Dying To Your Dark Side Series

Dying to Your Dark Side

Romans Series

CCCAG March 15th, 2020

Scripture- Romans 7:1-20 (Gen Reading)

Introduction- “Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson

Anyone ever read that book in high school, or seen one of the many movies portraying these characters?

A brief summary, there is a man named doctor Jekyll. Doctor Jekyll struggles with wants and desires that are not healthy, nor socially acceptable, or even moral. For years he struggles with trying to keep these desires at bay but is unable to completely suppress his evil desires.

So, he develops a formula that allows him to transform into another man Named Mr Hyde who can act out all these horrible impulses that he has.

This book is a case study on the dual nature of every human being.

With the exception of Jesus every single person that has ever lived has a dark side. It's like a caged wolf like animal that lives in the darkest parts of your soul. For some this animal is always scratching at the door and searching for ways to get out and cause havoc. For others, you've put triple chains on it and play the stereo so you can't hear it barking, growling, and yelping to get out.

Everyone has this to some extent or another. Even the most gentle and loving people have this buried deep within them- an animal that wants to break down the doors and let itself run free.

We see this when we read the bible- time and time again men and woman have dealt with their dark side. David is a key example of a man incredibly blessed by God, but also had a passionate side of him that was not kept in check and caused havoc not only in his own life, but in his family and in his kingdom.

I would see this truth as I read and studied the bible- how men and woman could be so used of God but still have glaring character faults.

I would read about them, but never really personally applied it to me. . I knew the bible had these lessons in it, and that they should speak to me, but never really did so until about 10 years ago

Two moments come to mind about confronting my dark side.

The first one came about in kind of a strange way.

When we were still living in Kenosha , my daughter started babysitting for a family who were very involved with the Christian rock band Skillet.

I had never heard of them before- my daughters reminded me at that time, and still to this day remind me that I’m just not that cool. They started to play Skillet in their room, and one of their new songs really struck a cord with me when I heard the lyrics.

At that time, it was one of their new songs off their latest album. The song is called “Monster”.

The lyrics start out like this

“The secret side of me, I never let you see

I keep it caged but I can't control it

So stay away from me, the beast is ugly

I feel the rage and I just can't hold it

It's scratching on the walls, in the closet, in the halls

It comes awake and I can't control it

Hiding under the bed, in my body, in my head

Why won't somebody come and save me from this, make it end?

I feel it deep within, it's just beneath the skin

I must confess that I feel like a monster

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun

I must confess that I feel like a monster”

As strange as it sounds, this song started me on a journey to confront some of the dark sides of my soul. God used it to hold a mirror up to me, and I didn’t necessarily like everything that was looking back. I saw Selfishness, pride, ego, desire for recognition, need of other people’s praise and admiration were just a few things that I saw needed Jesus’ healing touch.

Another step on this journey (that continues and will continue for life) was a book recommended to me called, Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership. In it, the author states that most leaders unconsciously lead from their dark impulses- that the desire for leadership itself is a symptom of a dark side that is rising up and trying to exert it’s influence by creating a desire to control others.

Very eye opening book, and it exposed a lot of what was in my life and I also took a look at some of the failed leaders I served under in the past and realized there was some truth in that book- it was their dark side coming to the surface- that they needed to feel fulfilled through being the person in charge.