I read the C.S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters, a few years ago. If you have not read the book, it is the story of a demon, a fallen angel, or however you would like to refer to a servant of Satan. It is the job of these demons to turn humans away from God. In the story, an older and wiser servant of Satan was teaching his nephew on the ways to turn humans from God. The uncle tells his nephew that completely turning a human to the dark side is not ideal. The most ideal place for a human to be is when they think they are still good, moral, and Christian, however, their intentions are flawed and their lives focus on so many other things besides God.
“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.”
They (the demons) want us to be on the path to hell without even realizing it because if we realize, we will do something about it. I think this is similar to what it looks like to be a lukewarm Christian.
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
– Revelation 3:15-16
Lukewarm Christians believe in God, but their lives do not show it. They may not be doing anything “wrong” but they are not being servants of God. This is the worst place to be in because it is difficult to recognize that there is a problem.
The Branches 