Heart and Life

 October 1, 2023

I always expect to learn when I attend Sunday School. I’ve often been challenged or encouraged, given something that hopefully makes me a better human being. This morning I was leading the class in the absence of our teacher who was away for the weekend. People often expect the teacher to impart some wisdom, but today it was one of the students who taught the teacher. 

We’ve been studying C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters,” a fanciful narrative of senior demon Screwtape writing letters of advice for novice demon Wormwood on how to best ensnare a new believer and foil the plans of the Enemy, Jesus Christ.

Chapter three begins with Screwtape telling Wormwood that “the Enemy will be working from the center outwards,” rather than the other way around. I asked what that meant and received this gem in response:

“God works on the heart to impact our life;

Satan works in our life to impact our heart.”

There’s really not much I can add to that. As a Christian, I almost instinctively know the first statement to be true, but the second is just as important. Sometimes we imagine that if we get our heart right, all will be well, forgetting that the things we do affect our hearts. It’s possible to sear the conscience, to give what we consider a small sin a toehold in our lives. But that small sin is like a seed that grows till our hearts are dull and senseless to the work of the Holy Spirit. 

It’s important to allow the Holy Spirit to use Scripture and worship to change our hearts, but it’s just as important to refuse entry into our lives habits or actions that can dull our responsiveness to the work of God in our hearts, and to engage in habits that strengthen our resolve and fortify our faith.