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Beware of the evil that can overtake any of us. Describes the new movie, Spiderman 3.

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“Every hero has a choice to face the darkness or be consumed by it.”—Mary Parker

In Spider-Man 3, based on the legendary Marvel Comics series, Peter Parker has finally managed to strike a balance between his devotion to his wife, M.J., and his duties as a superhero. But there is a storm brewing on the horizon. The man who murdered Peter Parker’s uncle is identified, and Peter allows his feelings of anger and revenge to well up inside him.

His Aunt, Mary Parker, warns him, “Revenge is like a poison; it can take us over. Before you know it, it can turn you into something ugly.”She is right, and despite Peter’s optimism about saving himself, he becomes consumed by this inner darkness and even enjoys it—for a time. “Power feels good,” he says, “If you lose yourself to it.”

But there are consequences to having such power. As the Bible says, “You reap what you sow.”

In Peter’s case, the consequences are broken relationships with everyone he dearly loves. Peter finally realizes that he cannot save himself and tells his wife, “I need your help; I have to stop it.”

The Dilemma:

There is something very familiar about this Spider-Man story, because all of us have experienced inner anger, hostility, rage, and even moments of revenge. The apostle Paul once wrote, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway” (Romans 7:18 -19).

This sinful nature that Paul talks about is like the darkness we see take over Spider-Man. This inner darkness (sin) is in all of us, and it can control us. What can be done?

Paul went on to say, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24 -25a).

Finding Freedom from the Darkness Within!
Sin separates you from others and from God. Peter Parker certainly discovered this to be true.

In Romans 3:25 we read, “For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past.”

God’s Incredible Promise:

When we let God control our lives, He “produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control....Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there” (Galatians 5:22-24).

Mary Parker is right. “Every hero has a choice—to face the darkness—or be consumed by it.”

Make this your day to make the right choice!

The right choice can be made with a simple prayer : Heavenly Father, I put my trust in Jesus, who sacrificed His life for me. Please forgive my sins that have separated me from You. I accept Jesus as the leader and Savior of my life. I am asking Your Holy Spirit to fill me with love, joy, and peace and to help me to overcome my inner darkness. Amen.