Textbook: The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Watch This Sermon2 Chronicles 18:1-3, “Now Jehoshaphat had great riches and honor, and he made a marriage alliance with Ahab. 2 After some years he went down to Ahab in Samaria. And Ahab killed an abundance of sheep and oxen for him and for the people who were with him, and induced him to go up against Ramoth-gilead. 3 Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He answered him, “I am as you are, my people as your people. We will be with you in the war.”
Scripture describes King Jehosophat as one of Judah’s few godly kings. His heart was set on seeking God, he strived to rid Judah of idol worship, and he attempted to foster peace between his nation and the northern kingdom of Israel. However, this last goal saw him do more than just seek peace with the extremely wicked King Ahab. Rather, Jehosophat deeply involved himself with his unbelieving neighbor’s godless pursuits, failing to see the dangers of doing so. This strategy of Satan’s to blind us to the dangers of taking on worldly partnerships, beliefs, and causes will be our main application of the seventh letter in The Screwtape Letters.
The Screwtape Letters is a collection of fictional letters written by a made-up demon named Screwtape. Each letter sees him teach various tactics to his nephew Wormwood for use against a spiritually young Christian.
When studying this book, it is crucial to remember that it is satirical and fictional, with its author, C. S. Lewis, advising us, “not everything that Screwtape says should be assumed to be true even from his own angle.” The book was not written to explain how demons communicate with one another or how they are ranked in Satan’s army. Furthermore, it is not an authoritative source on doctrines such as eternal security. Rather, the purpose of this book is to provide deep insights on the various temptations and tactics demons use against us as believers. This is a worthwhile study, for 2 Corinthians 2:11 says, “So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” Furthermore, Ephesians 6:11 calls us to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Thus, our goal in studying The Screwtape Letters is to learn how to recognize and resist demonic attacks by tying its content to the Bible’s teachings.
“I wonder you should ask me whether it is essential to keep the patient in ignorance of your own existence. That question, at least for the present phase of the struggle, has been answered for us by the High Command. Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves. Of course this has not always been so. We are really faced with a cruel dilemma. When the humans disbelieve in our existence we lose all the pleasing results of direct terrorism and we make no magicians. On the other hand, when they believe in us, we cannot make them materialists and sceptics. At least, not yet. I have great hopes that we shall learn in due time how to emotionalise and mythologise their science to such an extent that what is, in effect, belief in us, (though not under that name) will creep in while the human mind remains closed to belief in the Enemy. The "Life Force", the worship of sex, and some aspects of Psychoanalysis, may here prove useful. If once we can produce our perfect work—the Materialist Magician, the man, not using, but veritably worshipping, what he vaguely calls "Forces" while denying the existence of "spirits"—then the end of the war will be in sight. But in the meantime we must obey our orders. I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that "devils" are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that (it is an old textbook method of confusing them) he therefore cannot believe in you.” (Lewis)
Here, Screwtape is referring to the fact that unbelievers either disbelieve in the supernatural altogether or selfishly pursue it via witchcraft, divination, or other demonic means. While much application on how demons affect unbelievers in this manner can be gleaned from here, the portion relevant to our personal application is where Screwtape instructs Wormwood to keep his patient from being aware of his existence. As believers, there are also two extreme responses we can have towards demons. On one hand, we can be ignorant of their works, such as the strongholds they have built in our minds. On the other hand, we can become needlessly fearful of them by, for example, believing all problems in our lives are demons attacking us. However, we have no need to fear demons and their works, for our God is greater than them, able to reveal their works to us, and will deliver us from them when we surrender to Him. 1 John 4:4 states, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Also, James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Related to our topic of demonic deception is their efforts to blind us to the dangers of forming deep partnerships and close relationships with unbelievers. It is important to note that we are called to witness to the lost and form prudent relationships with them so they would be drawn in by our witness for Christ to receive His love and salvation. However, these relationships must be formed with reasonable boundaries. It is unwise and harmful to our relationship with God to allow unbelievers to become close enough to us that they guide our life decisions, constantly share worldly counsel, or seek our involvement in their ungodly pursuits. This was a lesson Jehosophat learned the hard way when his conscious rightfully questioned the godless counsel of King Ahab.
2 Chronicles 18:4-8 [after Ahab asked Jehosophat to join him in a war], “4 And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first for the word of the Lord.” 5 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, “Shall we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I refrain?” And they said, “Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king.” 6 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not here another prophet of the Lord of whom we may inquire?” 7 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 8 Then the king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Bring quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah.””
This situation is best described by James 4:4, “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Also, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, “14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” As Jehosophat’s situation clearly demonstrates, we must be watchful against the devil’s attempts to blind us from the dangers of close relationships and partnerships with unbelievers. It is imperative to follow Christ’s examples, who lovingly reached out to sinners and built prudent relationships that allowed Him to share His perfect love and grace to them while maintaining proper boundaries and ensuring He was the one influencing them, not vice versa.
