If I were the devil
C.S. Lewis, more recently appreciated for his children’s classic “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, which was made into a movie “The Chronicles of Narnia”, has written another classic “The Screwtape Letters”.
In this clever and witty piece of work, Lewis tells about the correspondence between a senior member of Satan’s staff and a junior agent in the field. The experienced tempter passes on lots of hints and helpful advice on the finer points of capturing souls for Satan, and guides the novice devil towards better results with the fallible humans on earth.I was listening to a tape rendition of the Screwtape Letter last week, and realized that the devil is still up to his same old tricks to tempt God’s people, and to render them powerless in these last days - days that should herald the greatest triumph for the Church of Jesus Christ! The Holy Spirit has come, God’s people have been empowered, and they should be vigilant against every wile of the enemy.
People of God, wise up and rise up! Don’t be fooled!
From C.S. Lewis’ book, this is today’s version – “If I were the devil” :-
- I’ll distract Christians from contemplative prayers which, when practiced, will deepen their intimacy with God.
- I’ll belittle convictions that are Spirit-inspired.
- I’ll promote judgmentalism and self-righteousness among Christians who believe they are good people.
- I’ll wrap church leaders around their feelings of inadequacy, and discourage them from praying Spirit-led prayers.
- I’ll cause them to be anxious and fearful about their future.
- I’ll teach them to live hypocritical lives – hating their next door neighbour, yet going on missions to far-off lands.
- I’ll tutor church goers into being extreme passivists, sitting in church and pointing the finger instead of lifting their hands in worshipful service.
- I’ll confuse them about the ups and downs of the seasons of life, and tell them that God doesn’t care.
- I’ll increase their sense of flippancy towards the holiness of God.
- I’ll encourage gluttony, to deafen their sensitivity to the promptings of God.
- I’ll lead them into double-mindedness, so they’ll lose focus for God’s purpose.
- I’ll be subtle in all my temptings because “the safest road to hell is a gradual one, without siren, without signposts”.
