These devotions are based on CS Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters. The book is a series of letters written from a senior devil to his junior devil. They provide instruction for the junior devil on how to tempt the human he has been assigned.
“How have you failed to see that real pleasure was the last thing you ought to have let him meet?” (Lewis)
A few months ago, one of my best friends got engaged. He planned an engagement party at his house for his new fiancé. He hid all of our cars, so she had no clue we were all there; he did a great job surprising her. His mom cooked a great spread of food for the party, but one dish was superior to all others, the mac and cheese. After eating a few plates of it, I was sure to compliment the chef. In response, she offered to make it any time I come to visit. Because of that, I am currently planning a visit to their house. I know my friend’s mom makes that incredible mac and cheese, so I intend to return for a visit. When we understand that God is the author of all real pleasures, our desire for Him increases.
For a long time, I was convinced that pleasures come from this world. Even for a period of time after being saved, I thought I had to deny myself of all pleasure in order to follow Christ. However, the Bible and CS Lewis teach us something different. This quotation explains that a taste of real pleasure leads us to God. Lewis uses the word real pleasure because God is the only one who can create anything pleasurable. In chapter 9, the senior devil writes to the junior devil: “He [God] made all the pleasures: all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures which our Enemy has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees, which He has forbidden” (Lewis). We must remember that God is the source of all good things, and the chief joy of humanity is being satisfied in Him.
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” -Psalm 34:8 ESV
A few months ago, one of my best friends got engaged. He planned an engagement party at his house for his new fiancé. He hid all of our cars, so she had no clue we were all there; he did a great job surprising her. His mom cooked a great spread of food for the party, but one dish was superior to all others, the mac and cheese. After eating a few plates of it, I was sure to compliment the chef. In response, she offered to make it any time I come to visit. Because of that, I am currently planning a visit to their house. I know my friend’s mom makes that incredible mac and cheese, so I intend to return for a visit. When we understand that God is the author of all real pleasures, our desire for Him increases.
For a long time, I was convinced that pleasures come from this world. Even for a period of time after being saved, I thought I had to deny myself of all pleasure in order to follow Christ. However, the Bible and CS Lewis teach us something different. This quotation explains that a taste of real pleasure leads us to God. Lewis uses the word real pleasure because God is the only one who can create anything pleasurable. In chapter 9, the senior devil writes to the junior devil: “He [God] made all the pleasures: all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures which our Enemy has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees, which He has forbidden” (Lewis). We must remember that God is the source of all good things, and the chief joy of humanity is being satisfied in Him.
“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” -Psalm 34:8 ESV