“I had not forgotten my promise to consider whether we should make the patient an extreme patriot or an extreme pacifist. All extremes, except extreme devotion to the Enemy, are to be encouraged. Not always, of course, but at this period. Some ages are lukewarm and complacent, and then it is our business to soothe them yet faster asleep. Other ages, of which the present is one, are unbalanced and prone to faction, and it is our business to inflame them. Any small coterie, bound together by some interest which other men dislike or ignore, tends to develop inside itself a hothouse mutual admiration, and towards the outer world, a great deal of pride and hatred which is entertained without shame because the "Cause" is its sponsor and it is thought to be impersonal. Even when the little group exists originally for the Enemy's own purposes, this remains true. We want the Church to be small not only that fewer men may know the Enemy but also that those who do may acquire the uneasy intensity and the defensive self-righteousness of a secret society or a clique. The Church herself is, of course, heavily defended and we have never yet quite succeeded in giving her all the characteristics of a faction; but subordinate factions within her have often produced admirable results, from the parties of Paul and of Apollos at Corinth down to the High and Low parties in the Church of England.” (Lewis)
During our study on Letter III, we noted how Satan uses division to weaken us in our relationships, both in the home and the church. This mention of divisive factions, interests, and causes in Screwtape’s dialogue represents another means by which Satan sows division among the brethren. As seen in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, such factions can come from idolizing certain believers, churches, or organizations. These behaviors spark needless jealousy and strife when there should instead be unity with true believers for the common goal of preaching the Gospel and leading others to Christ.
Also relevant to Screwtape’s dialogue is the demonic tactic of getting people wrapped up in and divided over various causes. Much of this we see today, especially in the realm of politics. On one hand, we see today many churches blindly following what can be called “the spirit of the age,” referring to the ungodly philosophies and values held by a culture. In attempting to evade the scorn and persecution of the world, many churches today have disobeyed God by abandoning the Bible’s teachings on sin, family, Creation, and more. On the other hand, even political movements that (at least claim to) align with our beliefs can become a snare to us when we idolize them and their people, obsess over their success, and use them as criteria for whom we are to be kind to and share Christ’s love with. Both cases are demonic tactics to both divide believers and take their eyes off Christ.
As Jehosophat came to learn, his enjoinment in King Ahab’s “cause” for war against Ramoth-gilead was putting him at odds with God’s will, tainting his witness for the Lord, and placed him at great risk of the Lord’s discipline. We will likewise suffer these consequences unless we use discernment in aligning ourselves with worldly causes, no matter how loving or supporting of our beliefs they appear to be. Romans 12:1-2 provides the best counter to Satan’s attempts to lead us into these alliances, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” By living in total surrender to God, He will protect us from the world’s conforming influences while teaching us His will and empowering us to follow it.
“If your patient can be induced to become a conscientious objector he will automatically find himself one of a small, vocal, organised, unpopular society, and the effects of this, on one so new to Christianity, will almost certainly be good. But only almost certainly. Has he had serious doubts about the lawfulness serving in a just war before this present war of serving began? Is he a man of great physical courage—so great that he will have no half- conscious misgivings about the real motives of his pacifism? Can he, when nearest to honesty (no human is ever very near), feel fully convinced that he actuated wholly by the desire to obey the Enemy? If he is that sort of man, his pacifism will probably not do us much good, and the Enemy will probably protect him from the usual consequences of belonging to a sect. Your best plan, in that case, would be to attempt a sudden, confused, emotional crisis from which he might emerge as an uneasy convert to patriotism. Such things can often be managed. But if he is the man I take him to be, try Pacifism.” (Lewis)
Screwtape’s dialogue here represents another way demons utilize worldly causes and events to take our eyes off Christ. It is interesting to note here that Screwtape cares not whether the patient is either extremely for or against the war. Rather, as Screwtape previously stated, “All extremes, except extreme devotion to the Enemy, are to be encouraged” (Lewis). The means by which the patient could be deceived into either extreme was through feelings, fears, and beliefs surrounding his self-life. For example, by making the patient obsess with the preservation of self, Wormwood could build a stronghold of fear in the patient and lead him to become extremely pacifistic. On the other hand, Wormwood could lead the patient into fleshly, obsessive patriotism based on pride, hatred for his enemies, and a self-righteous love for his country. Since neither of these attitudes glorified God and both served to distract the patient from Christ, they were both equally useful means for the demons to utilize worldly causes and events against the patient.
Demonic tactics like that likely influenced Jehosophat’s behavior in 2 Chronicles 18:14-17; 28-29, “14 And when he [Miciah] had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I refrain?” And he answered, “Go up and triumph; they will be given into your hand.” 15 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?” 16 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the Lord said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’” 17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?” [Skip to verse 28] So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your robes.” And the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.”
