Changed my Christian life!

Incredible look into the reality of spiritual warfare.

My journey as a Christian has been completely transformed. What I have discovered about the reality of spiritual warfare is truly astonishing.

It's not just some abstract concept but a very real and intense battle that takes place within and around us.

Every day, we are faced with temptations, doubts, and negative forces that try to pull us away from our faith.

But through this new understanding, I have learned to be more vigilant, to put on the armor of God, and to trust in His power to overcome all obstacles.

The spiritual warfare is not something to be feared but rather an opportunity to grow stronger in our faith and to rely on God's grace and protection.

It has opened my eyes to the true nature of the spiritual realm and has made me更加 committed to living a life that honors God.

This newfound awareness has truly changed my Christian life for the better.

Relatable AF: The Universal Experience

We all have those moments in life that are just so relatable. Whether it's that feeling of exhaustion after a long day at work or school, or the excitement of getting a text from someone you like. These experiences are what connect us as human beings.

We can laugh about our shared struggles and celebrate our common joys. It's that sense of knowing that we're not alone in this world. When we read a story or watch a movie and think, "That's exactly how I feel," it gives us a sense of validation.

Relatability is what makes us feel understood and accepted. It allows us to form deeper connections with others and build a sense of community. So the next time you have a relatable moment, don't be afraid to share it with the world. Because chances are, someone else out there is feeling the exact same way. #relatableaf

What really caught my attention about this book was its unique style.

I absolutely loved the letter format that the author used. It was fascinating to read the letters from Screwtape, the more senior and experienced demon, to Wormwood, his rather incompetent nephew who was still in training.

The book delves deep into the themes of religion, the eternal struggle between good and evil, and the power of temptation. I found myself completely engrossed in the story and really liked the book a great deal.

C.S. Lewis is truly an excellent writer. He has this amazing ability to captivate the reader from the very start and keep them hooked until the end.

However, I must admit that I would have also liked to have read things from Wormwood's perspective. While it was extremely insightful to see the world through Screwtape's letters, it would have been nice to get a few glimpses from Wormwood as well.

Overall, this is a fantastic read. It really makes you think and question your own beliefs and values. It's a book that is well worth picking up and reading!

Unsurprisingly, this work is filled to the brim with witticisms and wise sayings that are told in a highly creative narrative. It truly embodies all the traits that are characteristic of a typical C.S. Lewis work. Lewis has a remarkable ability to craft stories that not only entertain but also impart profound wisdom and insights. His use of language is masterful, with each witticism and saying adding depth and charm to the narrative. Whether it's through the dialogue of his characters or the descriptive passages, Lewis manages to engage the reader and keep them hooked from beginning to end. This work is a prime example of his literary genius and is sure to be enjoyed by fans of his writing and those new to his works alike.

I've read bits and pieces of this book over the years. However, I recently got it as an audiobook and finally listened to the whole of it.

C.S. Lewis, as everyone knows, is a remarkably insightful Christian writer. This book presents a clever and entertaining way to illustrate the foibles of human nature.

I found his letter about pride especially funny. He wrote, “Your patient has become humble; have you drawn his attention to the fact? All virtues are less formidable to us once the man is aware that he has them, but this is specially true of humility. Catch him at the moment when he is really poor in spirit and smuggle into his mind the gratifying reflection, 'By jove! I'm being humble!', and almost immediately pride—pride at his own humility—will appear. If he awakes to the danger and tries to smother this new form of pride, make him proud of his attempt—and so on, through as many stages as you please. But don't try this too long, for fear you may awake his sense of humour and proportion, in which case he will merely laugh at you and go to bed.”

I also enjoyed his letter on the importance of keeping the "patient" alive (the setting is during the beginning of WWII in England). This is because it will give the devils many more opportunities to work on him through his life. But if he is killed in his current state (of believing), then he will be lost to the Enemy (God). The British dialogue in the book is truly delightful.

I saw this book on a friend's post and was truly astonished that I hadn't included it in my list of books read.

I'm quite certain I read it in the early 2000s as I used to teach it in my literature class. Back then, I would read it once a year, and I've also picked it up on several occasions since then.

I really, really have a deep affection for this book. There are times when I have to exclaim, "Ouch!" because the words seem to strike a chord very close to home.

The "Toast" within the book is also highly worthy of discussion. In fact, I've even underlined passages in the prefaces!

It's a thin book, which makes it perfect for those readers who are in need of some thinner volumes to fulfill their reading goals for the year. Moreover, it's thought-provoking and highly relevant to our current lives.

With this work, Lewis places himself in the mindset of "the enemy," or the non-Christian, to emphasize the point of how easily our species can be led astray.

The framework consists of a series of letters from Uncle Screwtape, a high-ranking demon of hell, writing to his nephew, a mere tempting spirit on his first assignment to win a soul for Satan. The letters alternate between being encouraging, discouraging, almost kind, and at times even threatening.

Lewis surely intended this as a testament to Christianity, but it is so much more. The principles of Christianity are to love God and love others as you love yourself. Every other commandment simplifies to those two rules. If we remove God from the equation, loving others as we love ourselves would make the world a much better place, regardless of our reasons for doing so.

The copy I read was from the library. A previous reader used a pencil, with incredibly tiny penmanship, to edit the book. In many cases, this was actual editing, although unnecessary. The book was originally written in installments for a magazine in 1942. English was written and spoken somewhat differently then, more formally than it is today. This "editor" attempted to make the language of the book conform to our current writing and speaking patterns. But in other cases...

