Demonology 101: Screwtape – Letter 7

Guarding Against Extremes: Lessons from Screwtape’s Seventh Letter

In the journey of Christian life, believers often find themselves pulled in various directions such as political, ideological, or even theological. Yet, as C.S. Lewis reminds us in The Screwtape Letters, these pulls can become tools in the hands of the enemy. The seventh letter in this allegorical work provides an insightful exploration of how spiritual forces manipulate believers, urging them toward the dangerous extremes that compromise true faith and unity in Christ.

Concealing the Enemy’s Influence

Screwtape, a senior demon, begins his letter by addressing a question from his apprentice, Wormwood, about whether devils should reveal their existence to humans. Screwtape notes that, for the present phase, it is strategic to remain hidden. The demonic objective is to maintain subtlety so that humans dismiss any sense of spiritual warfare or manipulation. When a faint suspicion of their existence arises, Screwtape suggests implanting a stereotypical, cartoonish image of a devil in red tights to ensure disbelief. This method proves effective in pushing modern minds away from the acknowledgment of the spiritual realm and the reality of evil.

Pushing Toward Extremes

The crux of this letter, however, lies in the tactic of encouraging extremes. Screwtape revisits an earlier subject: should the patient (a Christian) be influenced toward extreme patriotism or extreme pacifism? The answer, as always, depends on what serves the devils’ purposes. The goal is to push the believer into any extreme where their devotion to a cause eclipses their devotion to God. Whether that means aligning passionately with a political ideology or clinging to a rigid religious identity, all extremes except total devotion to God are fair game.

This lesson applies to believers today. Have you found that your views have driven a wedge between you and others, even close friends or family members? Do you feel more confident in your righteousness and less willing to discuss your beliefs because disagreement leads to frustration? If so, Screwtape’s warning may resonate more than we’d like to admit.

Recognizing the Signs of Extremes

It is easy to convince oneself that holding strong views is a mark of deep conviction. Yet, Lewis’ Screwtape warns that this is precisely where devils find their power. The more entrenched one becomes in identifying as a “Conservative Christian,” “Progressive Christian,” “Bible-centered,” or even “Evangelical,” the more the believer risks allowing the label to dictate their faith rather than Christ himself. Screwtape reveals, “All extremes, except extreme devotion to the Enemy, are to be encouraged.”

Christians, then, must remain vigilant against signs of creeping extremism. Have disagreements led to broken relationships? Has certainty in one’s stance overshadowed humility? Are prayers, acts of charity, and the sacraments given less time and energy than arguments and debates? If so, believers may be inching into a spiritual trap.

The Illusion of Righteous Factionalism

A striking element of Screwtape’s strategy is fostering division within the Church. Screwtape notes that even when groups are founded for good, they can become breeding grounds for pride and exclusion. The early church saw this division when factions arose between followers of Paul and Apollos. Today, such factionalism persists with believers identifying more with political or denominational labels than with Christ alone. Screwtape writes, “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 clique.”

This warning challenges Christians to examine their focus. Are we clinging to our affiliations, believing they encapsulate our identity in Christ? The devils aim to use these alignments as a means of cultivating pride and misplaced loyalty, leading to division instead of unity.

When Faith Becomes a Means to an End

Perhaps the most dangerous shift Screwtape outlines is when faith serves as a means to support worldly ends. Whether for patriotism, social justice, or theological debate, when Christianity becomes subordinate to any cause, it ceases to reflect the heart of Jesus. Screwtape advises, “Let him begin by treating the patriotism or the pacifism as part of his religion. Then, let him… come to regard it as the most important part. Then… nurse him on to the stage at which the religion becomes merely a part of the ‘cause.’”

True Christianity centers on Christ, not causes. The temptation to let political or ideological pursuits take precedence over faith in Jesus is powerful, but it leads believers away from what matters most. As Screwtape chillingly concludes, “Once you have made the world an end, and faith a means, you have almost won your man.”

The Antidote: Obedience and Unity in Christ

So how can believers guard against these subtle, yet powerful, influences? The answer lies in a conscious return to the basics: focusing on Jesus above all else, maintaining humility, and engaging in practices that foster spiritual growth, like prayer and studying Scripture. These disciplines keep the believer anchored in what is eternal rather than becoming swept away by temporal affairs.

Screwtape’s final warning serves as a sobering reminder. It is not enough to be “religious” if that religiosity serves anything other than God’s will. The devils’ goal is not just to make people sinful but to make them miss the mark by degrees, convincing them that their cause is holy when, in fact, it pulls them from God’s heart.

A Call to Refocus

The message from Screwtape’s seventh letter is clear: be wary of extremes, guard against division, and let nothing take precedence over your commitment to Christ. In a world brimming with passionate causes and ideological divides, the believer’s challenge is to anchor their identity in Jesus, ensuring that faith remains at the center, not merely a supporting argument for other pursuits.