YOUTHS-RESIST THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD

Rejecting the World's Spirit

Tragically, some Christian youths have succumbed to the world's spirit.  "I displayed a fine attitude in front of my parents and fellow Christians," admits one Japanese girl.  "But I was also living another life." Says a youth from Kenya:  "For some time I lived a double life, which included parties, rock music, and having the wrong friends.  I knew this was wrong, but I  tried to ignore it, hoping that  in time it would just go away.   But it didn't.  Things just got worse."  Another youth, from Germany,  says:  "It all started with having the wrong kind of friends.  Then I took up smoking.  I wanted to hurt my parents, but I only hurt myself.

Still, it is possible to resist, yes reject, the world's spirit.  Consider the ancient example of Caleb.  When the ten cowardly spies brought back a bad report about the Promised Land, he, along with Joshua, refused to be intimated and go along with the crowd.   They courageously declared:  "The land that we passed through  to spy it out is a very, very good land.  If Jehovah has found delight in us, then he will certainly bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that is flowing with milk and honey."  (Numbers14:7, 8)  What enabled Caleb to stand up to all that pressure?  Jehovah said of Caleb:  "A different spirit had proved to be with him." -Numbers 14:24.

Next time: Showing "A Different Spirit"

Watchtower, 1999

YOUTHS-RESIST THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD

Manifestations of the World's Spirit


What are some manifestations of the spirit of the world among young people today?  Dishonesty and rebelliousness.  One magazine report stated that more than 70 percent of college juniors and seniors said that they had cheated during  high school.  Flippant, sarcastic and unclean speech are also prevalent.  True, on occasion, Job and the apostle Paul used what some might view as sarcasm to express righteous indignation.  (Job 12:2; 2 Corinthians 12:13)  However, the cruel sarcasm heard on the lips of many young people often amounts to verbal abuse.

Excesses in recreation are also manifestations of the world's spirit.  Youth nightclubs, raves and other forms of wild reveling are popular among young people.  Extremes in dress and grooming are likewise prevalent.  From oversized hip-hop styles to shocking fads, such as body-piercing,many of today's youths identify themselves with the world's rebellious spirit.  (Compare Romans 6:16)  Preoccupation with material possessions is another manifestation.  According to one educational journal, "marketers are pummeling kids at every turn with a formidable arsenal of techniques and panoply [an array] of products." By the time youths in the United States graduate from high school, they will have been exposed to 360,000 TV ads.  Your peers may also pressure you to buy.  Says a 14-year-old girl:  "Everyone is always asking.  'What brand is your sweater, jacket, or jeans?"

Since Bible times, unwholesome music has been a tool of Satan to stimulate unclean behavior.  (Compare Exodus 32:17-19; Psalm 69:12; Isaiah 23:16)  Not surprisingly, then, music with sexually seductive-if not explicit-lyrics, profanity and wild, arousing tempos is popular.  Yet another manifestation of this world's unclean spirit is sexual immorality.   ( 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)  Reports The New York Times:  "Sex for many teenagers has become almost a rite of passage . . . More than two-thirds of high school seniors have had sexual intercourse."  And article in The Wall Street Journal cited evidence that children between the ages of 8 and 12 are "becoming more sexually active."  Says a recently retired school counselor:  "We're beginning to see a few pregnant sixth-graders."

Next time: Rejecting the World's Spirit

Watchtower, 1999

YOUTHS-RESIST THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD

Paul wrote: "It is you God made alive though you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.  Yes, among them we all at one time conducted ourselves in harmony with the desires of the flesh, doing the things willed by the flesh and the thoughts, and we  were naturally children of wrath even as the rest." -Ephesians 2:1-3.

Before learning the Christian way, Christians in Ephesus had been unwitting followers of "the ruler of the authority of the air," Satan the Devil.  That "air is not some literal place where Satan and his demons dwell.  When Paul wrote these words, Satan the Devil and his demons still had access to heaven.  (Compare Job 1-6; Revelation 12:7-12) The word "air" means the spirit or mental attitude, that dominates Satan's world.  (Compare Revelation 16:17-21) Like the air around us, this spirit is everywhere.

But what is "the authority of the air"?  Evidently, this refers to the profound influence this "air" has on people.   Paul said that this spirit "operates in the sons of disobedience."  So the spirit  of disobedience and rebellion, and peer pressure is one way in which this authority is exercised.  "When you're in school," says a young Witness girl, "everyone's always encouraging you to be a little rebellious.  The kids respect you more  if you do something on the edge."

