The Actions of Angels on Men

Since angels are superior to man, they can enlightenman. They can strengthen the understanding of human beings and make men aware, in some sensible manner, of the truths to be imparted. Thus angels can act upon the human intellect.

But angels cannot act directly upon the human will; God alone can do this.

Nevertheless, angels, good or bad, can exercise an indirect influence on human wills by stirring up images inthe human imagination. And angels, good or bad, can, by their natural power, arouse sentient appetites and passions in the same way, that is, by producing images in the human imagination.

Equally, an angel can work upon the human senses,either outwardly, as, for example, by assuming some visible form,or inwardly, by disturbing the sense-functions themselves, as, forexample, making a man see what is not really there.