The Dark Side

For some reason, the original Star Wars trilogy has been aired on TV several times in recent weeks. I remember when the first of what now is a six part series burst onto the scene. It was a refreshingly new movie that helped usher in a whole new series of space movies.

As you recall two of the key characters are Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. Talk about opposites! Luke represented all that was fresh, new and innocent. He was ready to take on the evil empire and be a force for good in the universerse. Darth Vader, on the other hand, was an evil warrior for the Dark Side. He embodied what it really meant to be a villain. He was cold, cruel, and evil.

In one of the key scenes of the original triology, Luke and Vader are in a duel with their light sabers. During the course of the sparring Vader is constantly trying to lure young Luke to the "Dark Side," to join him on the side of evil. Luke steadfastly resisted the temptation even when it appeared that death was the alternative.

Is there a lession from Star Wars? Of course. What Darth Vader was to Luke and all that was good in the fictional universe of Star Wars, Satan is to the real universe. He is the ruler of all that is dark and evil. Like his Hollywood counterpart, Satan wants to lure us to the Dark Side. Especially vulnerable among us are the young. Those seem to be his most important targets.

How do we resist him? How do we help the young among us resist him? Two things are most important. First, a healthy and regular diet of the Word of God. Read the Bible daily! Second, consistent time spent with the one who has conquered the darkness with His wonderful light. Pray often!

Don't be lured to the dark side. Walk in light! (Check out Ephesians 5:8)

Johnny