When I refer to our dark inner selves, I refer to that dominant biologically and spiritually bestial side of our human nature, that dark inner quagmire and cesspit of the most vile urges, lurid temptations and murderous rages conceivable.
This cesspit of potential sinning is our natural inclination, but it need not be our destiny. Whatever temptations urges we experience as they well up into the conscious level of our psyche, we must not recoil in horror and deny that these leanings are us. Yes, they are us, nothing more so.
A good, moral, and wise adult must live with the truth, and by accepting her personal frailty and fallen nature, she then can come up with coping mechanisms to rechannel those dark urges into civilized behavior.
Our fallen natures are us, but we have recessive goodness in us too, that we can strengthen that weak, good inner nature until it is the dominant force in our will, a good will now, that will help us make consistently virtuous choices, and we become creatures of good moral character.
Our sinful nature is us, but it need not be our total outcome, and that is quite hopeful, and that is why Jesus died on the cross, to open the gates of heaven, so we could enjoy a brighter future.
We must face our temptations forthrightly and calmly with courage and remind oneself that that is not all that one is, and one will exercise self-control and act as a good person would act.
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