Growing as an Enneagram Seven: The EnthusiastSample

How Satan Uses Gluttony

There’s no list of “seven deadly sins” in the Bible, but Christians have cited them for ages. The classification of seven deadly sins that we know today was first penned by a monk named Evagrius Ponticus who lived from AD 345–399.

When these seven sins are paired with specific Enneagram numbers (plus two extra sins to make nine), they give us a better idea of the specific vices that may be tripping us up again and again.

Any person can have the potential to sin in any way. However, certain personalities seem to be more tempted by certain sins than others. It’s helpful to know what your sin proclivities are so you can take steps to avoid these particular sins. For Sevens, the deadly sin you struggle with most is gluttony. Satan uses gluttony as a particular tool to keep Sevens dissatisfied. The enemy often tries to entice Sevens to indulge in gluttony through shopping, television, social media, food, sex, alcohol, sleep, pain medications, and any other avenues that tempt you.

Satan whispers, “You’d be happy if only you had this…” or “Just a little more.” These are the empty promises of gluttony. 

Gluttony is especially derailing to Sevens because it either numbs them or keeps them distracted by fixating on their next high. Sevens reflect God in so many beautiful ways—joy, hope, spontaneity, and long-suffering, just to name a few—and these reflections are on full display when Sevens focus their gifts and talents on living their life for Christ and experiencing His full joy. This is nothing like the momentary false happiness that you get from gluttony. 

Satan knows that he may not have your future or eternity, but he is actively trying to steal your impact, your peace, and your joy.

One of the best ways to fight gluttony is to call it what it is: sin. That’s why it’s harmful to brush off sinful traits as something a little innocent or not so bad. We do this by saying things like, “I’m just having a lazy month,” or “Being content is not who I am,” or “I like to eat a lot and there’s nothing wrong with that,” or “I just have impulse control issues.”

God says gluttony is a sin, but through the Holy Spirit, we will always find a way to escape the temptation of sin.