Stealing The Devil’s Playbook

Here’s a fun exercise: Pretend you’re a general in Satan’s army.

(Stay with me here…)

Just for a moment, imagine you’re one of the bad guys. Now, ask yourself a question: “How would YOU defeat you if you were on the devil’s side?”

I once described my spiritual life as feeling like I am falling into open manholes over and over again. If you have any sins that are constantly being brought up in the confessional, you know what I’m talking about.

One reason for this is that we are often oblivious to the spiritual war going on around us. This makes it very easy for the devil, as we become easy marks for the landmines he puts in our paths.

Like a “prepper” who gets his house in order by imagining an endless assortment of apocalyptic worst-case scenarios, our spiritual life can benefit from spending a little time looking at ourselves from the enemy’s perspective.

I once spent an hour journaling on this topic, inspired by C.S. Lewis’ classic The Screwtape Letters. What resulted felt like a secret file with my name scribbled on the front that had been smuggled out of hell by my guardian angel.

Here are some highlights. (Just like in Lewis’ book, the “Enemy” became the name given for God.):

Plant the thought that the Enemy is tired of delivering Jason from all the holes he finds himself in. Even though he has provided for him in the past, it’s time for him experience “tough love” and his “luck” is about to run out in order to help him “grow.” This should give you an opening to encourage him to play small, hoard what he has, and snuff out that terrible new aim of his to become more generous.

Wear him down with worries of all shapes and sizes. When one worry is proven to have resolved itself, send up another. You can recycle them; just tell him that “this time is different.” You don’t even need a reason why. He accepts these worries as his own. He has yet to figure out they just drain his energy and distract him from what matters. 

See if you can get Jason to believe that these challenges are actually punishments that are the result of him not being good enough.

Send a never-ending barrage of reminders about past failures. Of course, leave out any evidence of past wins! Create a concrete pattern of underachievement to discourage him, convincing him that even trying is a waste of time.

Another excellent tool is to point out all the people who are more successful than him, especially other followers of the Enemy. You can go many directions here. Tell him it’s because he’s not good enough. Or that the Enemy loves them more. Trusts them more. They have more to offer him. All good routes that usually work. 

Get him to think all these thoughts are his, and because of that, they are also true. Mix in just enough truth to make the lies believable, as to not arouse any suspicion.

It was not a particularly pleasant experience, but boy, was it enlightening. And it’s proven to be very, very helpful in my spiritual life.

An exercise like this can be uncomfortable and unnerving, but it might be worth your time this week to reflect on what notes your “file” might have in it.

To help you get started, consider…

1. What day of the week and what time of day do you feel most edified and connected to God? What days and times are you most susceptible to attack?
   
2. Which of the people you spend time with are more likely to serve as a wall that helps keep out the devil? Which companions are more likely to give him an opening to pounce?
   
3. If you were advising the devil on the best strategy to take you out, what places would you tell him to set up a post? What activities would you encourage him to tempt you to do more of? What situations would you suggest offer his best bet for a crushing blow?

I get it. It feels better to pretend we’re not in a spiritual war, or that the devil doesn’t exist, but pretending a trap isn’t there doesn’t keep you from stepping in it.

But beware! The point of opening our eyes to the chinks in our armor and the weaknesses in our game is not to give us the false assurance that we can take on the devil ourselves. That only plays right into his hands. Rather, it’s to help us become more effective soldiers in God’s army. 

To help us locate the areas of enemy territory we’d best avoid. 

To identify the situations that require us to call for backup. 

To spot the mines we shouldn’t step on. 

To uncover the graces we need to be asking for. 

This awareness also makes it easier to prioritize the opportunities we have to upgrade our armor by growing in wisdom, courage, and fortitude. Opportunities that include daily Mass, reconciliation, and Eucharistic adoration. 

The good news is that the good guys win. The victory is the Lord’s, and we are his children.

But in the meantime, we called to join the fight. 

Our mission? To become more like Jesus from within enemy territory.

So let’s play to win by stealing the devil’s playbook.

If you were trying to defeat YOU, where would you begin?