Conclusion of How Does Satan Work?
Satan tried persuasion with Job too. Robbing him of his family, his wealth and he health was not enough. Job was also given very bad counsel by his wife when she said: "Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9) Then he was visited by three "friends" who made a concerted effort to convince him that he was to blame for his sickness. (Job 19:1-3) In this way Satan took advantage of Job's weakened state to try to discourage him and shake his confidence in Jehovah's righteousness. Yet, Job continued to lean on Jehovah as his only hope. -Compare Psalm 55:22.
When we are sick, we too may become depressed. In such a situation, Satan is quick to try to make us act in some way that will compromises our faith. Hence, when illness strikes it is important to keep in mind that the basic cause of our suffering is likely inherited imperfection rather than some uncanny influence. Remember, faithful Isaac became blind a number of years before his death. (Genesis 27:1) The cause was not wicked spirits but old age. Rachel died while giving birth, not because of Satan, but because of human frailty. (Genesis 35:17-19) Eventually, all the faithful ones of old died-not because of spells or curses but because of inherited imperfection.
Imagining that unseen spirits have a direct influence on every sickness that befalls is a snare. It may inspire a morbid fear of the spirits. Then, when we become sick, we might be tempted to try to appease the demons instead of keeping far away from them. If Satan can scare us into resorting to spiritistic practices that would be a betrayal of the true God, Jehovah. (2 Corinthians 6:15) We should be guided by a respectful fear of God, not by a superstitious fear of of his Adversary. -Revelation 14:7.
Little Owmadji already has the best possible protection against wicked spirits. According to the apostle Paul, God considers her "holy" because she has a believing mother, and her mother can pray for God to be with her daughter by means of holy spirit. (1 Corinthians 7:14) Blessed with such accurate knowledge, Hawa was able to seek effective treatment for owmandji instead of relying on amulets.
Next time: Various Causes of Sickness
Watchtower, 1999
Showing posts with label How Does Satan Work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How Does Satan Work. Show all posts
4.02.2011
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
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
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