In this third letter, Screwtape suggests to Wormwood to focus on the patient’s relationship with his mother. To do this, Wormwood would have to work with Glubose, the demon assigned to the mother.
Once we been born again, we are a new creation and have a new identity in Jesus. We also receive a new heart and new desires and motives that change our lives over time. On the flip side, religious rules and standards will never fix sin. Sin alienates us from God and we have to resolve this problem inside out.
Screwtape suggest that Wormwood help the patient keep his prayers very fluffy and spiritual concerned about his Mother’s soul and ignore his mothers health needs. By doing this, he tears down his mother and builds up his on self pridefulness.
First, it will cause the patient to keep his attention focused on his mother’s sins. Second, it will encourage the patient to pray for what he wants from his mother rather than prayers that meet her needs.
This mindset is very legalistic and not Christ-like. The Bible commands us to love… love our enemies and absolutely love our mom and dad. The Pharasee’s would look down their nose on the people and would pray for them in a prideful arrogant manner. We should pray with humility and love. Agape love / unconditional love.
When two humans have lived together for many years, it usually happens that each has tones of voice and expressions of face which are almost irritating. I know what makes my wife annoyed. Wormwood should concentrate his patient’s attentions on the minor things. As a result, it will further distance him from his mother.
in contrast, love brings us closer.
1 Corinthians 13King James Version (KJV)
13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
