For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
When the pharisees accused jesus of getting his power from satan when he healed people, Jesus said a kingdom cannot be divided. Satan does not heal people, that would be against his thinking.
The question is asked, 'What would you say to a Muslim who prays for a miraculous healing and receives it?' I have a better question, I think: What do we say to a Christian who thinks Satan does miraculous healing for the purpose of "keeping people away from the gospel?" If he could do that, he'd be equal with God in power, and could actually take over the kingdom! How could he be stopped?
Satan is the father of lies, so yes every idol or false god is rooted in his circle of influence. But he didn't establish the Islamic faith.
You don't have to venture too far from Christianity to examine religious beliefs that are rooted in falsehoods. The Watchtower society is such an organization. The Jehovah's witnesses weren't established by Satan.
Muslims and JW's aren't that different from a basic belief standpoint. Neither honor Jesus as being equal with God the Father. All their other quirks don't really matter; their foundation is built on shifting sand!
You don't have to go to "third world countries" to find "witch doctors." They are right here in America and everywhere else! They want power from wherever it can be had.
There is no power except that which comes from God!
Jesus is the source of all life! No one lives except by his word!
God has a reason for healing someone who looks for healing from a "witch doctor." The reason isn't so they will worship witch doctors! But there is no healing except from the God who has all power.
His name is Jesus!
I've never studied the Islamic faith; I've never opened their sacred book, the Koran. I've never been curious about any religious faith other than Christianity. None of them makes any real sense to me!
To succeed at those belief systems you must be able to keep the rules. (this includes Judaism) You have to do something repeatedly, consistently, and you must do it right. I wouldn't know where to start with a system like that, realizing that I'm much too hardheaded and sometimey, so I wouldn't even bother to try!
Jesus says, 'come to me (as you are) all who are burden down by the hardness of life, and I will give you rest.'(Matt 11:28)
All the other faiths offer instructions on how to get your life straightened out.
Here's the thing: there are "christians" all over the world who think christianity is the same as the others; an offer of eternal life to be considered and about which to make a decision. If you say yes to the offer, you then must live up to the requirements; "holy living" is a must, or you need not apply.
If I could live in a way that pleases God, then Jesus wouldn't need to die in my place. (that will never be understood by anyone who thinks Satan can prevent souls from being saved by healing people).
Jesus didn't die on the cross so we would believe in him. His death doesn't cause anyone to believe. His resurrection does!
Getting healed of sickness doesn't cause anyone to believe in Jesus. The resurrection does!
Satan can't duplicate that!
Good stuff Danny! Unfortunately, groups that require you to do things 'repeatedly and correctly' aren't limited to the extreme ones that you called out.
2 Cor 11:3-4
"3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
Paul continues....
2 Cor 11:13-14
"13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
I fear most sheep today are following the wrong shepherd.