I came across a quote from Screwtape Proposes a Toast by C.S. Lewis, and it stopped me in my tracks. Before I share it, let me give you context to these books if you haven't read them.

The Screwtape Letters (1942) is a satirical Christian classic written by C.S. Lewis. It’s framed as a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew, a junior tempter named Wormwood.

In the letters, Screwtape gives Wormwood advice on how to lead a human soul (“the Patient”) away from God (referred to as “the Enemy”) and toward damnation.

The brilliance of the book is that it flips perspective — you see Christian life, prayer, temptation, pride, love, and faith through the eyes of the demons. That ironic approach highlights how subtle the enemy’s strategies can be.

It's a riveting series I came across before I got saved and opened my eyes to some of the demons I was facing in that moment. Pretty powerful and eye opening at the time. If I can believe that demons are real, then it isn't far fetched there is also something very real that is good.

The quote that inspired this blog is from Screwtape Proposes a Toast (1959) a satirical essay by C.S. Lewis where the senior demon Screwtape gives an after-dinner speech at the Tempters’ Training College for young devils.

Instead of mentoring Wormwood (like in The Screwtape Letters), Screwtape now addresses a room full of fellow demons, boasting about how they corrupt human society as a whole.

It is also eye opening to the enemies tactic in today's society.

Screwtape says the following:

“The ultimate value, for us, of any revolution, war, or famine lies in the individual anguish, treachery, hatred, rage, and despair which it may produce. I’m as good as you is a useful means for the destruction of democratic societies. But it has a far deeper value as an end itself, as a state of mind which, necessarily excluding humility, charity, contentment, and all the pleasures of gratitude or admiration, turns a human being away from almost every road which might finally lead him to Heaven.”

Let’s be honest—Lewis doesn’t play. His words hit straight to the heart, and they expose something we all get caught in without realizing it.

The Enemy Doesn’t Care About the Headlines

This quote reminds us that the enemy doesn’t care about the war, the politics, the economy, or even social media trends. Those are just tools.

What he really values is the fallout in our hearts:

● Anguish

● Treachery

● Hatred

● Rage

● Despair

Because if he can twist our emotions, he can twist our direction. That’s where the real battle is fought.

Paul reminds us:

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

— Ephesians 6:12

The Subtle Poison of “I’m As Good As You"

On the surface, “I’m as good as you” sounds like a statement of equality. But the way Lewis uses it here, it’s not about true equality—it’s about envy disguised as fairness.

● On Instagram, it looks like: “Why her and not me?”

● In politics, it sounds like: “If I can’t have it, neither should you.”

● In business, it feels like: “I’m just as good, so they shouldn’t get more.”

That mindset doesn’t lift anyone up. It pulls everyone down. And the danger? It shuts out humility, gratitude, contentment, and admiration—all the very things that point us toward God.

James warns us clearly:

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every

evil practice.”

— James 3:16

Choosing a Different Mindset

What if instead of:

● “I’m as good as you,” we said: “God, thank You for making her shine in that way. Teach me what I can learn.”

● “Why not me?” we said: “If it’s in Your plan, Lord, I trust it will be my time.”

● “They don’t deserve that,” we said: “God, thank You for blessing them. Help me steward

what You’ve given me.”

Gratitude kills envy.

Humility breaks pride.

Admiration builds encouragement.

And all of these keep our hearts open to God.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Takeaway: The war for your soul rarely shows up as a battlefield. It shows up in your thoughts, in comparison, in envy, in resentment. The good news? The weapons God gives us—humility,gratitude, contentment, admiration—are stronger than any of those traps.

Get the book: Screwtape Proposes A Toast by C.S. Lewis