Each week we have been applying the Enneagram types to characters in the Bible and what we can learn from each of them about us and our relationships. So far we have learned about FIVE: The Investigator or Observer with the Magi, Thomas, and Nicodemus. EIGHT: The Challenger or Leader with John the Baptist and Samson. ONE: The Perfectionist with the Apostle Paul. TWO: The Helper with Mary and Martha. Then THREE: The Achiever with Jacob. SIX: The Loyalist with Peter. And last week it was NINE: The Peacemaker with Abraham.
Now we have to tackle the remaining two in one week! FOUR and SEVEN. FOUR is the Individualist. Fours are creative and sensitive types. They always feel like they’re missing something. Fours are fixated on being special, different, and authentic. One example of a FOUR in the Bible is Joseph.
SEVENs are fun, spontaneous and adventurous. They tend to do everything “too much” in an attempt to avoid anything hard or painful. Sevens are fixated on immediate gratification, making them especially vulnerable to addiction. One example of a SEVEN in the Bible is King Solomon.
But the best example of each of these types is two other kings. Both of them intertwined with each other. Who are these kings of Israel? Find out tomorrow as we look at FOUR and SEVEN. As one last time, we ask What is your number?
DYK?
Fours, often called the Individualist or Romantic, are, in fact, different. According to some experts, there are probably fewer Fours than any other number. Fours fear being “normal” or just like everyone else, but they also deeply desire to belong and feel accepted. That’s the tension of Fours. They want to be accepted as part of the group while maintaining their own individual identity and cultivating their unique footprint on the world. But their concern with proving they are unique forces them inward and can strain their relationships.
DYK?
It’s been said, “Fours don’t have feelings. Fours are feelings.” In this way, they couldn’t be more different than their Three neighbors, who are feeling repressed. Threes have difficulty accessing and expressing their emotions. Fours have trouble NOT accessing and expressing them.Fours see the world in a way that is profoundly concerned with beauty and truth and art. A lot of Fours are poets and artists and mystics and songwriters.
PJ Point
Saul’s life was full of twists and turns, highs and lows, and ultimately ended in tragedy. From early in his life he was signaled out as different. He was “head and shoulders” above everyone else – literally. He was a tall, stately man. But like many Fours he was full of shame and self-doubt. When the prophet Samuel first met Saul he didn’t think he could be king.
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, don’t be worried about them because they’ve been found. Who owns all of Israel’s treasures, anyway? Isn’t it you and your whole family?” “I’m a Benjaminite,” Saul responded, “from the smallest Israelite tribe, and my family is the littlest of the families in the tribe of Benjamin. Why would you say something like that to me?”
1 Samuel 9:20-21
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When they are growing NINE move in the direction of growth and show the healthier characteristics of Type THREE. They see their true value, they begin to develop and invest in themselves. And they understand that the peace they seek is actually asserting themselves by sharing their talents, intelligence and heart with the world.
Next Samuel brought the tribe of Benjamin forward by its families, and the family of Matri was selected. Samuel then brought the family of Matri forward, person by person, and Saul, Kish’s son, was selected. But when they looked for him, he wasn’t to be found. 22 So they asked another question of the LORD: “Has the man come here yet?”The LORD said, “Yes, he’s hiding among the supplies.” 23 They ran and retrieved Saul from there, and when he stood up in the middle of the people, he was head and shoulders taller than anyone else.
1 Samuel 10:21-23
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Fours Core Fear is being inadequate, emotionally cut off, plain, ordinary, commonplace, mundane, abandoned, defective or flawed.
“Can you see the one the LORD has chosen?” Samuel asked all the people. “He has no equal among the people.”Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
1 Samuel 10:24
He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel, but Samuel didn’t come to Gilgal, and his troops began to desert. So Saul ordered, “Bring me the entirely burned offering and the well-being sacrifices.” Then he offered the entirely burned offering. The very moment Saul finished offering up the entirely burned offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet him and welcome him. But Samuel said, “What have you done?”“I saw that my troops were deserting,” Saul replied. “You hadn’t arrived by the appointed time, and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash.
