Editor’s Note: The following is a letter written by the demon, Foxtail, a colleague of Screwtape–a demon made famous by C.S. Lewis’s Screwtape Letters. Foxtail is currently working in collaboration with Wormwood (the nephew of Screwtape) to conquer another human soul and bring him to hell.
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Dear Wormwood,
It’s good to have you among our ranks again! I didn’t think that you would be back so soon, especially because of your spotty track record. But you’ll be happy to know that our devilish Father has asked that you be reinstated and assigned a new patient. Your uncle, Screwtape, was looking forward to having you in his company, but on account of your questionable past, our Master has assigned you to a new regiment: mine.
As you may recall, our job has never been easier than in this present age, an age in which humanity has iniquitously conjured up for itself the most delectable of monstrosities! It’s all about truth in the modern day; better yet, it’s all about the lack of truth! You’ll be pleased to see that the humans have successfully turned their idea of truth upside down, making your task at least a trifle easier–a man can be a woman, the unborn and elderly can be exterminated with ease, everyone parades around claiming they can have their own truth, and on and on! It’s absolutely, positively remarkable!
Despite the improving situation for us on the battlefront, our rotten Enemy, the Enemy, is still up to his old tricks. He continues to shower our patients with charity, trying to pluck them from our grasp.
You see, the Enemy has not stopped loving these puny creatures (for what reasons I cannot fathom), and it remains an absurd, ludicrous, and preposterous love. Even as I compose this letter, the thought of his love makes me nauseous. You must remember who you’re up against–he loves them without limit! And worst of all, remember that the Enemy sent his Son thinking that these humans would love him, but what did they do? They crucified him! Imagine that–he subjected himself to their pitiable level for what end? Death. And yet, he still loves them. It’s sick.
Fortunately, humans are so wrapped up in themselves that they barely notice him at all. But do not take this situation lightly (as you have in the past)! Since he loves them so much, the Enemy, clever as he is, imbued humanity with a longing for truth. The Enemy says that he is the truth, the only truth, so man is inherently drawn to the good. You must quell this appetite! Impress upon your patient that he is the creator of his own reality. Remind him that everyone has opinions and they can’t all be wrong. Your patient should realize that the only way he’ll find happiness is by living according to his own rules and his own truth. Encourage him toward this end and (before you know it) he’ll be preoccupied with his own feelings and belting out “I did it My Way” all the way to hell.
When the human focuses solely on himself, he often succumbs to his passions, his appetites, and his whims. Therefore, don’t let your patient start thinking about others or fasting (the thought of it!) or you may open a door for the Enemy to steal him from your little demon hands! The secret is this. When you knead his psyche, folding him in on himself like a piece of dough, he will grow to be so entrenched in his own ideas and self-worth that he’ll reach a point where he views himself as the sole arbiter of reality. He will lose all sense of empathy and he’ll develop the most splendid hubris that will alienate those closest to him. If you’ve done your job, no one will want to engage a narcissist like him! His ability to relate and communicate will be destroyed by his self-centeredness.
After many years of dubiously good coaching, your patient won’t even consider turning to the Enemy who “loves” him so much. He’ll have turned himself and his personal beliefs into the object of his worship, thereby replacing God. And in the end, when your patient dies bitterly and selfishly, you will have the honor and satisfaction of escorting him straight through the gates of hell to serve our glorious Father!
Thus, your task is simple: keep your patient focused on himself, eliminate his ability to interact with others, and encourage him to turn his back on God in favor of his own idolatrous reality. If you do these three things, I know you will find success. May you be prosperous in this endeavor!
I await news of your conquest to deliver to our Master. Any success of yours would be a treat after so many years of disappointment!
Your most devoted boss,
Foxtail
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Image: Matthias Grünewald, The Temptation of Saint Anthony
