Uncle Screwtape gives Wormwood some advice on how to trip his patient’s spiritual downs by trapping him with sensual pleasures including sexual pleasures then by attacking his faith. Screwtape discusses the subject of pleasure in its original, pure form as designed by God, and explains how Satan perverts pleasure and transforms it into sin.
“Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasure in its healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are in a sense, on the Enemy’s ground. I know we have won many a soul through pleasure.”- Screwtape
Screwtape contends that sexual temptations is one of the most effective methods to temp people going through valleys (troughs / low) periods. Sexual temptation starts with the mind. We let filth into our mind through our eyes. The more garbage we ingest into our minds through our minds the more numb we become to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Our hearts become hardened and our conscience becomes seared. The more we think about our lusts and desires, the more we actually want to act take it to the next level.
Pornography is readily accessible off the internet and on mobile devices. The Bible talks over and over about being single minded. Many Christians today live dual lives referred to as double minded (James 1:8). In the book, Make it home before dark, Crawford Loritts introduces the term compartmentalization. Webster defines compartmentalize as “to separate into compartments or categorize in a manner tending to preclude interrelationships.” So when we compartmentalize, we put sin in an area of our lives that is hidden, so we think, from others. To compartmentalize sin simply means to hide it. Hence, we merely manage our sin while attending Church and going on with our self deception that I must be okay.
The truth is this double mindedness and secret sins will not be hidden forever. It is like a cancer that begins to attack the other areas of your life. King David fell victim to this trap with Bathsheba. it was the lusting of the eyes and heart that led to David acting upon that lust resulting in David murdering Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband) by sending him to the front lines of a battle. David prays to God in Ps 51:1, 6, 17. Be gracious to me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of your compassion blot out my transgressions… Behold, you desire truth in the innermost being and in the hidden part you will make me know wisdom… The sacrifice of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not be despised.
David repented, he recognized that God’s plan for him was a restoration to wholeness (single-mindedness), beginning with the truth about himself. I struggle with the my thoughts and desires on a daily basis. I know when I am diligent in reading and praying, I can better withstand the attacks and traps of the devil. However, when I am not regularly reading my Bible and praying, i become a prime target for a trap.
Brothers, Sister, we know first hand (each of us) what sexual sins can cause. We know first hand the cause and affects of sin. We saw how it destroyed a Christian home when temptation and sin trapped our father. Each of us need an accountability partner who is a more mature Christian than we are. We need to prepare for battle everyday and keep guard that Screwtape’s and Wormwood’s master – Satan – is looking for any opportunity to trip us up.