1 Samuel 13:8-11
PJ Point
This all leads to the vice of Fours: envy. They see the life everyone else has – their perfect and pretty Instagram lives – and they want that. Everyone else seems so normal and happy, why can’t I be? If Fours aren’t careful and self-aware, they can let their envy drive them to really dark places – which is where Fours like to hang out, anyway.
The envy of a Four can start out so small, but it can escalate rapidly and grow out of control. Envy cost Saul his kingdom. And envy would ultimately cost Saul his life.
Now the LORD’s spirit had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
1 Samuel 16:14
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In times of stress, Fours really tend to struggle with jealousy and envy of others. David was the new, rising star among the people of Israel. The people even made up songs comparing David and Saul. Unhealthy Fours are constantly comparing their lives to others – and the others always have it better than they do.
DYK?
Fours have a tendency to wallow. Especially if they are unhealthy, Fours can go to that dark, sad place and have a hard time getting back out. I think that’s why Fours like to surround themselves with art and beauty. Beauty gives us a reason to hope, and hope drives us out of despair.
Saul had cut himself off from all beauty and hope, being driven by nothing other than his envy toward David. That envy fueled his own insecurities, shame, and self-doubt, ultimately leading to his demise.
DYK?
When they are moving the direction of growth FOURs start showing the healthier characteristics of a ONE. They become more objective and principled. They become more present in the here and now; not allowing their emotions to control them. They become more practical, self-disciplined and grounded.
Find out what is bringing on those feelings of sadness or depression and deal with them. Don’t blame it all on other people or circumstances beyond your control. Saul blamed all his problems on David instead of taking ownership of his own idiotic choices that got him into the mess.
FOURs need to remember you are God’s masterpiece exactly as you are You don’t need to prove you’re a unique individual. You were hand-crafted by our Creator.
I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart.Your works are wonderful—I know that very well.
Psalms 139:14
PJ Point
God’s Invitation is I invite you to be free from the drive to be unique and the false belief that you will not be loved and noticed if you don’t stand out. You are already extraordinary and special because I created you in love and for love.
DYK?
Sevens are commonly known as Enthusiasts, and they can be the most joyful, energetic, and optimistic people you know.
Enthusiasts seek to explore new and compelling experiences and fulfill their passions. SEVENs live for the next adventure. The keyword is next. Sevens have difficulty living in the present. They are very future-oriented by nature. They live off that dopamine rush of expectation and anticipation to avoid the feeling of deprivation.
Sevens love planning events but can have trouble enjoying the event. The problem with living this way is that Sevens develop a “more is better” mentality that can lead to serious commitment issues and even addiction. They do not want to miss out on new experiences.
DYK?
That is their Core Fear- Fear of being incomplete, inferior, limited, bored, trapped in emotional pain, sadness, disappointment, criticism or missing out.
Another way they avoid dealing with the pain is through reframing. They are experts at finding the silver lining in any situation. They can spin a failure to find a positive outcome. They are often known for cracking jokes to lighten the mood when a conversation gets too serious.On the surface, Sevens can appear to be spontaneous and carefree. But below the surface, healthy Sevens can be some of the most grounded individuals who know what it means to experience true Joy even in the midst of sorrow.
DYK?
Wings-A Seven with a SIX wing is the Entertainer. They are more loyal, endearing, responsible, outgoing, relationship-oriented, playful, child-like and anxious.
A Seven with an EIGHT wing is the Realist. They are more free, passionate, adventurous, strong, seek intensity, are leaders, quick-minded and creative.
PJ Point
But if you compare the Psalms of David with the Life of David, I think it becomes clear that he was a Seven with an Eight wing I believe who was highly in tune with his own emotions.
