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Devotional

THE FORCE WITHIN, part 8: The Dark Side

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Read Luke 12:1-3

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1 NLT).

From the eternal struggle between light and darkness to the quest for redemption and the power of hope, Star Wars offers profound insights into the human condition and the mysteries of the divine. Through the Force , the saga explores the interconnectedness of all life and the call to embrace our inner potential for goodness and compassion. As we journey through the galaxy, we will be uncovering the transformative truths that resonate deeply with our own faith journeys.

Part 8: The Dark Side: In our ongoing exploration of themes within the Star Wars saga, we’ve delved into various aspects, from the enduring power of friendship to the transformative journey of individuals. Today, our focus shifts to a darker aspect—the insidious corruption embodied by Emperor Palpatine, also known as Darth Sidious. From his cunning rise to power in the prequels to his sinister reign in the original trilogy and beyond, Palpatine’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of succumbing to the allure of power and control.

Imagine the grand halls of the Galactic Senate, where Palpatine, shrouded in political intrigue, manipulates events from the shadows, exploiting the fears and ambitions of those around him. Like a master puppeteer, he orchestrates conflicts and schemes, leading the galaxy down a path of darkness and destruction.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus warns his disciples to beware of hypocrisy, likening it to yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough. Palpatine’s corruption likewise spreads like a malignant force, infecting institutions and individuals alike. His thirst for power knows no bounds, leading him to deceive even those closest to him, twisting their loyalty into instruments of his own will.

The Book of Proverbs echoes this sentiment, reminding us that a good reputation is more valuable than material wealth. Palpatine’s pursuit of power tarnishes not only his name but also the very fabric of society, emphasizing the destructive nature of corruption and manipulation.

But the allure of corruption is not limited to the fictional realm of Star Wars. In our own lives, we encounter similar temptations—to compromise our integrity for personal gain, to manipulate others to serve our own agendas. Just as Palpatine’s grip on power corrupts the very fabric of society, so too can our actions, if left unchecked, sow seeds of discord and destruction.

Yet amidst the darkness, there is hope. The light of truth shines brightest in the face of deception. Just as the Jedi Knights in Star Wars stand as beacons of justice and righteousness, so too are we called to stand firm against the forces of corruption and manipulation. Through humility and integrity, we can resist the allure of power and strive to build a better world.

In practical terms, this means actively discerning and confronting instances of corruption and manipulation in our daily interactions. It requires us to cultivate a vigilant spirit, always attuned to the subtle whispers of darkness seeking to sway us from the path of righteousness. We must not turn a blind eye to injustice or compromise our principles for the sake of expediency. Instead, we are called to embody the courage and conviction of the Jedi, standing firm in our commitment to truth and integrity, even in the face of adversity.

Let us engage with our communities and spheres of influence, working to dismantle systems of corruption and oppression wherever they may be found. By speaking out against injustice, advocating for the marginalized, and holding those in positions of power accountable, we can actively contribute to the transformation of our world.

In doing so, we become agents of light in a world too often shrouded in darkness. Just as the Jedi Order sought to bring balance to the Force, so too can we strive to restore harmony and justice to our society. It is through our collective efforts, fueled by the fire of compassion and fueled by the force of truth, that we can build a future where corruption and manipulation hold no sway, and where the light of righteousness shines brightly for all to see.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Let us guard against the subtle whispers of corruption and manipulation, remembering that true power lies in righteousness and humility.

PRAYER
Lord, grant us the strength to resist the temptations of power and to walk in integrity and truth. Help us to be vigilant against the forces of corruption and manipulation, and guide us in building a world founded on justice and righteousness. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI.

Devotional

The Sermon, part 27: The False Ones

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Read Matthew 7:15-23

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:11-13 NRSV)

“Beware of False prophets”, Jesus warns his disciples in the Gospel According to Matthew.” This is not a warning of outsiders coming into Christian circles to lead them astray, but of insiders. This is a warning that Jesus makes to his disciples regarding other Christians who call Jesus, “Lord, Lord,” but are only do so with their mouth and not with their deeds. Their words produce praises of Jesus, but their actions contradict and stand against the will of God as given through Jesus Christ.

