The Allure and Struggle of The Dark Side

Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious is one heck of a vile bad guy in Star Wars.  This half-baked (quite literally due to his own force lightning) person who seized control of the entire galaxy in one felt swoop, didn't operate as obviously as he does later in saga.  Palpatine seems, at first, like a genuine caring chancellor that is trying to fight for the freedoms of a planet in the Republic.  However, over time, his rise to position and power shows more and more of his hand for complete dominance and authority.  It's through the rise of Anakin Skywalker, that we see more of the inSidious (see what I did there) plot to manipulate this powerful rising Jedi Knight to become his greatest servant for his will.  Anakin only wanted to grow in power to save his wife from a premonition he had about her death in child birth.  Palpatine saw this desire of power and used it for himself to create confusion in Anakin as well as giving him the promise of gaining power to save his wife. This, of course, was a ploy for control to force Anakin to destroy all other Jedi to gain such power that ended up costing Anakin his body and the life of his love.  With nowhere else to go and having lost everything, we see Anakin become a full servant in body and heart to the new Emperor and his will. Such an absolute tragedy.  You really feel for Anakin and blown away at the sheer evil of Palpatine.

Did you know that there is a force in this world that acts very much like Palpatine? We have been warned about it at different times. Back in Genesis, we saw a snake tempt Eve slowly into disobeying God's instructions about the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. It was the promise that Eve would be like God, raising her status and not addressing the cost of the decision.  However, there was an impact of nakedness/separation from God that was experienced (Genesis 3:1-7). Or the warning that God gave to Cain when he was angry at for God not accepting his sacrifice. "You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master." (Genesis 4:7).  As a follower of Jesus there can still be the pull from our "dark side" or sinful nature which Paul shares in Romans 7:14-21 and Galatians 5:17. Yet, there is still hope, we are not left in our struggle and can remember that we find our answer/victory in Christ that is directed by the Holy Spirit (Romans 7:25 and Galatians 5:18)

Has there been a pull toward something that has been promising you peace, power, position; but has only let you down or worse off than you were before? Try pushing back against the dark side urges and go to what the Spirit gives us through trusting in Jesus (Galatians 5:22-25).

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