As Christians struggling spiritually within the real world, we are always given guidance and advice from our side of the table: through sermons, church leaders, fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, we can see the threats of evil from a more godly point of view.
However, there is a twist in this perspective. In the Screwtape Letters, C.S Lewis changes our perspective from God's side to the Devil's. In the book, two demons, Screwtape and Wormwood, discuss the ways of Christians, new or old, and how to lead them astray. Screwtape, older and more experienced demon, definitely knows the true fallibility of us Christians and the ways to lead us away from salvation.
While reading this exerpt from the book, I was ashamed and somewhat disturbed, because the ways of slowly turning away from God matched my description.
"As long as he retains externally the habits of a Christian he can still be made to think of himself as one who has adopted a few friends and amusements but whose spiritual state is much the same as it was six weeks ago. And while he thinks that, we do not have to contend with the explicit repentance of a definite, fully recognized, sin, but only with his vague, though uneasy, feeling that he hasn't been doing very well lately."
Going to church for about 19 years now, I can see that the church has totally become a routine-like part of my life. As someone stated in class today, my level of faith has become stagnant at a certain point. It does not grow any more - it is stunted. And here I stand, questioning the workings of God in my life as I continue on with other activities that hinders my faith. I feel insecure and uneasy about these activities, yet I continue on.
As Screwtape states: "This dim uneasiness needs careful handling". We can see form this statement that we are indeed falling into our own demise. It may come in many forms for many people: laziness, relationships, activities, etc. It may also come in simple choices you make, which can later magnify into a bigger complication.
So what can be done? I myself an struggling with this question every day. Despite knowing the slow and steady workings of evils around us, we are consciously being led away from the Light. Addiction, obsession, gratification, and others things are a part of being fallen human beings. It is hard to openly declare our innermost, darkness sins to those who are also struggling around us. We must try to divert our attention to the things God has given to us which remind us of Him. Family, friends, music, literature, and nature are just some of God's joys given to us from heaven. The small choices we make that lead us away little by little will accumulate into something that can destroy the God-given things we truly treasure.
One day we will be praised like the servants in Jesus' parable, by which the master says:
"Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21)
About Me
- David Ryou
- "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." -C.S Lewis
David, your writing is well thought out and full good insight. I was really amazed by how good of a writer you are. Thank you also for your honesty. How refreshing it is to read someone's blog when they are willing to set aside their pride so that others can know that it truly is only through Christ. I liked how don't leave your reader hanging but answer the question of what we as Christians can do. I think another thing that is crucial in what we can do is primarily focus on the love and grace of God. It is at that cross that we can lay everything down and acknowledge that we can't do it without a Savior. I enjoyed reading what you had to say!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honesty David. It can be so overwhelming to find out that we've hit a point where we stopped paying attention in church and to God in general. At the same time we can't beat ourself up about it because that makes us feel guilty and then we don't turn to God because we feel stained and unworthy of his presence. Instead we have recognize that yes we sinned but God still wants us and he will accept us as we are. If we could only go to God when we were perfect then we could never go into God's presence.
ReplyDeleteI like all the options you give for things that will direct us back to God. So many people forget that Nature is a huge pointer to God. While it can't substitute for the fellowship or teaching we get from church, Nature can be a sanctuary in itself. Sometimes it is wise to go outside and sit in the quiet and let God speak.
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