If you haven’t read it, you are at least familiar with the book Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The book was written by Robert Louis Stevenson and published in 1886. It’s about a London lawyer who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde. The book is known for its portrayal of a psychotic condition known as “split personality.” The phrase “Jekyll and Hyde” syndrome has even made its way into pop culture in describing someone with a split personality.
Christians deal with the “Jekyll and Hyde” syndrome as well. We want to do the right thing. We want to guard our tongue. We want to think pure thoughts. But does that happen? Not always.
We find ourselves battling. We know the right things to do.
Don’t gossip.
Be kind to one another.
Treat others as you would like to be treated.
But at times, doing those things is a challenge.
Then, there are moments, when, perhaps more filled with the Spirit than at other times, we say encouraging things. We help others. We have a benevolent spirit.
When those times come, we feel good about ourselves and about life. It feels good to help someone. It warms your heart to say an encouraging word. So, why can’t we do that all the time?
The reason is that there is a battle going on inside every Christian called “the battle of the flesh and the spirit.” And the flesh is strong. We can crucify it daily but it comes back. It comes back because it’s strong!
One day we can experience peace and contentment. The next day, due to the strength of the flesh, we can battle envy and greed.
One day we can experience the peace of Christ. The next day, anger can fill our hearts.
The apostle Paul described this dilemma when he said, “For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me…. (Romans 7:19-20).
I can identify with that!
So, every Christian deals with the “Jekyll and Hyde” syndrome to some degree. So, how do you handle it?
The first step is to be aware of it.
Second, when we find ourselves battling, James tells us “Submit therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
Know that the power of the Holy Spirit in us is greater than the power of the flesh and if we will ask the Lord, He will help us deal with our temptation.
So, when you are having a “Jekyll” attack, ask the Lord for strength so that the “Hyde” side will be more evident in our lives.