Is the Dark Side Awakening in You?

A theme of the Star Wars saga is the choice between the “light side” and the “dark side” of the force. Christians actually face a very similar choice.

Once again, entreaties of “Don’t go to the dark side” echo throughout the theaters as fans watch Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. 

Once again, the “dark side of the force” has arisen and created conflict throughout the galaxy. Some of the characters might be different, but the essentials of the story are all the same: Someone yields to the dark side and embroils the galaxy in war as he tries to establish control.

There is a dark side

In the Star Wars universe, the “dark side” is the part of the force that appeals to the negative aspects of human nature and creates conflict. In the real world, there is a “dark side” that is much more powerful, deadly and mysterious.

There is a force, a spiritual force, that has power over mankind. This force transmits its ideas and thoughts to everyone on the planet (Ephesians 2:2). The deceptive power of this force is so powerful that the entire world is under its sway (Revelation 12:9).

The source of the real dark side is Satan the devil. Just as many of the characters in the Star Wars series scoff at the idea of the force, many scoff at the existence of Satan. One of his tactics is convincing people that he doesn’t exist. When people are ignorant of him, they are more susceptible to his influence.

Lures of the dark side

Satan utilizes our negative emotions, just as the dark side does in the Star Wars saga.

• Fear. In Star Wars various Sith leaders have been motivated by fear. Anakin Skywalker was motivated by a fear of his wife’s death. In the new movie, fear of inadequacy is a constant factor in Kylo Ren’s behavior.

Christians, on the other hand, are not to be motivated by fear. Instead of fear, we are to be motivated by love (1 John 4:18). With love as our motivating factor, it will be possible for us to take courage (Joshua 1:6).

• Anger. A dangerous motivator is anger, as seen by the various temper tantrums that the pawns of the dark side throw in the various movies.

Anger is also a dangerous threat to us. Uncontrolled anger often leads to murderous thoughts that, if not checked, can lead to violence (Genesis 4:6-8). Instead of letting our anger grow, we must stop anger immediately so we don’t “give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

• Impatience. The dark side is the easy and the fast way to power. Lies, thievery, deceit and murder all seem acceptable when you are impatient and want success as fast and easy as it can come.

But godly character is not developed easily or quickly, but through consistent hard work and growth. Christ said that the road we have to take is narrow and difficult (Matthew 7:13-14).

• Bitterness. Another factor in going to the dark side is bitterness. Bitterness doesn’t come out of nothing, but slowly grows and develops until it encompasses our actions, sometimes accompanying jealousy and envy (Hebrews 12:15; James 3:14).

• Vengeance. Vengeance is another motivating factor, as seen by Anakin’s beheading of Count Dooku as retribution for his severed arm or slaughtering the Sand People for killing his mother.

Vengeance is a common motivation and has encouraged massacres in real life (Genesis 34). Instead of taking vengeance ourselves, Christians are to leave vengeance to God (Romans 12:19).

A choice

In the end, it all comes down to a choice. In order to keep Satan and his darkness out of our lives, we must draw closer to God (James 4:7). Though some people liken the “light side” of the force to God’s Holy Spirit, it is not a true comparison—because God’s Spirit has only light (1 John 1:5). The “dark side” would be the spirit of Satan, which operates totally independent from God’s Spirit.

A common theme of the Star Wars saga is that the path you choose is a choice. No character is ever forced to embrace the dark side. It is always a choice.

We have a similar choice before us today. We can choose the light, or we can choose the darkness (1 John 1:5-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:5).

Which will you choose?

Movie still from Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens