Apologies if this isn't the right sub, but it seems like there may be an overlap of people who look at psychological hard truths and still want to follow Jesus. Mods, if this is the wrong place, feel free to remove.

I'm very interested in the Jungian idea of a "dark triad" and how it's necessary to integrate it. E.g. if you don't acknowledge your violent nature, you're more likely to act out of violence. If you acknowledge and integrate it (like taking self-defense courses), then it presents less of a threat to you.

I have two competing thoughts about it.

  1. Is this contrary to the idea of the Holy Spirit making us into a new creation? It seems like it may be accepting of sin nature and just trying to manage it.

  2. Or is it more like what God says to Cain—sin is crouching at your door, and you must master it or it will master you. In psychology, repression is the idea where the more you reject a desire, the stronger it will come back. I always thought it was BS people use to justify behaviour until I read how it's a widely-accepted phenomenon among psychologists. When I acknowledge my own negative traits without bowing to them—in that moment I feel a great deal of peace.

Anyhow, thought I'd ask some other folks who may have some insights. I welcome thoughtful disagreement or questions. Thanks!