Screwtape: Chapter 7

TL;DR

In Chapter 7, Screwtape talks about how demons should handle the subject of their own existence—sometimes encouraging disbelief in devils and, other times, encouraging fear and obsession with them. He explains that both extremes can keep people away from God—either by making spiritual warfare seem silly or by distracting them with an unhealthy fascination.

Screwtape also encourages Wormwood to twist the Patient's faith into a political or ideological "religious" concept. This way, he'll think of "being a Christian" as a means to an earthly end—rather than a spiritual practice of obedience to God.

He assures his nephew that once a Christian sees themselves as part of a specialized group or "cause" rather than a part of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5), their faith is easier to corrupt. This chapter highlights how the enemy can use both disbelief and distraction to undermine spiritual focus and unity.

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." —Colossians 2:8