Starved Souls Are Easy Prey

An Exercise in Screwtaping

“And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied.”  Isaiah 9:20

“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.”  Isaiah 55:2

Obscure her blessings. Enlarge her fears. Let her feel alone and without purpose.

A hungry soul can be made to consume a thousand empty promises.

Put forth titillating images, indulgent foods, and attractive lies, and she will snatch them up. You can thrust worldliness at her, and she will pursue it out of sheer desperation. She expects fulfillment from your suggestions, but our Father’s plan has ever promoted hunger, not satisfaction. She will be caught in a trap of endless discontent.

No doubt you will find her delusion quite humorous, Wormwood. Thanks be to Satan that she doesn’t listen to old prophets. You recall that pesky Isaiah called our bluff in the 8th century BC, but no one listens to him these days.

What in the name of satire—?

Confused by the devilish tone? Intrigued by the irony? This post is part of a Screwtaping series. Check out the full story (and more Tempts) here.

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Jenny Harris
Jenny is a star-gazing, book-clubbing mother of two. She has a Master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies, which is mildly comical (but also a boon in parenting and relationships). Her kids will attest that she’s crazy about reading aloud, time out of doors, and creative play. Her family’s goal is the “abundant life,” as prescribed by Jesus. You can read more posts by Jenny here.

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