Next time: Manifestations of the World's Spirit

Watchtower, 1999

YOUTHS-RESIST THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD

"Our younger generation is dispirited, rejected and rebelling."  So declared the Australian newspaper the Sun Herald.  It added: "Court record show a 22 percent rise [over the previous  year] in the number of juveniles appearing on charges of serious assault . . .  Kids are killing themselves at a rate that's tripled since the mid 60's . . .And the generation gap has become a veritable gulf down which young people are sliding in ever increasing numbers into a drug, alcohol and self-annihilation oblivion."  This situation is hardly limited to one land, however.  Throughout the world, parents, teachers and mental-health professionals lament the state of young ones.

What a dramatic contrast there is between most of today's youths and the wholesome ones  found in the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses!  Not that they are perfect.  They too have their struggles with "the desires incidental to youth."  (2 Timothy 2:22)  But as a group, these young ones have taken a courageous stand for what is right and have refused to give in to the world's pressures.  We wholeheartedly commend all of you young ones who are winning  the war against Satan's "crafty acts"!  (Ephesians 6:11) Like the apostle John, we are moved to comment:  "I write you, young men [and women], because you are strong and the word of God remains in you and you have conquered the wicked ones." -1John 2:14.

Nevertheless, to continue winning your battle against the wicked one, you must strenuously resist what the Bible calls "the spirit of the world."  ( 1 Corinthians 2:12) According to one authority on Greek, "spirit" can mean "the disposition or influence which fills and governs the soul of anyone."  For example, if you observe that someone is ill-tempered, you might say that he has a bad "spirit."  Your "spirit disposition, or mental inclination influences the choices you make; it drives your actions and speech.  Interestingly, both individuals and group can manifest a "spirit."  The apostle Paul wrote to a group of Christians:  "The undeserved kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ be with the spirit you people show."  (Philemon 25) Just what the spirit, then, does this world manifest?  Since "the whole world is lying in the  power of the wicked one,"  Satan the Devil, the spirit of the world cannot possibly be  be wholesome, can  it? -1 John 5:19.

Next time: Identifying the World's Spirit

Watchtower, 1999

DOES THE DEVIL Make us Sick?

The Long-Term Solution

Sickness is not God's fault.  "With evil things God cannot be tried nor does he  himself try anyone."  (James 1:13)  If one of his worshipers gets sick, Jehovah  sustains him spiritually.  "Jehovah himself will sustain him upon a divan of illness; all his bed you will certainly change during his sickness."  (Psalm 41:3)  Yes, God has compassion.   He wants to help us, not hurt us.

Indeed, Jehovah has a long-term solution for sickness-Jesus' death and resurrection.  By means of Jesus' ransom sacrifice, righthearted ones are redeemed from their sinful condition and will eventually have access to perfect health and eternal life in a paradise earth.  (Matthew 5:5; John 3:16) Jesus' miracles were a preview of the true healing that  God's Kingdom will bring.  God will also remove Satan and  his demons.  (Romans 16:20) Indeed, Jehovah has wonderful things in store for those who exercise faith in him. We just need to be patient and endure.

In the meantime, God dispenses practical wisdom and spiritual direction by means of the Bible and the worldwide brotherhood of faithful worshipers.  He show us how to avoid the vices that cause health problems.  And he provides us with  true friends who will help when problems arise.

Think again of Job.  Going to a witch doctor would have been the worse thing Job could have done!  It would have deprived him of God's protection, and he would have lost out on all the blessings that awaited him after  his ordeal.  God did not forget Job,and he will not forget us.  "You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave,"  Says the disciple James.  (James 5:11) If  we  never give  up, we too will receive wonderful blessings in God's due time.

What happened to little Owmadji?  Her mother remembered an article in The Watchtower's companion magazine, Awake!  About oral rehydration therapy.  She followed its instructions and prepared the solution for Owmadji to drink.  Now the little girl is fine and healthy.

Next time: YOUTHS-RESIST THE SPIRITS OF THE WORLD

Watchtower, 1999

DOES THE DEVIL Make us Sick?

Various Causes of Sickness

Most people do not believe in the spirits.  When they get sick, they go to a doctor-if they can afford it.  Of course, a sick person can go to a doctor and still not get healed.  Doctors cannot perform miracles.  But many superstitious individuals who could be healed go to a medical doctor only when it is too late.  They try spiritistic healing methods first,  and when these fail they go to a doctor as a last resort.  Many die unnecessarily.