Despite the Lord clearly warning of the disaster that would come from this war, Jehosophat foolishly followed King Ahab head-first into it, even as far as participating in Ahab’s deceptive attempt to preserve his life. Though we are not told why exactly Jehosophat did this, perhaps he did so from a desire to preserve his friendship with Ahab, or he possibly believed he was too deeply involved in Ahab’s cause to abandon it. In our case, we must guard against various demonic pressures to join ourselves with unbelievers in causes and goals that do not align with His will. Yielding to these temptations will cause us to compromise Biblical values, fall into rebellion against God, and endanger our spiritual and even physical wellbeing. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 wisely warns, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.””
“Whichever he adopts, your main task will be the same. Let him begin by treating the Patriotism or the Pacifism as a part of his religion. Then let him, under the influence of partisan spirit, come to regard it as the most important part. Then quietly and gradually nurse him on to the stage at which the religion becomes merely part of the "cause", in which Christianity is valued chiefly because of the excellent arguments it can produce in favour of the British war-effort or of Pacifism. The attitude which you want to guard against is that in which temporal affairs are treated primarily as material for obedience. Once you have made the World an end, and faith a means, you have almost won your man, and it makes very little difference what kind of worldly end he is pursuing. Provided that meetings, pamphlets, policies, movements, causes, and crusades, matter more to him than prayers and sacraments and charity, he is ours—and the more "religious" (on those terms) the more securely ours. I could show you a pretty cageful down here.” (Lewis)
Screwtape’s dialogue reveals how Satan desires to lead us away from genuine Christianity to following a religion that is nothing more than a means by which we justify worldly causes and pursuits. Unfortunately, many people today, including many unbelievers and some carnal believers, apply the label “Christian” to themselves and their actions, but have replaced prayer and genuine worship to Christ with worldly causes and politics. A very common fruit of this deception is the misapplication of Scripture to justify worldly beliefs and movements.
An example is how people have inappropriately twisted “Love your neighbor as yourself” to justify a plethora of ungodly behaviors, including leaving the topic of personal sin out of sermons to avoid offending people, glorifying society’s sinful behaviors to be “loving”, and rejecting the Great Commission to falsely claim other religions are valid means to reach God. All such compromises are the result of reducing Christianity to a superficial label, which people then use to craft a self-serving religion that rationalizes pursuing worldly success and popularity. As Screwtape’s dialogue notes, any side on a worldly matter, whether politics, wars, or the like are fodder for demons to deceive us into being more concerned for these than our faith in and relationship with Christ.
This was seen in Jehosophat’s desire to establish long-lasting peace with Israel. This political goal led him to perform multiple ungodly behaviors, from marrying into Ahab’s family to forming a needlessly close relationship with Ahab. Jehosophat’s desire to preserve this relationship led him to ignore God’s warning and participate in Ahab’s doomed war. 2 Chronicles 18:30-34 reveal that Jehosophat endangered his life in doing when the Syrians attempted to kill him because they initially confused him for Ahab. Despite his transgressions against God, Jehosophat was mercifully spared by the Lord after he cried out for His deliverance. Nevertheless, Ahab was killed as God promised and 2 Chronicles 19:2-3 reveal that Jehosophat was greeted with a rebuke upon his return home, “But Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord? Because of this, wrath has gone out against you from the Lord. 3 Nevertheless, some good is found in you, for you destroyed the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God.””
Multiple lessons can be drawn from both Jehosophat’s account and Screwtape’s dialogue. First, our faith in Christ is pure, genuine, and untainted by worldly and self-centered pursuits, as Titus 2:12 states, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Next, we must remember that the world’s pursuits and desires are always in opposition to God, for 1 John 2:15-17 state, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” Finally, when we are tempted to follow worldly pursuits, we must rebuke them, remembering Matthew 13:22’s warnings on how lethal they are to spiritual growth and fruit, “As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” By applying these truths through the Holy Spirit’s power, we will be able to recognize and counter Satan’s attempts to deceive us with worldly pursuits and harmful endeavors with unbelievers.
As believers, we are called to love the unsaved, reach out to them in Christ’s love, and share the Gospel with them. However, such endeavors should be performed with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, for Satan will attempt to thwart us by tempting us to become too personal with unbelievers, partake in ungodly pursuits with them, and join them in supporting worldly causes. As King Jehosophat learned the hard way, such behaviors can result in severe spiritual and even physical consequences. As Scripture wisely notes, boundaries that protect us from the world’s influence are necessary to being effective servants of Christ. Relationships with unbelievers must never progress to friendship with the world, pursuing obedience to Christ must never be traded for allegiance with the ungodly, and spiritual growth must never be forfeited for the world’s riches and praise.
Reference:
Lewis, C. S. The Screwtape Letters. Self-published, 2025.
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