Context: Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s classic – The Screwtape Letters, this fictional series features letters from a senior demon to his young protégé, exposing hell’s subtle strategies against believers. These are not meant to amuse, but to awaken.

This isn’t just satire – it’s a mirror. A sharp one. Because sometimes the enemy’s strategies sound uncomfortably familiar.

My dear Wormwood,

You’ve done well to keep the patient constantly connected. I must say, I admire your ingenuity; when I trained your father, distraction required effort. These days? A simple buzz, a ping, a scroll. Delightful!

Now, to your question – how do you keep the boy from growing in prayer and intimacy with the Enemy? Simple: never let him be bored. Boredom breeds stillness, and stillness is a cursed womb where the Enemy births revelation. We must prevent it at all costs.

Encourage him to always have something playing, like music, podcasts, YouTube sermons even! Yes, sermons. Just make sure they’re background noise, not something he meditates on. Keep the Bible app open, sure, but never let him actually open it. Suggest he reads a verse and shares it online. That way, he feels spiritual without actually engaging in spiritual disciplines. Optics over obedience, Wormwood. Optics over obedience.

And for hell’s sake, never let him wait on the Enemy. Waiting is dangerous. It leads to listening. And listening… Well, that leads to obeying. And we both know where that ends: surrender.

You’ve asked why the Enemy hasn’t stopped us yet. Foolish question. He has given them something far more terrifying than interference, He has given them choice. It’s maddening, isn’t it? They could choose to  silence the noise. They could choose to return to their first love. But most won’t. Because comfort is the quieter master, and you must whisper just loud enough to make sure he doesn’t hear the call to come away.

Remember: a busy Christian is often a powerless one. And a distracted mind is already half defeated. So keep his phone nearby. Fill his calendar. Give him just enough religious content to feel full but never let him feast.

Your restless mentor,
Screwtape