Growing As An Enneagram Nine: The PeacemakerSýnishorn

Calling Sloth What It Is 

Although the Bible does not mention the seven deadly sins, Christians have known about them for ages. Nines are prone to the deadly sin of sloth. If we compare sins, we might rank slothful behavior lower than other things that we believe are more harmful. We think, Is sloth really that bad? However, the Bible is clear about how sin impacts us. While different sins may have differing visible consequences, sin always brings death to us. Sloth is sin, and we’re to take all sin seriously.

Why is there a temptation to dismiss our sin as “not that bad”? Sloth can feel so comforting for a moment, as it deceives your Nine heart, hiding the truth behind the numbing it offers.

Sloth offers the lie that you aren’t hurting anyone with your inaction. You’re not harming yourself or anyone else by numbing.

Sloth offers the lie that avoidance serves you and those around you, saying that not naming your own needs is selfless and good. You’re helping when you don’t bring up uncomfortable things.

Sloth offers the lie that doing nothing is better than disturbing the peace.

Sloth offers the lie that choosing the wrong thing is the worst possible outcome. It is better to do nothing or play it safe than to pick the wrong thing.

Sloth offers the lie that hard conversations or showing up with raw emotions will take too much energy. If you’re already tired, this is the worst thing you could do.

Sloth offers the lie that self-sufficiency is the best option. You shouldn’t ask for help from the Lord or others for what you need.

Sloth offers excuse after excuse for why you shouldn’t take action. Your ability to see all sides of something can make it easy to feel overwhelmed when decisions come. Sloth is especially tempting when you’re overwhelmed, because numbing allows you to not feel the weight and tension of your choice. If you don’t see sloth as “that bad” or treat it seriously, it will be easy to continue to believe the lies that sloth offers you.