Since I am in a huge Star Wars mood at the moment, I will liken Jesus’ warning to the first three episodes of the Star Wars franchise. Young Anakin Skywalker had such potential to be a powerful and just Jedi, as well as to be the one who restores the balance to the force and defeats the evil Sith. Yet, Anakin is seduced by the very evil that he is sworn to oppose. That evil, however, did not come in the form of evil. Instead, it came in the form of a kind and seemingly generous old Senator from the noble planet of Naboo.

Senator Palpatine was seemingly a patriot, a friend and ally of the Jedi, and someone who consistently stated he wanted to restore justice to the Republic. When he met young Anakin Skywalker, he acted as a grandfather like character and, behind the scenes, secretly mentored the young Jedi padawan. Unfortunately, behind his kindly words and seemingly sagely advice, lie the sinister and poisonous tongue of an evil and powerful sith Lord.

Over time, Palpatine gained the loyalty of Anakin Skywalker, and was able to lead him to the dark side of the force. Just as Palpatine was being revealed as the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, what good was left in Anakin died and he became the Sith Lord Darth Vader. Together, they would topple the democratic Republic and establish the evil Galactic Empire, ruling the entire galaxy in complete and utter tyranny.

This tragedy is what Jesus is warning his disciples against; however, we need to pause before move to the final point. This particular passage troubles me; however, I do not dismiss it or pass it off as untrue or unimportant. It troubles me because the accusation of “False Prophet” gets weilded around Christianity like Darth Sidious weilded the world “Rebellion” and “Traitor”. It gets thrown out against other Christians who hold different theologies and doctrinal understandings but self-righteous and zealot Christians who think that their way of understanding is the ONLY and RIGHT way of understanding.

I can tell you that I have been called a false prophet, as have many Christian leaders out there. I don’t just mean modern Christians either. Paul was called a “false Apostle” by his Jewish-Christian brothers and sisters. Even Jesus was called a false prophet and false Messiah by some of the Jewish leaders who opposed him. Using the label “false prophet” in such away is not only counter to Jesus’ intent here, it also bears the kind of evil that we see in Sidious and Vader who accuse and destroy their opponents.

To throw this accusation out willy nilly because one doesn’t agree with another brother or sister in Christ, not only besmirches them, it also spiritually damages them and blasphemes the Holy Spirit working within them. That kind of blasphemy, according to Jesus, is the ONLY unforgiveable kind of sin because it goes beyond mere sin and enters the realm of evil. One no longer sees God as supreme, but places onself in the seat of God’s supremacy. Such a person is no longer aware of their own sin, but sees their sinfulness and sinful nature as just and righteous. Of course, not all who have been afraid of false prophets, or thrown that accusation around, are irredeemable. I believe no one is irredeemable; however, Jesus’ warning is rightfully strong, because once someone has crossed over that threshold, it is very hard to come back.

Thus, here is Jesus’ point. Not all who call themselves Christian are TRULY followers of Lord Jesus Christ. Only those who do the will of God are. This isn’t measured in one perfectly following the will of God; however, it is measured in their heart and in their overall fruit. Only God can judge the heart, but we can see evidence of the fruit. So, what kind of fruit does a Christian bear? That is simple: LOVE. Those who strive to love God, love neighbor, love enemies, and follow the golden rule, are the ones who are true followers. Those who claim to be Christian but bear the fruit of judgment, self-righteousness, bitterness, envy, hatred, resentfulness, and pride are the ones Christ is warning us against. Be warned and be self-aware.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
“Words are cheap, heart-driven actions are costly.” – Rev. Todd R. Lattig

PRAYER
Lord, steer me away from all who are false, and steer me away from being false. Amen.