When moving in the direction of growth a SEVEN will start to show the healthier characteristics of a FIVE. Learning how to deal with their uncomfortable feelings and relax in the present moment. Having a quieter mind that enables them to focus and draw out more creativity and depth. And experience each moment as fascinating and profound.
DYK?
The wounding message that Sevens latch onto during childhood is You are on your own. No one else is here to take care of you. A lot of Sevens had to fend for themselves somewhat during childhood. They learned early on to ensure their own survival.
DYK?
Think about David. He was the youngest in his family with seven older brothers. David was out tending sheep by himself (1 Samuel 16) with no one else to come to his rescue. He had to come up with his own ways of fending off the predators who would endanger the flock, so he became incredibly skilled with a sling. He had to find ways to keep his mind occupied during the endless hours in the field, so he became an expert musician and songwriter.
PJ Point
Then think about the most famous story of his life – “David and Goliath.” Here comes David, a young teenager, into the battle lines. Everyone else is terrified of Goliath, but David steps up and says, “I’ll fight him!” He doesn’t have any armor. He doesn’t have a battle plan. All he has is a sling, some stones, and a boatload of confidence in God and in his abilities. What stands out to me, though, is David’s reasoning for taking on the giant. He’s already killed a lion…and a bear…and now a giant warrior! Remember – more is better. Sevens are always trying to one-up themselves.
PJ Point
One other instance in his life really stands out as a Seven-moment. David led the processional of priests bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the newly established capital city of Jerusalem. Remember how he entered the city? He was dancing nearly naked in the streets in front of God and everyone! His wife even confronted him about it later.When under stress SEVEN will start to show the unhealthy characteristics of a ONE. They become perfectionist and critical. And they blame others for preventing fun.
David replied to Michal, “I was celebrating before the LORD, who chose me over your father and his entire family, and who appointed me leader over the LORD’s people, over Israel—and I will celebrate before the LORD again! I may humiliate myself even more, and I may be humbled in my own eyes, but I will be honored by the female servants you are talking about!”
2 Samuel 6:21-22
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Because the vice of Sevens is gluttony. If a little is good, more is better. Sevens can struggle with anything from overeating to gambling, alcohol and drug abuse, obsessive collecting, pornography. Sevens are more prone to addictions than other types. Their primary need is to avoid pain, so they fall back into numbing behaviors when they can’t physically escape the painful or traumatic situation.
PJ Point
There would come a time, though, when David’s “gluttony” nearly ruined him. While his armies when out to war, David stayed home at the palace (avoiding pain and conflict). He looked out from his palace and saw a woman bathing on her roof. He asked about her and sent for her and used her. Remember what I said earlier about a tendency toward addiction and abuse? He already had a few different wives by that point – but he wanted her. When she became pregnant, he arranged for her husband to be killed in battle rather than own up to what he had done. He nearly lost it all, but God was merciful.
PJ Point
Sevens, here’s what you need to know. You must learn that more isn’t always better. Sometimes more is just more. Sevens need to learn to be content. You also need to cultivate the disciplines of solitude and fasting, learning to say no to pleasures and to social engagements. Practice living in the moment and being fully present here and now instead of jumping to the next big thing in your mind.
PJ Point
Type 7’s need to remember God truly is your refuge, God will take care of you and will work all things for your good.
I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
PJ Point
God’s invitation-I invite you to be free from the fear of being limited and cut off from what you think will give you life to the full. Embrace My love for you and trust that you will not miss out on the abundance I offer. I am with you in all situations.
PJ Point
Sevens you inspire us, encourage us, and bring so much joy into our lives. Without you around, life would be much more boring and routine. But it’s ok for you to take a breather sometimes.
Fours – find things that bring you true joy in life. Don’t worry so much about fitting in or being unique or whatever it might be on any given day. Focus on finding true joy and beauty in your ordinary, everyday, mundane, routine life.
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