Teens are dangerously enticed by spooky stuff. And it’s all over the place in movies, video games, books. We need to be intentional to not intrigue them further, and to help them say NO to anything of an occult nature. Teens need to know exactly what the Lord shows us about all that. Here are the basics of a three-point lesson I did for a group of teens. Feel free to use/share it.
Intro
Our view of dark powers/demons seems to come from movies/cartoons, but that view is actually backwards from reality! Think about it. In movies, dark entities have all kinds of power and seem able to do whatever they want. Everyone’s scared to death. But at some point, the hero figures out how to outsmart them. So we tend to be really spooked by dark powers we see portrayed; but we also, sort of subconsciously, get the idea that we can have an adventure with the darkness—like take a few steps into occult practice?—but will be smart enough to step back at a crucial moment, like the movie hero. In reality, yes, demons have some power and knowledge. But their real talent is cleverness. After all, they’ve had bazillions of years to practice! So we shouldn’t have the naïve idea that we can step into darkness and be savvy enough not to go too far, that we can outsmart them. No. If we’re aiming to walk the Lord’s path, we will NOT step into something dark, and we will also live boldly, unafraid, because the Lord’s power is on our side, no matter what.
Sometimes the dark side works.
Read Acts 16:16-35. The fortune-teller was obviously trying to drum up extra business for herself by hanging with the crowds following Paul and Silas. And what she shouted was true: Paul and Silas were God’s servants, showing people the way of salvation! But when Paul got fed up, he commanded the spirit in her to depart. Then she lost her abilities. (That’s what angered her owners, who then stirred up the crowd to get Paul and Silas thrown into prison.) The girl actually did have some sort of “gift,” but it wasn’t from God.
Writer Richard Rohr (whose “Christian” material promotes dabbling in assorted pagan beliefs/practice) told of speaking with both a Hindu guru and a Catholic guru in India who each “told me things about me that he had no way of knowing by natural means” (From Wild Man to Wise Man, p 134, 135). Meaning, Rohr was impressed with their powers and seemed to consider them legit. I hear Christians defend the consulting with pagan practitioners or dabbling in occult practice. The thinking appears to be that if something seems correct, if it “works,” then it must represent spiritual power that’s OK with God. But doing things that God forbids can’t be OK. (See Deuteronomy 18:9-13 for a statement of forbidden practice; Acts 17:11 about examining the Scriptures to compare anything we’re being told; and 2 Thessalonians 2:9 that the work of Satan includes “counterfeit miracles.”)
The dark side knows the Lord—and is afraid of him!
Read Mark 5:1-20 (and the parallel account in Luke 8:26-39). See how the demon(s) knew Jesus—and obviously knew the power he had. See the repeated begging not to be sent back to the darkness. James 2:18, 19 reminds us that the demons believe there is one God. They know who he is… “and shudder” (also see Mark 1:23-28).
This should encourage us. We’re on the side of the all-powerful Lord. Scripture reminds us to be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10; which means, firmly obeying and trusting him) and not to be afraid of difficult things in this life. When we really understand and boldly live that, we realize that it’s the dark side that’s pathetic and in trouble.
The dark side knows if you’re faking your connection to the Lord.
Read Acts 19:13-20. Interesting that these seven phonies thought they could use “the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches” (v. 13) as just another magic word. Or maybe they thought that, if there actually was an entity named Jesus, they had the power to command him to respond. Whatever. The seven guys were in for a rude awakening. The demon wasn’t intimidated at all. (The teens in my class were shocked when I said I “loved” how the demon called out the fakery and beat the guys up. Ha!)
And so? Say NO to the dark side. “Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:19). Get on the Lord’s side and stay there. Be the real deal. Live every day according to “Jeremiah’s 4S Strategy.” And remember that you have the weapons you need: the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). These bookmarks are good reminders of that truth. Keep one close at hand, on a mirror, in a locker…
