The Solution for Personality Tests
Some people would look at me and say I’m a Type Five with a Six wing. Others would see me and say I’m an INTJ. And still others would say I’m known for my Conscientiousness or would even compare me to a beaver. If you understand what any of that means, you’ve probably taken a personality test or two in your life.
Personality tests vary from short online quizzes that typically take five to ten minutes to complete to longer, more involved (and sometimes expensive) questionnaires that aim to tell you what kind of person you are. Some of the most popular tests are the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the DiSC Profile, and the Enneagram, but there are thousands of other online quizzes available that can tell you what dog breed you would be or which Disney Princess you’re most like.
These quizzes and tests are very popular—especially among women—for numerous reasons. We want to learn more about ourselves. We want to comprehend how exactly we operate and what kinds of things make us tick. We want to feel like we belong, like we’re not the only ones who act and think the way we do. We want to understand those who are closest to us so that we can live and work with them better. We want who we really are to be affirmed and validated.
But if we’re not careful, there’s a big potential problem with personality tests, and as Christians, we must be aware of this problem and be prepared with a good solution. After all, our personalities are an important part of who we are, and we ought to seek out ways we can leverage our quirks and traits to glorify God and serve the church.
The Problem
The problem with personality tests is threefold. First, personality tests keep us focused on ourselves. We live in a society that is obsessed with the self. There is a constant emphasis on one’s identity and self-expression. Everything is about me—what makes me feel good, what makes me happy, what makes me more like me. Personality tests that give us warm, fuzzy feelings about ourselves only exacerbate this obsession. However, the Bible makes it clear our main focus should not be on ourselves. Our eyes ought to remain fixed solely on Christ, and rather than admire or indulge our finer qualities, we’re called to deny ourselves (Matt. 16:24).
Second, personality tests can cause us to excuse our sins. I’ve personally known professing believers who were living in sin and not acting in accordance with how God’s Word calls us to live. When these believers were confronted with their lack of Christlike behavior, they responded, “This is just the way I am!” As someone who has struggled with anxiety for many years, I often find it difficult to follow Jesus’s command to “not be anxious about your life” (Matt. 6:25). Instead, I allow myself to simmer and stew in my anxious thoughts because, “Well, this is just the way I am!” While anxiety is a serious issue for many people and may require seeking professional help, it’s important that I (and any other anxious believers) do not allow a tendency or even a diagnosis to excuse us from something that our Savior has clearly commanded. We can all fall into this habit of believing our sins are just a personality quirk or just a normal part of who we are, and personality tests often affirm this and make it seem like our sinful habits are not that bad (at least, not as bad as someone else’s sin). As Christians, though, God calls us to put off our old selves and turn away from our sins, regardless of how “bad” our sins seem to us (Eph. 4:22; Acts 3:19).
Third, personality tests can lead us to neglect obedience. I am naturally a very introverted person, and nearly every personality test I’ve ever taken has reflected this fact. So, I often fall into the temptation that my introversion means that I don’t have to do certain things that the Lord may be calling me to. I’m an introvert so I don’t need to share the gospel with that stranger. I’m an introvert so I don’t have to step out in faith. I’m an introvert so I’m not obligated to lead a Bible study or small group. The Lord is still sanctifying me in this area of my life, but my personality test results would argue that I will never be suited for these kinds of activities. In contrast, God’s Word tells us that those who love him will obey him, even when it’s hard or difficult for them (John 14:15).
The Solution
So what’s the solution? Should we completely throw out all personality tests and avoid them at all costs? Can they ever be good or useful? Is it okay for believers to take them just for fun?
I don’t believe it’s necessary to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Sure, these tests have their problems, but they’re not inherently bad or sinful. So, we don’t have to feel guilty the next time we take a Buzzfeed quiz that tells us which TV show character we are or what kind of pizza topping we would be. However, there a few principles that we, as Christians, ought to practice when it comes to personality tests.
First, look for ways that your personality type can serve and obey the Lord. The beauty of the church is that it is full of people with all different personalities, skills, and talents. There is not one personality or type of person that is more or less important in the body of Christ. Every single personality is vital to the Church and helps it to grow and thrive (1 Cor. 12:12–20). So, identify your own personal strengths and seek out opportunities to serve your local church and community that would align with those strengths.
Second, be aware of which temptations your personality type is prone to. Everybody sins (even born-again believers), and we all have certain sins that we tend to gravitate toward because of our natural personalities (Rom. 3:23). When we take personality tests, let us not just focus on our strengths, but let us also consider our weaknesses and ask the Lord to help us overcome them. Additionally, it can be helpful to share our struggles and areas of weakness with trusted brothers or sisters in Christ so they can pray for us and hold us accountable when we’re drifting toward temptation (James 5:16).
Third, keep your eyes focused on Christ. Like I mentioned earlier, we live in a self-obsessed society, and it’s easy to give in and navel-gaze just like everyone else. But we’re made for more. As Christians, we have a higher calling. We were not placed on this earth to just do whatever we want. We were created to bring glory to our God and Savior (1 Cor. 10:31). So, yes—we are free to learn more about our personalities and thank God for how he fearfully and wonderfully made each and every one of us (Ps. 139:14). But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which Enneagram number we are or which of the 16 Personalities we fall into. What truly matters is fixing our eyes upon Jesus so that we can live a life that honors him.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:1–3).
Tristany Corgan lives in sunny central Florida. She has a master’s degree in Biblical Exposition from Liberty University, and she works as a Database Manager for a local Christian non-profit. Tristany has a passion for encouraging women to know and love the Word of God, and she has written about the Bible and theology for several Christian women’s ministries, including The Daily Grace Co., Hosanna Revival, and Wholehearted Quiet Time. You can read more of her work at tristanycorgan.com.