The Dark Side

If you do not have a television or you have been hiding under a rock, then you might not know that Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is making movie history. In 1977 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope broke all box office records. For you Star Wars novices, Episodes IV, V, and VI detail the exploits of Luke Skywalker as he flies through the galaxy to defeat the Evil Empire and the one who embodies that empire, Darth Vader. Episodes I, II, and III explain Anakin Skywalker’s descent into evil. He would become Darth Vader once his allegiance to the “dark side” was complete. It was a surprise to most viewers to learn that the evil Darth Vader was the father of the virtuous twins Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia. This is a story that has unfolded before rapt movie audiences over a span of nearly 30 years! The applications that can be made of this epic story are endless. Anakin Skywalker was drawn to the ‘dark side’ by his anger, greed, and selfishness. It was his own pride and high estimation of himself that the dark emperor, Palpatine, used against him. He convinced Anakin that his true destiny would be found once he left behind the goodness that his mentor taught him. When we are moved by anger, greed, and selfishness, we allow evil to shape our lives. Families are destroyed. Friendships will fail us. Churches can be disassembled. Our careers can careen off course. Our reputations can become ruined. Our Christian witness will be withered. Our faith will falter. Christians are people who know the truth about the lies of the Evil One. He tells us that the ways of Christ are for the weak and foolish. He tells us that if we will follow the desires of our heart, we will find true happiness. The truth is that Christians follow the light of the world, Jesus Christ. Rather than accept the lies of evil, we allow Jesus Christ to form the values by which we will live. As we grow to be more like him, the promises of darkness hold less appeal. The allure to come to the “dark side” of life and follow evil is strong. Many people give up on the journey and fall into sin. But I believe that Christ is stronger than evil. 1 John 4:4 says in part, “...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” It is in His greatness that we rest our case. We surrender to His will, and in so doing destroy the work of evil that began in the Garden. You are in an epic struggle. Trust Christ for the victory.