Growing Beyond Our Core Lies and Signature Sins

Don’t you hate it when a show ends with the dreaded words, “To be continued.” You realize you have to watch next week to find out the rest of the story.

I am currently doing a series on the Enneagram which has had a “To be continued” each time. In my last two articles, which you can read HERE and HERE, I gave a primer on the Enneagram and some help to discern which Enneagram type you may be. 

There are strengths to each personality type, but there are also weaknesses. Understanding your Enneagram type can be powerful as it can hold a mirror up, helping you to see flaws you may have ignored, and equipping you with ideas on how you can grow. No matter your personality type, let’s look at the lie you’re probably tempted to believe, your signature sin, and a plan for spiritual growth.

Type 1:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “I have to be perfect to be worthwhile.”

·      Your signature sin probably is a need for perfection that leads to high expectations. You tend to be critical of others and, especially, yourself. You can also struggle with hypocrisy, as you are driven by a need to appear perfect but cannot live up to that standard in reality. You might struggle with anger and resentment towards others.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include understanding that you are loved not for how good you are, but simply for who you are. God knows all your imperfections and loves you anyway. You likely need help generating compassion that will silence your inner critic and allow you to show more grace to others.

Type 2:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “My worth is determined by what I do for other people. I need to be needed.”

·      Your signature sin probably is pride because you believe you can’t be needy, and that other people are needy and your help of them is indispensable. You can also deny your own needs and self-care, feeling like you are not worthy and have to serve others in a never-ending but futile attempt to prove you are.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include understanding that God and his grace are sufficient. You don’t have to feel ashamed because of your neediness. You also don’t have to serve all the time – you can just sit at the feet of Jesus knowing that when you do you have chosen what is better (see Luke 10:38-42).

Type 3:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “I must be successful, or at least appear that way to others, to have worth.”

·      Your signature sin probably is projecting a false image to try to ensure that other people see you as successful or even perfect. You can run over, deceive or manipulate others to attain your goals.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include getting in touch with your inner self, your true self, leading you to a place of humility, and to an understanding that God loves you for who you are, not for the image you project. Having some people in your life you can be honest with and confess your sins to can help to set you free.

Type 4:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “I must be unique and different to have worth.”

·      Your signature sin probably revolves around feelings of envy and fears of abandonment. Fours often feel different from others, like they have some inherent flaw or there is something essential they are lacking. This can lead to feelings of shame and self-criticism. It can also make them jealous of others who seem more normal and comfortable. Fours can struggle with a fear of abandonment and may get close to others and then push them away before they can leave first.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include allowing God to transform your feelings of envy and shame into gratitude and grace. Fours can tend towards isolation, so building the practice of fellowship is essential as other people can help draw you out of yourself.

Type 5:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “To be worthy I must be knowledgeable and competent.”

·      Your signature sin probably is greed, driven by fear. The greed may not be for more – although it may be for more knowledge and competence. More likely the greed is to protect what you have – your energy, time, money, etc.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include sharing. Fives don’t want to depend on anyone. They often find the world and other people to be draining. They want to cling to and protect what they have. It will be difficult, but to grow Fives should seek God’s help in sharing – their resources, their abilities through serving, and their lives through fellowship.

Type 6:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “I must be secure.”

·      Your signature sin is probably fear. You have a tremendous need to feel safe and secure but struggle to feel that way, easily overcome by worries and worst-case-scenario thinking.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include centering prayer – where you focus on God’s presence with you and that you are safe because He is your refuge and an always-present help in times of trouble. Memorizing Scripture can help your thinking be founded in God’s truth rather than the fear-filled lies you are tempted to believe.

Type 7:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “I must always be fun and entertained and should not depend on anyone.”

·      Your signature sin probably is craving stimulation as you feel boredom and feeling pain are the worst. Sevens do what they can to avoid unpleasant emotions. This can lead a Seven to skim along the surface of life and can make them prone to addiction.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include enduring pain, perhaps even embracing it, as a challenging but essential vehicle for personal growth. Because Sevens can live a more shallow version of life, creating a rhythm of solitude and silence to have time with God is essential.

Type 8:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “I cannot be vulnerable and will not be betrayed.”

·      Your signature sin probably is lust, but not sexual. Eights crave action and intensity, power and control. If you are an Eight you probably have a tough exterior, perhaps featuring combative or angry outbursts, but it’s often used to hide a tender, compassionate interior.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include understanding that they do not have to be strong and in control, because Jesus is strong and in control. Eights need to be willing to let down their guard and trust other people, realizing if they don’t, they will miss out on the authentic, accountable relationships for which God made them. They need to learn that being strong means being vulnerable.

Type 9:

·      The lie you’re probably tempted to believe is, “I must preserve peace and harmony. It’s not acceptable to assert myself.”

·      Your signature sin is probably sloth. This laziness shows up not so much physically, but more in a lack of motivation when it comes to living a full life or personal growth. Nines also run from conflict, and are prone to checking out emotionally and relationally, which can lead to numbing behaviors like watching TV, playing a game on their phone, drinking, shopping, or reading novels.

·      A plan for spiritual growth should include understanding that their peace comes from Jesus, not from their circumstances. Some spiritual traditions feature “fixed hour prayer” – having repeated scheduled prayer times throughout the day. This can be especially helpful for Nines, as it can remind them that Jesus is always with them and can give them peace and boldness.

I hope this is helpful! If you want more information and coaching on this, I would suggest reading a book like The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery or setting up an appointment with a therapist (we have a great team at Renewing Life!).

And … another “To be continued” – next time (which will be the last in this series) we will talk about how understanding the Enneagram can help us develop compassion for ourselves and others. You’ll see how that can be a game changer!