It seems the days of the Buzzfeed articles telling you what kind of sandwich you are or what state you should be from are coming to a close…now we have Instagram that simply puts a filter on you and tells you what you are.
It’s amazing the amount of time that people use these things. I’m not saying this judgementally necessarily. In fact, some of these little videos are quite fun to watch. It amazes me though that we are so easily entertained by a random picker telling us something that in no way has any merit on reality.
Maybe more dangerous though seeming explosion of “personality tests.” Perhaps the most popular, especially around Christian circles, the beloved enneagram.
Many companies are also using and have used things like aptitude tests, culture index tests, etc. to figure out if someone is the right fit for their company.
Before I say anything and people get mad at me for being so old school, I’ll say I believe there really is a time and place for these tests and I think they can be incredibly useful. In fact, I think they can even help develop stronger and better friendships and relationships.
The issue I see is not necessarily in the tests themselves but in the fact that they’re being taken by humans – beings who have a tendency to turn even the smallest things into a big deal. If the goal of taking these tests was only to bring to light in a visual way to some of the things that you do but can’t see, I think that’s great. In a way, almost understanding better what others might perceive you as.
There are other ways that I think they are beneficial as well, but humans can’t seem to stop at the small things these tests reveal. They turn them almost into their road map. Things that they talk about all the time. Type-casting themselves and others into roles that may or may not be where they should really be.
Many of these tests I’ve seen say something along the lines of “this is your resting state and will never change no matter how old you get.” I’m afraid I can’t get behind that. I believe there’s only one thing that is incapable of changing in us and that’s that we’re all sinners. None is righteous, no not one. Everything outside of that may change over time.
If you start treating any of these tests as truth, you are putting it on a higher pedestal than it deserves. It’s a glimpse at some tendencies and behaviors, but it’s by no means absolute truth. Again, probably almost none of these tests say they are absolute truth, but as I said before, the problem with the tests isn’t the test themselves, it’s that people often misuse them.
I’m still developing my thoughts and opinions around this subject. I think all of these tests are incredibly fascinating, but I believe everything, good or bad, has some of the other in it.
Good thoughts!
Yes, there can be some validity in the tests that companies use for their employees or future employees, but there are flaws in those tests.
For our own benefit the only measure we should compare ourselves against is how do I measure up to Jesus? As you said, ‘We all fall short’. But there is hope. There are many references to the ‘traits’ for which we should strive.
Thank you for your thoughts.