THE ENEMY WITHIN (2)

'There is another power within me that is at war with my mind...' Romans 7:23

A suicide note is found at the body of a brilliant doctor. The genius has created a potion which enables a person to behave in ways uncharacteristic of themselves. The potion takes away the things that bind and opens up a new freedom and courage. Except the freedom sets loose a savage. No longer sensitive to the lives of others, the potion encourages wild selfish mood swings and awakens deadly desires. Soon murder is permissible; nothing stands in the way of the selfish desire.

It's like a destructive alter-ego birthed in man. And so Dr Jekyll sees no alternative but suicide - only then will he be rid of his soul's dark shadow: Mr. Hyde. Robert Louis Stevenson's famous dark tale serves as a warning to the monster within. Paul is only too aware of our Jekyll and Hyde nature, 'I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to sin that is still within me' (Rom. 7:22-23 NLT). No potion necessary, we all have a wild savage let loose inside us. The trick is to starve Mr Hyde and feed Dr Jekyll.

Feed your prayer life; starve your wild thought-life. Feed your Bible reading; starve your sin. Feed your values; starve temptation.

What now? Identify moments you are at your weakest. What could you put in place to help you stand the next time you are facing a fall?

written by Bob Gass