Here is an example of the other type of editing. I'll put their edits in italics. Text: All is summed up in the prayer which a young female human is said to have uttered recently: "O God, make me a normal twentieth century girl!" Thanks to our labors, this will mean increasingly, "Make me a minx, (flirtatious slut) a moron (dead to thinking), and a parasite (a lazy, selfish user)."

You can see that the editor is precisely the kind of person Screwtape is encouraging his nephew to corrupt. The kind of person who has already been corrupted! How judgmental can one be? But that led me to think that perhaps this was a farce. Maybe the editor was trying to imply just that and add a touch of humor? I don't know, but what I do know is that reading this particular copy, with these specific edits, was infinitely more entertaining than previous reads.

No matter why we treat others as we wish to be treated, it is always right to do so. This book, which is just over 200 pages, explains that. It is easy to remove God from the equation and simply view that presence as a literary device or character, making this a volume that almost anyone can benefit from reading.

“All mortals tend to turn into the thing they are pretending to be. This is elementary..”

This statement holds a great deal of truth and can be applied to many aspects of our lives. We often find ourselves pretending to be something we're not, whether it's to fit in, to impress others, or to avoid facing our true selves. However, as we continue to pretend, we gradually start to become that thing. It's as if our actions and behaviors shape us into the person we're pretending to be.

An incredibly profound book on the realities of life and death, heaven and hell, sin, relationships, and meaning and identity.

This book delves deep into these complex and often overlooked aspects of our existence. It explores the true nature of life and death, the concept of heaven and hell, the meaning of sin, and the importance of relationships. It also examines our search for meaning and identity in a world that can often seem chaotic and confusing. Through its profound insights and thought-provoking ideas, this book challenges us to look within ourselves and question our beliefs and values.

Lewis always offers a distinct perspective.

Here, we encounter a demon, the "Affectionate Uncle Screwtape," who pens letters to his nephew, a novice demon. The story revolves around a man's life. As the narrative unfolds, he becomes a Christian, falls in love with a woman, and participates in WW2. I envision these demons as civilized individuals, donning perfect suits and bow-ties, conversing like refined and sophisticated humans. This provides a novel outlook on the popular concept of "spiritual warfare," which encompasses a plethora of novel and unique (albeit strange and heretical) ideas and teachings. However, Lewis adheres to the Word and the orthodoxies of the church. Instead of evil powers manifesting as deranged beings of hatred and terror, these demons exhibit profound intellect and strategic plans to undermine this person's life. It is logical that demons, who present as "angels of light," must display a certain degree of self-control and intelligence to perpetrate their deception. They must have an understanding of goodness in order to imitate it.

I am not overly interested in demonology or fixated on such matters, so I will keep these aspects brief. Lewis addresses topics within a broader context, concerning the major philosophies of the world and the threats to the truths of the Church during that era. He discusses numerous philosophies and philosophers, some of whom, according to Lewis, are tools of darkness. He specifically pinpoints these philosophies within this man's life. The book demands a cerebral and philosophical mindset, and readers, especially Christians, must bear in mind the opposing viewpoints.

He dedicates the book to J.R.R. Tolkien. I adored this and wondered about their conversations before, during, and after the writing process, as well as their closeness and influence on each other. Although I haven't found a source, I've heard through word-of-mouth that Tolkien assisted Lewis in finding the Christian path. I may explore this relationship further in the future. I believe Tolkien's Christianity plays a significant role in the power of his world-famous trilogy, with its depth, passion, and emotion that transports you to another reality, one that you long to be real and remain in forever. I experience a similar sentiment with Lewis's Narnia, desiring to stay in that world with those characters forever.

My favorite portion of the book occurs in the last chapter, 31. I won't reveal the details, but it uplifts the heart, inspires faith, and nearly brought me to tears of hope, all within the severe rebuke of a higher demon to a trainee for losing his "patient."

I am thoroughly enjoying Lewis. What a remarkable gift to the world, of material that I firmly believe will endure indefinitely.

This is my very first encounter with CS Lewis.

Many people might think that's completely insane. Oh well, that's just their opinion.

The experience was actually quite good and it really made me question a whole lot of things about my prayer life.

It's often extremely hard to remember the spiritual realm that exists all around us.

I also discovered that by waiting until college, I have been able to understand and have read numerous things that he references in his works.

This, in turn, has made me understand his points so much more than I would have been able to 3 or 4 years ago.

It was a really good read.

Very enjoyable and not overly taxing on the brain.

I'm glad I took the time to explore CS Lewis and look forward to reading more of his works in the future.

I have read this before, but I am newly amazed each time at the remarkable insights into the human mind that C. S. Lewis possessed. The very idea for it would have been truly incredible, almost beyond imagination. However, it is not just the idea but the masterful execution of it that makes it all the more deeply impressive. Lewis has an uncanny ability to show just how fine and delicate a line exists between truth and error, between true Christianity and mere morality. He delves deep into the motives for everything we do, unearthing what lies at the very heart of our actions and behaviors. His work forces us to examine ourselves and our beliefs with a new level of scrutiny and understanding. It is a testament to his profound wisdom and literary genius.

Lewis' work ultimately turns out to be an essay on what he believed was the downward path and what behaviors lead humans to have a virtuous life.

He presents a detailed exploration of these concepts, delving into the various aspects that contribute to a life of virtue.

Despite sharing the Christian vision in all possible aspects, his ideas are presented in a way that makes the work accessible and relevant to anyone.

The book offers an interesting and entertaining reading experience, engaging the reader's mind and prompting them to reflect on their own actions and values.

It challenges us to consider the choices we make and how they impact our journey towards a more virtuous life.

Overall, it is a thought-provoking piece that has the potential to inspire positive change in the lives of those who read it.