Monsters from the Id ∙∙

Monsters from the Id ∙∙

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead – Philippians 3:13

Philippians 3:3-11

3 For we who worship by the Spirit of God . . .We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,
6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
11 so that one way or another, I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

The 1956 science fiction film Forbidden Planet stands as a groundbreaking precursor to modern sci-fi cinema. In this movie, a mysterious and destructive force brings death and destruction in its wake. Ultimately, the source of this force is revealed: it originates from within sentient beings themselves, manifesting as Monsters from the Id.

The Id is a concept from psychoanalytic theory, initially developed by Sigmund Freud. It represents the most primitive part of the human psyche, housing our basic instinctual drives and desires. The Id seeks gratification of its urges without consideration for reality or social appropriateness. It is uncoordinated and impulsive, lacking the rational thought processes that are found in other parts of the mind, like the Ego and Superego, which help mediate and control these instinctual impulses.

Without a relationship with the Father God, we lack the essential elements for spiritual health and vitality. The Father designed us to find true fulfillment and contentment only when He is actively present and involved at the core of our being. Without Him, we’re left to navigate life solely on our own. Many are keenly aware of their darker side. But for others, it is way too easy to block out the fact that they possess a dark side and ignore the existence and its haunting presence of their own Monsters from the Id.

The apostle Paul exemplified a complex blend of humanity’s best and worst traits. In terms of righteousness achieved through human effort, he was nearly flawless and took pride in his accomplishments. Yet, when it came to the righteousness offered solely by God, Paul fell short and was totally deficient. In fact, without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, Paul considered himself the greatest sinner of all time.

In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul states, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’—and I am the worst of them!”

Paul was burdened with deep regrets. Reflecting on his past, he undoubtedly felt overwhelming guilt and shame for his skewed, distorted thinking and the havoc it had caused. But everything changed when he came face-to-face with the Lord Jesus Christ. In his journey with Christ, as he walked with Him, Paul discovered the open secret of how to overcome his regrets.

He did a mental calculation, reevaluated his life, and deemed both his greatest achievements and the haunting memories of his past worthless, mere rubbish, garbage, and waste. Paul resolved that his base subconscious memories and desires would no longer dominate him. Instead, he learned to master and control them.

He consciously chose to leave his past behind, striving for a profound, personal, and intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. His focus shifted from seeking worldly success and obtaining the things that it offered to knowing and experiencing the Father.

Philippians 3:8-10 captures his transformation:

8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.

REFLECT & PRAY

Haunting memories from the past can linger in our minds. We have the choice to either give them power, nurture them, and let them grow, or disavow them and revoke their power and control over our lives.

Father, my nightmares often feel like personal “Monsters from the Id,” and I yearn for freedom. Through your mighty strength, I choose to reject and dismantle their hold and oppression.

INSIGHT

Philippians 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

The Greek word for “count” is hegeomai, which literally means to lead or go before. Metaphorically, it involves forming an opinion after considering the facts to think, regard, reckon, or esteem. As Bob Dylan might say, it’s about “changing your way of thinking.”

Paul’s decision was a result of careful consideration, free from emotional sway, whether positive or negative. It wasn’t made in haste, but after deep reflection on the truths, he had come to understand. With this clarity, he decided where he was going to take his stand and stood fast. He never had to look back again. He firmly chose his path and never wavered, setting his sights on the future that lay before him.

The Father had invited him to participate in His kingdom work. His journey was now defined by Paul’s earnest desire to fulfill his calling.

As stated in Luke 9:62, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Paul accepted the Father’s invitation to engage in His kingdom’s work, and his present and future were now firmly anchored in his calling.

Through trial and error, Paul learned to cultivate a profound friendship and fellowship with the Father. He no longer sought righteousness through his own efforts but received it as a gift of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Once considered the chief of sinners, he became a committed and devoted bondservant of Christ.

The Greek word translated as “rubbish” or “dung” in the King James Version is skubala. In everyday language, skubala refers to waste discarded to dogs, while in medical terms, it means excrement.

Does your past haunt you? Perhaps it’s time for a personal evaluation of your failures and achievements. It might be time to put the past behind you once and for all. In the end, like Paul, you will gain much more than you lose.

Ultimately, this is the Father’s way of helping you extinguish the haunting Monsters of the Id.

¯_(ツ)_/¯7-03-2s

© Dr. H 2024