Why the Enneagram is Deceptive and Unbiblical (Christian Perspective)

This post seeks to explain why the Enneagram is deceptive and unbiblical.

Most people wonder why the Enneagram is deceptive and unbiblical. If you are curious to know my rationale… you are in the right place!

Let’s begin by looking at the current state of affairs…

The Enneagram has been promoted in conferences, seminars, sermons, books and, most recently, has recently taken over in the Evangelical Christianity scene. 🤯If you do a quick google search, you will find that some Christian Universities have gone to the extent of adding the Enneagram as part of the psychology curriculum! (sad, but true!)

Many Christian Influencers tout their Enneagram numbers, and some have gone to the extent of putting out Enneagram “how to” guides. You may even meet the following headlines in major Christian Evangelical News Outlets, “How the Enneagram Can Point You to God.” (Yes, this is a real headline!)

Church Bible studies are now often using Enneagrams as a tool for spiritual growth! Do a quick YouTube search and see what’s going on there.

What is the Enneagram?

Enneagram comes from two Greek Root words: ennéa, meaning “nine and grámma, meaning something “written” or “drawn.”

The Enneagram is depicted as having nine points in a diagram. The outermost part of the diagram is a circle followed by triangles and a hexagon.

Honestly, this picture looks rather spooky, and it doesn’t sit well with me.

Each point of the Enneagram is an ego fixation (kind of like an addiction). It appears the main goal is to work on that specific ego fixation so that you can ultimately find a path to self-enlightenment.

I am not surprised that 9 was used because it is often a number associated with the 9 Celtic Gods, 9 Egyptian Gods and 9 muses in Greek.

Enneagram History, and Origin

I did some extensive research on the history and origin of the Enneagram, and honestly, it was confusing. I find that the origins seem a bit unclear. However, you will find that people will try to give credence by stating that it has an “ancient history.”

I found that in some text, it credits the Sufis in Central Asia, but the following people below are said to have contributed quite a bit to the evolution of the Enneagram.

Pontius Evagrius (345-399 AD)

Green Geometry Pythagoras (500 BC).

Ramon Llull – 1236-1315

George Gurdjieff (Philosopher and Psychologist) 1866-1949

Oscar Ichazo

Let’s talk about the real origin

Claudio Naranjo appears to be the person who invented the evolved Enneagram as we know it today. He admits in a video interview that he received the revelation through automatic writing.

Friends, Automatic writing is an occultist practice! A person typically opens themselves and channels demonic spirit entities to receive information. This should be a red flag for everyone. We know the only Spirit Jesus said was sending as a helper is the Holy Spirit.

In the interview, Naranjo admits to lying that the Enneagram has ancient historic ties so that he could essentially have a good marketing strategy.

Here is a video where he talks about the origins of the Enneagram:

Claudio Naranjo also operates a New Age/Occultist school called the ARICA school.

Why would we as Christians bring any material that is considered sacred in the new age movement as a “path to god” in to the house of Yahweh? (like seriously?)

7 Reasons why the Enneagram is deceptive and unbiblical

1. Gateway to dangerous realms

Because the enneagram wisdom was obtained via automatic writing and channeling entities, I believe that actively using it can open dangerous doors.

2. The Enneagram is irredeemable; we can’t mix or endorse these practices!

I don’t think that we can possibly redeem the dark roots of the Enneagram. If we look at the bible, the Israelites were told not to be influenced by the Canaanites’ dark practices and systems that truly endorsed them.

Leviticus 18:3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.

3. The Enneagram is about self and not God

The Enneagram talks a lot about self-discovery and doing the ultimate work to one’s “essence.” It seems like a path to one’s “god-status” or enlightenment, which clearly contradicts God’s will and purpose in our lives. We are told to look to God.

1 Peter 2:21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Romans 8:29 ESV For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

4. The Enneagram focuses so much on the old self

The 9-point system is based on ego-fixations, and that means it is structured for people to view themselves through their old man. This, again, contradicts what God intends for us.

Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

5. The Enneagram is super limiting and confines us

Just like other personality tests and astrological signs, the Enneagram truly limits us. Someone can put themselves in a box with self-limiting world views based on what enneagram number they get. God has called us to exceedingly more, and he has called us to renew our minds.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

6. Reliance on man’s manual and not the word of God!

I see an overreliance given to the Enneagram!  People appear to be seeking wisdom and understanding from themselves and the enneagram manual. I feel that the Church is slowly departing from the word of God. Some Churches concentrate so much on the Enneagram as a path to God instead of the Holy Word (Bible).

Joshua 1:8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

7. God knows you BEST!

God is our creator, and He knows us better than a personality test at the end of the day. He knows our deepest desires and concerns, and he knows our past, present, and future. We are written on the palm of his hand, and He delicately knitted us in our mother’s womb. Ultimately, we should look to God because He intimately knows us and wants the best for us.

Isaiah 49:16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb

The Enneagram is a Trojan Horse!

Honestly, I find this rather disturbing that Christian leaders are promoting this practice as a way to find God. So, I decided to put out this blog post to shed light on the Enneagram, which I view as an occultist practice that has made its way into the Church.

Alisa Childers refers to the Enneagram as a trojan horse. I 100% agree with this. The Enneagram may look good on the outside, and thus it’s made its way into the Church. Unknowingly, this deceptive personality test is leading people astray. I believe the Enneagram test is opening doors to unseen realms that has spiritual implications!

Here is a detailed video that she did with Marcia Montenegro

And that’s it folks, My Christian Perspective as to why the Enneagram is Deceptive and Unbiblical!

In conclusion, I know as humans, we crave to be understood and seen. The Enneagram definitely gives an illusion of understanding.

Ultimately, the information comes easy and may feel good, but I believe that God isn’t in it. If you look intricately at the history, the Enneagram comes with deception.

Instead of opening the Enneagram for a “quick read” about us, we should spend more time at the feet of Jesus. The Enneagram, to me, is a shortcut to destruction.

Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

We should also understand and always remember the devil’s modus operandi is to kill, steal and destroy (See John 10:10). Why would a demonic entity give us wisdom and understanding through the Enneagram to find our true selves? It’s because it’s all a deception.

I pray for your discernment in this issue. I pray that the Holy Spirit may quicken knowledge and understanding on this topic!

Shalom!