The ID is another word for the subconscious mind; it was made famous in a 1956 Science Fiction epic called Forbidden Planet.  In that movie, monsters from the subconscious minds of a race of super-intelligent beings destroyed their entire civilization in nearly an instant of time.

The monster from the ID has been referenced elsewhere (e.g. Sections 2.1, 2.24 and 8.8 of Theology Corner).  This monster feeds on evil from deep within our sin nature and tells us that we are intrinsically more valuable than those around us.  This monster is constantly driving our souls toward concupiscence, bad judgement, inconsistent will and weariness engendered by the constant struggle against temptation.  But when we look deep within ourselves, do we see a monster?  Of course not!  We see an intelligent, wise, and caring person who is a victim of circumstances and surely must be entitled to some sort of redress by the people around us.  We say, “On this issue, I claim my right to myself.  I will use my own standards to pronounce judgement.  I have sufficient wisdom so that, in this case, I can act as my own god.” 

Oswald Chambers expressed some interesting thoughts on this strange god.

 

What is it that binds me in this ‘my day?’  Have I a strange god – not a disgusting monster, but a disposition that rules me?  More than once God has brought me face to face with the strange god and I thought I should have to yield, but I did not do it.  I got through the crisis by the skin of my teeth, and I find myself in the possession of the strange god still; I am blind to the things which belong to my peace.  It is an appalling thing that we can be in the place where the Spirit of God should be getting at us unhinderedly, and yet increase our condemnation in God’s sight.

‘If thou hadst known’ – God goes direct to the heart, with the tears of Jesus behind.  These words imply culpable responsibility; God holds us responsible for what we do not see.  ‘Now they are hid from thine eyes’ – because the disposition has never been yielded.  (Chambers, April 3rd)