The Screwtape Letters, Letter XII

In my mind, I think that this collection of letters is the most interesting composition by C.S. Lewis because it is not from any humans' point of view. It is from the perspective of an experienced devil, Screwtape, who is giving tips to his nephew Wormwood and it shows the impressive creativity that Lewis possesses. Each letter focuses on a different area of our lives and the world we live in. In this one Lewis touches on some very true things that happen in our internal struggles with the devil and in the process presents some advice on how to prevent giving in to sin. This is unlike any other piece of literature I have ever read, and every one of us can relate to the thought processes that Screwtape talks about.
The first striking thing is that uncle Screwtape is glad to hear that Wormwood's "patient" (the Christian he is working on corrupting) is still regularly going to church and taking part in church activities. We cannot be half-hearted Christians. When we are, it is far to easy to convince ourselves that we Christians. This is why I believe that the Bible tells us that God wants ALL of us, and nothing less. I think a lot of people struggle with that, and many do not even know how to do that or what it means. I don't think I have figured that out yet, but hopefully I will move closer and closer to that.
As Screwtape explains, upon arriving in hell one of his own "patients" said, "I now see that I spent most of my life in doing neither what I ought nor what I liked." We cannot allow the devil to distract us with meaningless activities and distract us from God. If we do not recognize that that is happening immediately, we may have missed our only opportunity. This is no doubt a very serious and dangerous situation.
The letter concludes with Screwtape saying "It odes not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." We need to remember that every sin is equal in God's eyes, even though we would like to think that murder is worse than a little white lie. That thought can make you feel terrible, and that is because sin is no laughing matter. The thought that the safest road to Hell is the gradual one is absolutely terrifying to me because it is so incredibly easy to get started on that path. It must be understood how careful we need to be, which is why we have to do everything in our power to protect ourselves. Do not turn a blind eye to that road and process!