Does the way we live really matter?

Does the way we live and the decisions we make really matter? Recently I have been reading C.S. Lewis’ work entitled “The Screwtape Letters.” The book is a one sided correspondence between “Screwtape” (an undersecretary in the Devil’s hierarchy) and his nephew a junior tempter named “Wormwood” who is trying to recruit a young Christian man (who he calls the patient) to follow Satan. “Screwtape” writes to “Wormwood”….

“I note with grave displeasure that your patient has become a Christian. There is no need to despair; hundreds of these adult converts have been reclaimed after a brief sojourn in the Enemy’s camp and are now with us. All the habits of the patient, both mental and bodily, are still in our favour”(Lewis).

I share this portion of C.S. Lewis’ book because I think many people need to be awakened to the tricks of Satan and his plan to use sin to bring death and destruction. I don’t think that it is
healthy to be fixated on Satan. Why should we when we have been called to “fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12). However, I think that many people in our culture don’t even realize that Satan is waging a war against our souls and that he plans to use the “old habits of our life” against us.

As followers of Jesus Christ we have been called to be set apart for God’s glory. We don’t give our lives to God just to escape hell; we also give our lives to God so that we can truly live now. Satan desires to entice us with the temptations of this world knowing that sin brings death. However, God has come to fill us with His Holy Spirit which empowers us to live abundant
lives. I take great delight in knowing that “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those who hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Abiding in Him!
Stephen Willis