The Screwtape Letters – Letter 9

Key Notes

Peak vs. Trough Periods

When humans are at a “Peak”—meaning they have more physical energy, joy, health, or are spiritually vibrant—they’re harder to tempt. Yes, they might have stronger desires (like sexual appetite), but they also have stronger self-control, higher morale, and are more capable of using their energy for good things like creativity, play, deep thought, or even love.

Trough Periods Are the Best for Temptation

When people are in a “Trough”—feeling dull, sad, lonely, or spiritually dry—they’re much more vulnerable. That’s when temptation can take root more easily, because they’re tired, discouraged, and looking for something to numb the pain.

Pleasure Isn’t Evil, But How It’s Used Can Be

Screwtape admits that real pleasure (sex, joy, friendship, even laughter) is actually God’s invention, not the demons’. They can’t create joy—they can only twist it. The goal is to push humans to use good things in bad ways, or in wrong timing, or in excessive amounts.

Corruption of Desire

They want to turn natural desires (like sexuality or the need for comfort) into disordered desires—more addictive, less fulfilling, and more disconnected from God. The ultimate plan is to make people crave more and more, but enjoy less and less.

Two Types of People—Two Temptation Strategies

A. The Despondent Type (easily discouraged or self-critical):

• Convince them that something is wrong with them. 
• Isolate them from experienced, mature Christians who might encourage them. 
• Get them to read Bible verses out of context in a way that makes them feel more hopeless.
• Push them to try and “force” their way back to that emotional high with effort or willpower.
  • When that fails (and it will), they feel like their faith is fake or broken.

Goal: Get them to give up in despair.

B. The Wishful-Thinking Type (easygoing, a little passive): I am definitely this type

• Let them get used to being lukewarm—accept the “dryness” as normal.
• Slowly convince them that maybe they were too passionate about faith at the beginning.
• Use lines like “everything in moderation” to cool them down.
• Get them to believe that religion is fine, as long as it’s not too serious.

Goal: Make them settle into a diluted, lifeless version of Christianity.

This book has deeply helped me see through the mind tricks the devil has thrown at me. I often feel sad after doing something I thought was good, only to have it not be received well by others. It made me wonder if I’m just too passionate about God, and I started telling myself I needed to tone it down. But Lewis is spot on about this, and I’m so glad I read it today. Otherwise, that doubt could have clouded my passion for a long time.