DOES THE DEVIL Make us Sick?

How Does Satan Work?

In almost every instance, the only connection between Satan and human illness is the fact that Satan tempted the first human couple, and they fell into sin.  He and his demons are not the direct cause of each and every malady.  However, Satan is not above trying to influence us to make unwise decisions and compromise our faith, which might result in damage to our health.  He did not bewitch, murder, or strike Adam and Eve with illness.  He persuaded Eve to disobey God, and Adam followed her  path of disobedience.  Sickness and death were part of the outcome. -Romans 5:19.

An unfaithful prophet named Balaam was hired by the king of Moab to curse the nation of Israel, which was threateningly encamped on Moab's borders.  Balaam tried to curse Israel,but he failed because the nation was under Jehovah's protection.  The Moabites then set out to lure Israel into committing idolatry and sexual immorality.  This tactic succeeded and Israel lost Jehovah's protection. - Numbers 22:5, 6,  12, 35; 24:10; 25:1+9; Revelation2:14. 

We can learn an important lesson from that ancient event.  Divine help gives faithful worshipers of God protection from direct attack by wicked spirits.  However, Satan may try to get individuals to compromise their faith.  He may try to lure them into immorality.  Or, like a roaring lion, he may try to scare them into acting in a way that deprives them of God's protection.  (1 Peter 5:8) That is why the apostle Paul calls Satan "the one having the means to cause death." -Hebrews 2:14. 

The grandmother of Owmadji tried to persuade Hawa to use amulets and fetishes as a protection against sickness.  What would have happened if Hawa had given in?  She would have betrayed a lack of complete trust in Jehovah God, and she could no longer have been confident of his protection. -Exodus 20:5; Matthew 4:10; 1 Corinthians 10:21.



Next time: Conclusion of How Does Satan Work?

Watchtower, 1999