Pitchfork, horns and a red suit

A few months back I read The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. I know, every seminary or Bible college student in the Western world has probably read this book, and that is partly why I wanted to read it too. It was interesting, and I have been internalizing and processing the main concept in the book: the Evil One is sneaky, he wants to thwart everything that comes from God, and he won't use the traditional pitchfork, horns, and a red suit.

Lewis writes a lot about complacency and how that is such a huge tool of the Devil, that is why Peter wrote:

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (I Peter 5:8)

We must be alert to his schemes and plots, because he is looking to devour you! The thought that you have an angel on your shoulder telling you the "right" thing to do and the devil on your shoulder trying to lead you astray is naive at best, and life-threatening at worst. The Hollywood depiction of the Devil dressed up in a red suit with a pitchfork is ignorant - the Evil One "prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour." This is serious stuff, not humorous guys dressed in suits. His main tool is complacency and ignorance. As Eugene Peterson writes in The Message,

Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. (I Peter 5:8)

I began to really process The Screwtape Letters when I listened to a song by Andy Gullahorn called "If I were the Devil." Gullahorn actually wrote the song after he read The Screwtape Letters. Here are the lyrics:

If I were the devil I wouldn’t wear red.

I wouldn’t have horns or a pitchfork.

I wouldn’t breathe fire cause it might give me away.

But if I were the devil you’d never know.

I’d befriend you quick and corrupt you slow

so you don’t notice until its far too late.

If I were the devil. If I were the devil.

If I were the devil I’d spend all day

lowering standards of what’s okay

to think to say to watch on your tv.

I’d break down the value of promises kept

and fade out truth till there’s nothing left

except gossip and lies popping up as thick as weeds.

If I were the devil, If I were the devil.

I might not be as foreign as you think

cause I wouldn’t always show my evil side.

I’ve got the time and patience just to wait

and steal your soul just one sin at a time.

Like I would if I were.

No I’m not the devil but if I was,

I’d take God’s people and split them up

to keep their minds off who they’re called to be.

So they’re no longer fighting over living or dead

its is it the body or just bread

while all the unfed die hungry on the street.

If I were the devil, If I were the devil (Chorus)

I’d make moms and dads who never stick around.

Pain so bad you have to drink to drown.

And guilt so I can kick you when you’re down.

And I would if I were. If I were the devil I wouldn’t wear red.

I wouldn’t breathe fire cause it might give me away.

Satan is prowling, he wants to divide us, he wants to separate, to water hate, and root up love, and he doesn't do it with a pitchfork. He tries to get into our relationships, into our lives at the simplest levels. He isn't complex, he wants to corrupt, he wants to fade out truth, he wants to devour. This is done slowly, so be on your guard, be "self-controlled and alert," and I highly recommend reading The Screwtape Letters even if every seminary student already has.