SWDD #2: Count Dooku

Today's SWDD character is Darth Tyranus/Count Dooku. Born to a noble family on the planet Serenno and trained by Master Yoda, Dooku showed promise and renowned skill as a Jedi Knight and was eventually labeled as one of the best swordsman in the galaxy. However, Jedi scandals, the "foolishness" of the Jedi council, and a failed Jedi mission (the Battle of Galidraan) whittled at his faith in the Jedi Order and eventually he broke away from it and gave in to the Dark Side. After doing so, he became a newly-christened Darth Tyranus, and served as an apprentice to the Emperor/Darth Sidious. Throughout the prequel films (as well as the Star Wars The Clone Wars TV series) Dooku frequently ridicules the Jedi for being too weak and naive, claiming that their unwillingness to embrace the Dark Side of the force results in their downfall. Yoda frequently claims that Dooku was a bright Padawan, yet he simply became too infatuated with the Dark Side's teachings.

Christopher Lee as Count Dooku
Image Credit: Lucasfilms

Romans 12:21 says "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (NIV). For Dooku, his lustful heart was drawn to the power that he could get from the dark side. Similar to Judas Iscariot, Dooku lost faith in the Jedi Order after it proved to be a disappointment to his expectations. Rather than becoming immersed in good, he slipped and let his doubt, fear, and anger take over him. For me personally, it is easy to be overcome by the sinful standards of today's culture. There lies a great temptation for me to not spend time in God's word. But if I want to overcome evil, I must do so with good. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that "Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that." In the same way, God's word can help me overcome evil with good, rather than being overcome by evil.