I call this blog the companion guide to my search for wisdom. So, I should probably discuss what I'm reading every now and then. Currently, I have been reading the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.
The book consists of a series of letters from an elder demon named Screwtape to his younger nephew Wormwood, who has been charged with leading a certain human to Hell. It's an interesting look at human nature and our response to temptation and evil.
It's also an interesting concept that if we have a guardian angel 😇, chances are we have a demon 👿 assigned to us as well. Both of them battling it out over our souls. I guess it just depends on which one we want to listen to. If you believe in that sort of thing that is.
I am approximately a quarter of the way through the book. I have so far read the first eight letters. It's a deep book, covering serious topics. So I don't try to bite off too much all at once. I've read each of the first eight letters two or even three times. I have taken notes. I am able to relate to things that are said.
Let me give you a couple of examples.
In the first letter, Screwtape discusses how to keep what he calls the patient focused on the mediocre. How he can distract him from any deep thought just by whispering in his ear, suggesting things like, "it's time for lunch."
Just look at how distracted we are in this day and age. When was the last time you had a deep thought and the phone rings, or you stuck your face in a screen, or you saw that shiny object and picked it up and started fidgeting with it?
The book was written during World War II, which delights Wormwood, but Screwtape warns him that during times of suffering, humans are more likely to turn to God, who is referred to in the book as the enemy.
He suggests encouraging the patient to focus on that which annoys him about his loved ones, specifically his mother. At the same time he suggests encouraging the patient to worry about the state of his mother's soul rather than her current suffering and health. That keeps his attention off of his own soul.
Now, although this book is a satire, I think it has some pretty deep meaning, discussing philosophical and spiritual truths about life. Therefore it should be taken with at least a little bit of seriousness. CS Lewis is considered to be a brilliant theologian, whose work has had at least some influence on Christian thought. That's a pretty good resume.
And it all fits right into my life. It's like explaining how I divert from the straight and narrow path every now and then.
I do believe the evil does exist. I also believe that good exists. And I believe that we are going to choose one path or the other. We're human. We are a race of fallen people. Even when we fall, God will be there holding his hand out to us to help us back up. We have to choose to take his hand. And when we do, we are better equipped to fight the spiritual battles.
The demon will tempt you with shiny objects. It will offer you instant gratification. It will keep you focused on the mediocre, the negative, and anything that will divert your attention from God. It will whisper things in your ear and encourage you to go with it. It will offer you gifts that come with a price. It will remind you of things that aggravate you. It will encourage you to entertain your fears. It will help you to stress about the future with much anxiety.
Just look at the world today and the people in it. Those who turn to God experience more peace while fighting the spiritual battle because he doesn't have to fight it alone. Just ask anybody who prays. While at the same time, the battles come and the battles go. And they are going to come.
Those who don't turn to God, often experience chaos and confusion, as there will always be that missing piece of the puzzle, often without even knowing it.
Or maybe I can just only speak for myself.
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