The Screwtape Letters - Chapters 12-15:

From chapter 14, Screwtape's (the devil) goal is to advise Wormwood that his efforts to deter or seer the conscience of the patient will be met through centering him on self--the patient's opinion of their talents and become "puffed up" with pride. This is the opposite of God's (the Enemy) way which gives Him the credit because man did not create himself, his talents were given to him, and he is to look to others for encouragement with humility (no vanity). God's goal is for the patient to keep his thoughts on Him after repentance and Wormwood's job is to deter the patient's thoughts onto himself at all costs. The devil's job is to keep a Christian's attention inward in a selfish way and not looking toward God or others (outward) in an unselfish way so that they will question God as to where their talents and integrity come from--self-sufficiency or "God dependent." God's way is to look inward first, in an unselfish or self-denying way and then looking outward toward Him and others unselfishly.
I chose chapter 15 because it finalizes the previous chapters by stating that the devil's desired state of mind for humans is tortured fear and stupid confidence so that they are in a constant state of confusion, making unwise choices, continuously looking inward with self-sufficiency. That way the devil can accomplish complete separation from God and others where there is absolutely no more prayer or relationship between the patient, God and others--no repentance, no eternity--the goal is to keep the patient caught up in the future where he does not think about the present day salvation and only immediate gratification and strives for the future where there is no certainty. Pleasure is a biproduct of the sin--lust--whether it be lust for money, power, control, etc. But what actually leads a person into this sin? Could it be lust or a strong desire? God wants man to think of the future as well without losing sight of the present by doing good for Him. Simultaneously, He wants man to be totally free from worry and not to think so hard on the future but to place his faith and trust in Him to secure the future, keeping a Godly conscience.
The devil (Screwtape) looks for any loophole that he can use to bring a person down. For example, God wants our future secured in Him and "agreeable" for the person and the devil wants to use these attributes to set the person up for a fall so that he/she will have no future. By choosing a prime candidate, a person who seeks God's approval and places their hope in the eternal things, the devil wants to set up the person through thinking only of his or herself so that their attention remains off of God and others so that there isn't any good act or obedience in faith that will move God to secure their future. For example, Screwtape (the devil) wants the patient's focus on the War rather than living for the present for himself, not for God's purpose. If the devil can get the patient to concern himself with the present--where the all grace, all knowledge and all pleasure dwell--then the patient is in a state of complacency and stagnates (nothing accomplished). What are your feelings regarding this situation? And, where do you draw the line of accountability for the patient's eternity?