Pride Of The Core

Bossong, writing for the Lead Change Group blog, offers up 8 Reasons Why Pride Is the Core of Leadership Failure. In this post, John details the risks of unchecked pride and the solution which is humility. Pride of the Core was an InterPlanetary government that stood for almost 27,500 years. Created by the then Je'daii Order in 27,181 BBY, it later became the Jedi Order's government. Strong ally of the Galactic Republic and strong enemy of the Sith, Pride of the Core was a democracy promoter. Well, I felt like there were too many pictures involving the CIS winning, so I wanted to post some of the Republic invading with the Pride of the Core and wiping out a level 5 CIS station above Geonosis.

Pride Of The Core Ship

Discover Your Core Sin

Ever wonder why you struggle with the same things over and over? According to some psychologists, it's because you have a core sin tendency--a deep-set temptation that compels you to make the same types of mistakes. Those mistakes may not all look the same, but they may be connected by your core temptation to be proud. Or greedy. Or afraid. Or angry. Or something else--you may not even be able to say what.

But we can help.

Spiritual directors such as Father Richard Rohr and Dr. David Benner have helped people discover their core sins by using the Enneagram, an ancient personality tool that focuses on nine fatal flaws that are common to many people. The Enneagram is a unique tool, and anyone serious about using it should consult Father Rohr's The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective as a starting point. But to get you started, click through our list of the nine sin types, each of which the Enneagram assigns a number (you are either a One, a Two, a Three, and so on). For each type, we've highlighted the related sin tendency. At the end, we'll offer some thoughts on finding yourself in this list.

One: The Need for Perfection (Self-Righteousness)

Ones need to be perfect, and they want everything else to be perfect, too. Of course, nothing is ever just as we want it to be, so the world is constantly failing to meet the high expectations of Ones. Their core sin is self-righteousness.

Twos: The Need to be Needed (Pride)

Twos love you to love them, need you to need them, want you to want them. Dr. Benner writes that they tend to be pretty good and making people need them, and their 'competence in making this happen sets them up for pride.'

Threes: The Need for Success (Deception)

Threes are strivers, and they are willing to do anything and everything in order to succeed. Their core temptation is deception, because they are so driven to avoid failure that they're all too willing to do things they know they shouldn't do.

Fours: The Need to be Special (Envy and Fantasy)

Fours really want to be acknowledged as special--a little better, a little different, a little more extra than everyone else. This sets them up for the sin of envy, plus a tendency to fantasize and, therefore, remove themselves from everyday reality.

Fives: The Need to Know--Now! (Greed)

Pride Of The Core Republic At War

Fives: The Need to Know--Now! (Greed)

Fives have no patience for dissatisfaction, waiting, and uncertainty. They need knowledge and fulfillment, and they need it yesterday. They are prone to greed.

Sixes: The Need for Security (Cowardice)

Sixes are fearful because they long for constant security. They waver too easily, and are tempted to self-doubt and cowardice.

Sevens: The Need to Avoid Pain (Gluttony)

Sevens fill themselves constantly so that they never know pain--they need to be sated all the time. This makes them prone to gluttony.

Eights: The Need for Power (Lust and Arrogance)

Eights want it all, so to speak. They need to feel in control of everything, all the time. Their core temptation is lust (when they don't have something), matched by arrogance (when they do).

Nines: The Need for Constancy (Laziness)

Nines need control of another kind--they want everything to stay the same so that they can have emotional peace. They avoid conflict and difficult pursuits, and are tempted to be lazy and to accommodate others too quickly.

OK--Now What?

You may have seen yourself in each of those types, which is to be expected. And in fact, you can't just read through the list and know what your core sin tendency is. True self-knowledge only comes with time, patience, and God's grace. If you are serious about discovering your core sin tendency, set aside some time for careful reflection and prayer. Dr. Benner's book The Gift of Being Yourself is a short and simple guide, and will help you acknowledge your deep-set weakness without falling into self-condemnation. Remember, whatever your sin is, God wants to heal you of it, and forget it forever.