Home昔日真理報2014年 真理報文章2014 年 9 月【牧者抒懷】不要給魔鬼留地步

【牧者抒懷】不要給魔鬼留地步

 

一個寒冬的夜晚,有一個阿拉伯人正坐在自己的帳篷裏,外面是剌骨的寒風,裏面則比較暖和一些。一會兒,帳篷的門簾輕輕地被撩起來,原來是他的那隻駱駝。阿拉伯人很和藹地問牠:「你有甚麼事嗎?」

駱駝說:「主人啊,外面太冷,我冷得抵受不住了。我想把頭伸到帳篷裏暖和暖和一下,可以嗎?」仁慈的阿拉伯人說:「沒問題。」

駱駝就把牠的頭伸到帳篷裏來了。過了不久,駱駝又懇求道:「能讓我把頸項也伸進來嗎?」阿拉伯人想想,反正也佔不了多少地方,又答應了牠的請求。駱駝於是把整個頸項也伸進了帳篷。牠的身體在外面,頭卻很不舒服地搖來搖去,很快牠又說:「這樣站著很不舒服,其實我把前腿放到帳篷裏來,也就是佔用一點地方,我也可以舒服一些。」

阿拉伯人說:「說得也對,那你就把前腿也放進來吧。」阿拉伯人移動一下身子為駱駝騰出一點空間來,因為帳篷實在是很小。

一會兒,駱駝又搖晃著身體,說:「其實我這樣站在帳篷門口,外面的寒風颳進來,你也和我一起受冷,我看倒不如我整個身體都站到裏面來,我們都可以暖和了!」

可是帳篷實在是小得可憐,要容納一人一駝是不可能的。但是,主人非常善良,保護駱駝就好像保護自己一樣,說:「雖然地方小了點,不過你可以整個身體站到裏面來試試。」駱駝進來的時候說:「看樣子這帳篷是住不下我們兩個的,你身材比較細小,你最好站到外面去。 那樣這個帳篷我就住得下了,而且空間能被充分利用。」

駱駝話還未說完,進來的時候就擠到了主人,將這位阿拉伯人逼到帳篷的角落,轉瞬間,就已經退到了帳篷外面,主人就這樣被駱駝擠了出去。

罪的試探也一樣,剛開始都是一點點,不知不覺就整個進來了,讓我們生命的根基完全倒塌,所以要提高警覺,不要給撒但有機可乘,為牠們留地步,不要讓牠有任何開始的機會!因為撒但是一個徹頭徹尾的機會主義者。林後2:11提醒我們,「免得撒但趁著機會勝過我們,因我們並非不曉得他的詭計。」我們不曉得他的詭計是我們的無知,但是無知 (Ignorance) 不是我們犯罪的藉口,也不是抗辯的理由。

今年我們教會的主題是「裏外順服」,我們齊齊學習內裏、外表,全然順服!怎樣才是順服神呢?雅4:7:「故此你們要順服神。務要抵擋魔鬼,魔鬼就必離開你們逃跑了。」

神與罪,與魔鬼是對立的。光明和黑暗是互不相通的。當我們要順服神,就務要抵擋魔鬼;當我們親近神,即是遠離罪,遠離魔鬼多一些!要抵擋魔鬼,就一定要殺牠們一個片甲不留。因為牠們會在你不知不覺間,捲土重來,像剛才那隻駱駝一樣,得寸然後進尺,佔據然後控制你的人生!

最近看了一套電影,是吳彥祖首次擔任主角兼監製的《控制》,故事以一個似有還無的城市開始,藉著一段兒時的情仇帶領觀眾進入一個解謎的遊戲,有日本推理電影的影子。故事講述在科技高度發達的罪惡浮城裏面,吳彥祖飾演一個保險從業員,他的平淡生活被一個神秘電話打破。為了給母親治病,他鋌而走險,作偽證換取可觀回報。本以為一切天衣無縫,卻被神秘人知道而利用,威逼吳彥祖為他賣命,他的一舉一動,開始被人控制。

影片在中段開始解題,令故事真相開始浮現出來,其間吳彥祖不停的問,為甚麼揀選他來控制,幕後操縱的神秘人告訴他,由他的第一個犯錯開始,由他的第一個貪念開始,他就慢慢的走進這條不歸路!魔鬼撒但控制我們,也就是由我們的第一個犯錯開始,由我們的第一個歪念開始!

當然,若果我們肯面對,肯認錯,肯悔改,就可以在罪裏,在魔鬼撒但的綑綁之中得釋放。但是,人很多時卻不愛惜自己,約3:19「光來到世間,世人因自己的行為是惡的,不愛光,倒愛黑暗,定他們的罪就是在此。」人竟然願意與罪為友,甚至很多基督徒越來越喜歡與黑暗為友,美其名是嚮往自由的空間,實際上是開路、留地步與魔鬼共行!

因此,讓我們穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝,在再次犯錯之前,求神憐憫、幫助,立定心志,不要給魔鬼留下任何地步!

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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