We wouldn't even bother talking about the devil today if it wasn't that so many Christian boys and girls don't know about all the awesome, supernatural things Jesus does in our everyday lives.

The only power they ever see or hear about is what they read or see in the wrong kinds of books or movies. Most kids seldom learn they can experience the supernatural every day of their lives just by learning to recognize God's voice.

The devil takes advantage of this. He has successfully tricked thousands of Christians into believing God doesn't do miracles anymore—that it all ended when the last person in the Bible died!

Even in the Bible, there were times Jesus could not perform any miracles because of the unbelief of the people (Matthew 13:58). How sad not to believe our God can do anything!

But once Satan convinced a few Christians to close their hearts to God's power, he went to those who didn't believe in Jesus, and began performing all kinds of false signs and wonders!

He persuaded some to put curses on one another so he could make them sick, or cause bad things to happen to them. He tries to show off his power in some cases doing pointless, crazy things like move tables and chairs across a room, or make spooky noises in a building when no one is there!

None of this has value or meaning that will benefit or bless anyone! He only does these things to show off his power. His purpose is to bring fear and harm to people, or simply get their attention.

There are those who have begun giving themselves over to Satan so they can gain more control over others for their own selfish purposes, like getting even with someone for doing something wrong to them.

Some boys and girls who don't know better, think they want to become witches and warlocks just because their heroes in books and movies all claim to be these things and it looks like fun.

All of these things are a counterfeit of God's ability to work powerful miracles in our lives! People don't know God can give them very accurate details about what is to come in the future. So they call "psychics" on TV (those who try to tell the future by using the devil's power).

They're very hungry for a supernatural god in their lives, but they don't know it's the Most High God they're seeking. He's the only one that can truly satisfy that hunger for miracles!

We must remember Satan tries to find people to help him bring hurt, pain, destruction, and death through counterfeit strength. But God, through power in the name of Jesus, will use us to bring love, joy, peace, and life to others if we let Him!

Source: School Of The Holy Spirit, p. 152 by Becky Fischer
Excerpt permission granted by Kids In Ministry International