Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 9 月【開卷有益】 小心魔鬼很聰明

【開卷有益】 小心魔鬼很聰明

 

book世間真的有鬼嗎?有人曾經歷過,因此篤信不疑;也有人以理性科學的心態去解釋一切稀奇古怪的事,認為鬼魔之說實屬無稽之談,不足以盡信。

然而聖經記載鬼真的存在,而且可以附於人身上,進行騷擾、恫嚇、破壞和傷害,最終目的是要掌控人的心靈。二十世紀文學大師魯益師(C. S. Lewis)是一位極有份量的基督教知名作家,他於 1941 年所寫的《地獄來鴻》(The Screwtape letters: Letters From A Senior To A Junior Devil),就是以他豐富的想像力和輕鬆風趣的筆調描寫鬼群千方百計、各出奇謀掠奪人心的種種技倆,數十年來,不但引起萬千讀者的共鳴,更讓一些以為平安穩妥的基督徒醒悟:原來自己身處險境,差點兒成為眾多鬼魔矢志攫取的囊中之物。

這本諷世小說近年在北美重新受到關注,不僅漫話書和廣播劇先後問世,甚至籌劃改拍成電影。2010 年更由美國表演藝術團契改編為舞台劇,在紐約百老匯外圍劇場首演,一度成為佳話。此書中文版曾由道聲出版社翻譯刊行,上市之後,即銷售一空,宣告絕版。2014 年再度由台灣校園書房重新校譯、修改出版,新譯書名為《小心魔鬼很聰明》,如此經典的著作,值得讀者一再細讀深思。

魯益師在書中以鬼魔界資深的老魔頭為名,寫了卅一封信給小鬼頭,指導牠如何施展諸般計謀,竭盡所能地攻擊一位熱情洋溢的年輕小伙子,務求阻撓他決志歸向上帝,甚至引誘他放棄信仰,走向罪惡滅亡之路。鬼魔界最高領袖,在聖經中被稱為撒但,手下有很多大魔頭和小鬼頭日以計夜、想方設法地把上帝的子民,羅致到牠們幽暗邪惡的陣營裡去。

魔鬼使用兩種方法使讓人遠離上帝、不信上帝、悖逆上帝。第一種是叫人犯罪、不守上帝的律法,諸如殺人放火、姦淫擄掠、說謊欺騙等,這種方法簡單直接,但不夠高明,容易被識破,是功力較差的小鬼頭常用的手法。

資深的老魔頭便聰明得多了,牠的招數間接、平和、難以察覺,牠還勉勵人靠自己守律法、做好人,逐漸覺得不需要上帝的恩典與拯救,最終就像法利賽人一樣假冒為善,以為自已很了不起,不再仰賴上帝。

魯益師在寫作本書時,正值全歐籠罩在戰爭的陰影下,他描述一位英格蘭年輕人從未信到初信的過程之中,所經歷的心靈掙扎,正好是很多基督徒的真實寫照。同時,他亦面對戰爭及其他生活的種種壓力,諸如:他與母親之間的隔閡、教會生活、開始戀愛和從軍過程,都成為魔鬼下手的好機會。在每一個關鍵時刻、每一個生活細節、人生裡每個選擇和決定,魔鬼都總有辦法讓人對信仰產生疑惑,甚至離棄信仰。

魔鬼不怕人經常上教會、領受聖餐,並參與事奉,只要他外表仍維持基督徒的行為習慣,讓他心安理得便好了。而內心卻不願思想跟上帝有關的事,尤其牽涉到罪的問題,讓他盡量規避,越來越不喜歡履行上帝對人的聖潔要求:遠離惡事。如此,魔鬼誘惑人沉醉於俗世逸樂的詭計便得逞了。

即使人繼續上教會,魔鬼也可以讓他對教會諸多不滿,因此決意四出奔波,尋找適合他的教會,直到他成為對教會評頭品足的專家。這樣,對教會、對信徒造成的傷害不可謂不少啊!

魔鬼攻擊人的手法變化多端,最主要是引人離棄真實,鼓勵人天馬行空、高談闊論,卻不切實際、不落實行動;誘導人吹毛求疵,卻不努力改善;勸勉人只重心靈的境界,卻無視旁人的困苦。

魔鬼喜歡安逸,因為安逸使人鬆懈墮落;魔鬼不喜歡看到苦難,因為苦難破壞人對塵世的眷戀,轉向上帝,尋求心靈的滿足和安慰。因此魔鬼順著人好逸惡勞的本性,使人耽於逸樂,追求奢華享受,再不嚮往永恆的家鄉。

魔鬼比我們想像中還要聰明,牠不會拿香蕉皮害人跌倒、伸出腳把人絆倒,反而搬來名利、權勢、威望,為你鋪砌一條通往地獄的康莊大道。基督徒不得不小心謹慎,免得掉進牠精心設計的陷阱裡去!

 

      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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