Screwtape Letters

A couple of years ago I started to read the Screwtape Letters, but couldn't finish it. The letters made me so uncomfortable that I started having nightmares. From our reading assigned, I cannot help but think that I allowed my own devil to seep into my thoughts. Although, the time I spent gradually falling away from the reading did not turn around, there is something to be acknowledged. Paulo said today, "Scripture, faith, and the Holy Spirit." If I would have used Scripture, and called the Holy Spirit to strengthen my mind, then he would have. If I would have and the faith to know the Holy SPirit is capable and willing to fulfill my request, I would have finished the book. In class, we were taught to practice using moral/stock responses for the first line of defense against the d evil's tempting schemes.

Again, the devil is a liar! He will send nightmares, unhealthy thoughts, bad mood, and other subtle tactics to drag us down. Scripture is our source for stock responses. There is nothing that pleases the Lord more than one of his children acknowledging their reliances on him. Also, he is proud because the devil is inferior to his Word. Remember though, the devil knows his Scripture better than you, so don't allow him to twist the Scripture against you.

This class is opening my eyes to the infinite weakness I embody as a fallen person. However, I'm torn because, as a child of God, I'm supposed to end up on the "winning team."So, even though I access Scripture, faith, and the Holy SPirit, I continually fail. The beautiful thing about the Screwtape letters, and my failures, is that its NOT about Me! The "me, me me" thoughts are just another device of the devil. Thank the Lord he rescues me from myself and the little devil on my shoulder!