Others face untimely death because of ignorance.  They do not recognize symptoms and do not know what practical steps to take to prevent sickness.  Knowledge  helps to prevent unnecessary suffering.  It is noteworthy that literate mothers lose fewer children to sickness than do illiterate ones.  Yes, ignorance can be fatal.

Negligence is anther cause of illness.  For example, many get sick because they allow insects to crawl over food before it is eaten or because the ones preparing the food do not wash their hands beforehand.  Sleeping without a mosquito net in malaria-infested regions is also dangerous. In matters of health, it is often true that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

An unwise life-style has caused millions to get sick and die prematurely.  Drunkenness, sexual immorality, misuse of drugs and use of tobacco have ruined the health of many.  If a person indulges in these vices and then falls sick,is it because someone put a spell on him or a spirit attacked him? No, he is to blame for his sickness.  Blaming the spirits would be a refusal to accept responsibility for an  unwise life-style.

Of course, some things we cannot control. For example, we could be exposed to sickness-causing microbes or to pollution.  This is what happened to owmadji.   Her mother did not know what was causing the diarrhea.  Her children are not sick as often as other children because she keeps her house and yard clean and always washes her hands before preparing food.  But all children get sick once in a while.  some 25 different organic infections can cause diarrhea.  Chances are, not one will ever know which one caused Owmadji's problem.

Next time: The Long-Term Solution

Watchtower, 1999

DOES THE DEVIL Make us Sick?

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

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  

DOES THE DEVIL Make us Sick?

Satan's Role

The Bible answers this question very clearly.  First, it shows that the spirits o our ancestors cannot affect the living.  When people die, "they are conscious of nothing at all."  they do not have spirits that survive death.  They are asleep in the grave, where "there is not work nor devising not knowledge nor wisdom."  (Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10)  In no way can the dead make the living sick!

However, the Bible reveals that wicked spirits do exist.  The first rebel in the whole universe was the spirit creature now known as  Satan.  Others joined him and came to be called demons.  Can Satan and the demons cause sickness?  It has happened.  (They are also known to have raped women)  Some of Jesus' healing miracles involved the expelling of demons.  (Luke 9:37-43; 13:10-16) however, most of the cures that Jesus performed were of sicknesses not directly caused by the demons.  (Matthew 12:15;  14:14; 19:2) Similarly today, as a rule, sickness results from natural, not supernatural causes.  (I do not agree that it is all natural, I believe some are supernatural, because these demons are capable of it and more) 

What about witchcraft?  Proverbs 18:10 assures us:  " The name of Jehovah is a strong tower.  Into it the righteous runs and is given protection."  James 4:7 says:  "Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you."  Yes, God can protect his faithful ones from witchcraft and any other uncanny  power.  That is one implication of Jesus' words: "The truth will set you free." -John 8:32.  I believe that witchcraft only works if you believe in it and also if you are not close to God and do not have his protection.  

'What about Job?'  Some may ask.  "Was it not a wicked spirit that made him ill?'  Yes, the Bible says that Job's illness was caused by Satan.  But Job's case was exceptional.   Job had long had divine protection from direct demonic attack.  Then Satan challenged Jehovah to strike Job, and because great issues were involved, Jehovah partially withdrew his protection from his worshiper in this one case.

However, God set limits.  When he permitted Satan to inflict Job, Satan would make Job sick for a time, but he could not kill him.  (Job 2:5, 6)  Eventually, Job's suffering ended, and Jehovah  rewarded him richly for his integrity.  (Job 42:10-17) The principles proved by Job's integrity have long since been recorded in the Bible and are evident to all.  There is no need for another such test case.

Next time: How Does Satan Work?

Watchtower, 1999

DOES THE DEVIL Make us Sick?

SICKNESS SHOULD NEVER HAVE EXISTED. God created us to live forever in perfect health.  It was a spirit creature, Satan, who caused sickness, pain and death  to inflict the human family when he led or first parents, Adam and Eve, into sin. -Genesis 3:1-5, 17-19; Romans 5:12.

DOES this mean that all sickness is a direct result of interference from the spirit world?  As noted in the preceding article, many today think so.  Little Owmadji's grandmother did. But was Owmadji's diarrhea-a sometimes fatal disease for young children int he tropics- really caused by unseen spirits?

Next time: Satan's Role

Watchtower, 1999