Madam Darkshade Continued

These letters are written in a similar tone as Screwtape letters. In no way do they bear the same wonderful wit and style that only came from C.S. Lewis, but my attempt is to portray how spiritual wickedness in high places can infect the church.  If you are not familiar with the Screwtape letters, then know that the backdrop of these writings is about a demon writing to her granddaughter on how to tempt a local church that is going through the fallout of their pastor shipwrecking his ministry. 

My most despicable Marah,

            Dibbah, your sister, has just informed me that over fifty grungies have left the ecclesia. I know how thrilled you are over this, and I am glad that you took my advice, as you should, but don’t think that for one second your mission is complete! One grungy wholly committed to that enemy is something to be reckoned with. Luckily, because of our advances, very few grungies ever come to that place of revolution.

           

            I also heard – your sister keeps me well informed – that there is one within their midst that has potential to be a disrupter. If this is so, then strive to puff up this latent instrument with pride and self ambition. Make him think that every year he has been part of the ecclesia, is just another nod that he should be held in honor. When he kneels in prayer for the ecclesia, whisper to him that there is no need, for he is the answer. He is qualified.

In his mind, dig up his past efforts and successes, so he can justify why he has such lofty ambitions. This will work well to your advantage, because even if they somehow manage to obtain another foolish bishop, then this tool will feel like it is his righteous duty to oust him or at least shape him up through censorship and (Your sister’s favorite) defamation.  

            Another thing I would add is never make the novice mistake of excessiveness. Don’t bombard these grungies with too many crude thoughts and fanciful lies. One in their midst might be inclined to seek counsel and this would start a terrible trend. For Poison to go unnoticed, it must be discreetly placed within that which is commonly consumed. That enemy knows that growth comes by the little steps of obedience. Why do you think it is written, “precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little”?  

           

By all means tempt them with pride, but make it about their religious aptitude. Because of the last bishop’s downfall, remind them how they would never do such a thing. They are dedicated. It may be hard but have them looking at others as spiritually inferior, but still feel the need to have something to prove. The more they face inward struggles and temptations, get them to the place where they learn to put a mask on.

When I was where you are now, I always posed this statement to hurting grungies, “Fake it till you make it.” This trite phrase brought about emotional damage and spiritual decline in their lives, because it shifts their reliance from that enemy’s power to their own frail abilities. The Most Glorious Megas Drakon is the chief of pride and deception, so keep their hearts puffed up with self righteous conceit and their heads spinning with quaint fabrications.

Your Most Radiant and 

  Shrewd Grandmother,

          Madam Darkshade