When I grew up children and teenagers would climb rooftops to prove their courage. Nowadays they post video clips of themselves eating superhot chips. Here in Benin, young people use spiritual forces to measure their strength. Sometimes with deadly consequences.

Recently a traditional feast took place in the village of Koussakou. Often, during springtime, when the harvest is completed and before the next planting season has begun, families organize big gatherings to remember a parent or grandparent who had died years ago.

Although the underlying event is sad, the get-together is usually joyful. An animal is sacrificed on the tomb, and there is a lot of eating and drinking. At this specific feast, someone decided to demonstrate his spiritual power by “blocking” the food in another young man’s throat. It got stuck after the young man chewed and swallowed the piece of meat he was eating. He tried everything to get it down, but he couldn’t. The person who had caused this through a spell saw that his power worked and was satisfied. He then wanted to use the same power to unblock the other fellow’s throat, but this time, it didn’t work. The power game turned into a deadly trap, and the young man suffocated cruelly, leaving behind his young pregnant wife.

Our evangelist, Daniel, who leads the church group in Koussakou, related this story to us with great sadness. He was shocked at how young people used evil forces for power games. What a useless death! Yes, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. He knows that his time is short and exercises his deadly power wherever and whenever possible.

We must not underestimate Satan’s power, but we also don’t need to fear it. On the cross, Jesus won the victory. Satan is defeated, and people need to hear that. Time is short!

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