This week, Ian will be flying solo, as Galen is away dealing with family matters, and I’d ask everyone to keep him and his loved ones in prayer for healing and peace. As we head into Labor Day, with summer winding down in the north and spring arriving in the south, it’s a natural moment to reflect on the season and the year ahead. But amid these rhythms of life, we can’t ignore the constant presence of evil in the world—a reality that inspired our Screwtape Letters podcast, rooted in C.S. Lewis’s reminder that dark forces seek to pull us away from God.

Scripture repeatedly warns us not to invite evil in but to expose and resist it. Too often, trouble begins with small compromises—relationships or habits that seem harmless but open the door to destructive influences. The Bible shows us, from Judges to the Psalms, that without Christ as our compass, evil flourishes and the strong exploit the weak. The tragedies we see in the news—school shootings, stabbings, hate crimes, trafficking, displacement, and violence across nations—remind us that demonic forces delight in sowing chaos and despair, pushing people to question God’s presence. Yet Romans tells us: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Confronting evil starts in our homes and hearts. We must guard against spiritual footholds, resist the devil through prayer and Scripture, and keep our families safe, both physically and spiritually. Small cracks—unchecked anger, harmful media, unwise choices—can become doorways for disruption. Leaders in the home must stay vigilant, while also practicing true charity, which weakens the grip of darkness and reflects Christ’s love. As Isaiah says, we are called to seek justice, defend the vulnerable, and care for the widow and fatherless. So as you enjoy this holiday weekend, remain mindful and faithful, standing firm against evil, and we look forward to Galen’s return next week.

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The discussion on the podcast episode centers around the enduring significance of the Lord's Prayer, particularly the phrase “give us this day our daily bread,” as an essential part of Christian spiritual discipline. The hosts highlight Lewis’s perspective that prayer should not be reserved solely for moments of spiritual fervor or times of need. Instead, prayer is a command and a daily discipline that keeps believers connected to God, serving as a means of seeking not only material sustenance but also grace, wisdom, forgiveness, and spiritual protection. The hosts emphasize that even when life seems fulfilling or when distractions abound—such as the character in Lewis’s letter who is in love and happy—regular, intentional prayer is both necessary and transformative.

They further explain how C.S. Lewis, once a skeptic, used his analytical and literary talents to explore and unpack deep Christian truths in accessible ways. The conversation unpacks the idea that many of Lewis’s works, including The Chronicles of Narnia, are deeply Christian even if not always identified as such by the broader public. Lewis’s later-life conversion brought a profound scriptural insight into his writings, connecting biblical themes and showing that the Bible’s teachings are more interwoven and relevant than they might first appear. Especially within The Screwtape Letters, Lewis uses literary “Easter eggs” from scripture to illuminate the subtle ways spiritual adversaries try to distract believers from practices like daily prayer and obedience, reinforcing that prayer is an act of faith done in all seasons—good or bad, emotional or routine.

Finally, the hosts reflect on how prayer, as taught in the Lord’s Prayer, is not just about asking for life’s material needs but about trusting God’s wisdom in providing what is genuinely needed, including grace to forgive others and strength to avoid temptation. They share personal anecdotes illustrating that answers to prayer don’t always align with personal desires, but often lead to outcomes that are ultimately revealed as better through faith and trust in God’s provision. The episode concludes by encouraging growth in prayer, scriptural understanding, and spiritual vigilance in confronting the challenges and distractions of modern life.

Look out for our upcoming book "Confronting Evil in Our Time,” which will be released this year.

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Show site www.screwtapeletterspodcast.com

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🙏 Reserve your signed, first edition book, “Confronting Evil in Our Time” today!

Limited copies available. Release date: September 2025. Bless a friend with a copy.

https://screwtapeletterspodcast.com/confronting-evil-in-our-time-the-book/

In this episode of the Screwtape Letters podcast, the hosts dive into the nuanced, often misinterpreted biblical command to "love your neighbor as yourself," as discussed in one of C.S. Lewis's letters. They emphasize that the familiar phrase is frequently reduced to just "love your neighbor," overlooking the importance of healthy self-care and self-regard that the latter half of the command implies. The conversation draws a distinction between a balanced, non-narcissistic self-love, one in which individuals responsibly look after their own physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, and the egocentric attitudes often promoted in contemporary culture. The hosts argue that only by maintaining such a foundation can a person genuinely extend meaningful, active charity to others in accordance with the mind of Christ.

The podcast further explores how Lewis, through the lens of demonic distortion, exposes the pitfalls of misunderstanding selflessness and unselfishness in relationships, especially marriage. The demonic strategy, as described in Screwtape's letter, is to turn well-intentioned self-denial into a lose-lose dynamic: people sacrifice not to benefit each other, but simply to feel or appear selfless, resulting in mutual dissatisfaction and resentment. This false humility or passive self-erasure fails to foster genuine charity or unity. Instead, healthy relationships require clear communication of needs, the willingness to both give and receive, and an active pursuit of the other's well-being, not just a denial of one's own desires.

Ultimately, the episode challenges listeners to rethink both self-love and sacrificial love. The hosts warn against two extremes: selfish ambition, which leads to disorder and division, and a hollow unselfishness that produces bitterness and stagnation. Instead, they promote intentional, discerning charity, an active love that recognizes the individual needs and desires of both giver and receiver. By grounding their reflections in the teachings of Jesus and Paul, the hosts encourage listeners to seek wisdom in loving themselves and others, and to be aware of subtle traps that can undermine genuine Christian living.

Look out for our upcoming book "Confronting Evil in Our Time,” which will be released this year.

Subscribe and join us and our guests on this journey.

Show site www.screwtapeletterspodcast.com

Truth @screwtapeletterspodcast

X @screwtapepodcst

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Podcast management by www.globalcreativegroup.com