Fear is the Path to the Dark Side

Earlier this week was May the 4th. For those of you that are Star Wars fans or are on any sort of social media, you probably saw something about “May the Fourth be with You.” Translation: “May the Force be with You” - a saying that is common throughout all of the Star Wars movies.

I have always found the Star Wars movies interesting. After becoming a Christian, I viewed the movies in a somewhat different light. I found similarities with the movies’ themes and with those in the Bible. Let me be clear - the Bible is the ultimate authority and our Almighty God reigns forever. I am not pledging allegiance to the Jedi’s or the Republic but to Jesus. I just find myself thinking and making connections. I have always said I wished I had an opportunity to write a paper to compare and contrast the themes of Star Wars and the Bible, so here is a small chance to put what goes on in my head on paper!

Let me start with a little bit of background.

In Episode I, we find a young Anakin Skywalker. We find Anakin in front of the Jedi Counsel. For those of you that aren’t Star Wars fans, this would be like in front of the Board. One wise member of the Jedi Counsel is Yoda. Yoda says to Anakin “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” 

Spoiler Alert: If you haven’t watched Star Wars and want to you might want to stop reading here. If you don’t mind or know what happens, please continue!

We watch in the other episodes that Anakin does become consumed by fear. The compassionate young man experiences losses and in turn he becomes very fearful of loss. This fear turns to anger and hatred just as Yoda predicted. Prophetic Yoda was. Anakin turns to the dark side and eventually becomes Darth Vader, the villain.

Star Wars is a Hollywood movie, but if you stop and think about it, you may see fear playing out similarly in your own life. For me, fear leads to lack of control which can lead to anger which can lead to resentment, if I am not careful. I have to remind myself that the “force” we have in our reality is much greater than the force portrayed in Star Wars.

We have God - the greatest overcomer of fear.

He is with us.

Psalm 23:4 tells us that “even though I walk through the darkest valley. I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Why is this so easy to forget?

Proverbs 29:25 says “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

Isaiah 41:10 gives us yet another reminder “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Those are just a few quick verses. There are many others. 

Fear is real and it is one of the greatest tools in the enemy’s tool box. I believe many of us struggle with it.

The enemy tries his best to insert fear in the places of us that are vulnerable. It delights him to see us so consumed by it so much that we fail to turn to the One that can comfort us, give us strength to face it, and get rid of it through trust - God. 

I pray that I recognize fear and work hard to not fall into the footsteps of Anakin Skywalker by turning to Scripture, praying and sharing my experiences with others!

- Jody Lukowiak, Children’s Pastor