Wormwood’s job is to keep the enemy which is newborn Christian or recent Christian convert from following Jesus wholeheartedly. Being the amateur he is, Woodworm keeps getting prodded by his uncle Screwtape on why Woodworm fails in most of his ‘assignments’.
Screwtape’s letters points out Wormwood’s mistakes and one of them goes like this:
My dear Wormwood,
The following instruction shall help you proceed in handicapping your convert’s effectiveness in the enemy’s kingdom. One of our greatest allies is perception. It is your task, therefore, to feed the humans poor self esteem.
You must continue to encourage them to compare themselves with whoever they admire; this will eventually immobilize them. When they feel inadequate, they will no longer attempt anything for the Enemy’s kingdom because of the fear of failure. Their belief in their twisted self perception will lead them to unhealthy relationships and hinder their ability to love others.
Ultimately, their relationship with the Enemy Himself will be badly affected. They will be unsatisfied with how their Creator has created them and their intimacy with be destroyed. They will then find it difficult to trust their own Creator, pray to Him or read that detestable book!
Finally, make them focus on their weaknesses repeatedly that they begin to believe that they are indeed unimportant. If you successfully convince them that their Creator is never pleased with them, they will strive compulsively to please the Enemy through their own efforts and eventually grow weary and give up altogether. I have tried these methods so now it is time for you to master it.
Your kind uncle,
Screwtape
James 1:16 - Don't be deceived, my dear brothers.
- Irene Soon