Forbearance (Part 2)

2.  In Temptation

        Although Christians are reborn by the Holy Spirit, passions and desires of the flesh still exist; such as envy, greed, sexual immorality, arrogance, deceit, unclean thoughts, prejudice, etc.  These are all clear targets for Satan to attack Christians.  When Christians are attacked, they will feel guilty, unfaithful to the Lord, and may even doubt if they are truly born-again.  This is temptation.  The purpose of temptation is to destroy one’s faith.  The Bible's teaching on this regard is:

       “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;   but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.   Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.”    James1:12-16 W

       When facing temptation, in addition to understanding the true picture of the temptation, we need "forbearance."  When one perseveres under trial, he or she is considered “blessed” because this is an act of love for God, and for that, he or she will receive “the crown of life.”  It seems that forbearance can turn temptation into a blessed trial, to prove one's love for the Lord is true, and can stand the test.

        There are two kinds of “forbearance”:  defensive and offensive.  Defense is to restrain the lusts of the flesh, and patiently resist whatever torments temptation brings.  But passive resistance is physically and emotionally draining.  One may collapse and fail in the long run.  Instead of allowing the energy to be drained in exhaustion, we can spend the same energy on offense with godly actions, such as:

1. Praying with pure-hearted people (to receive encouragement and support).

2. Studying the Bible (allowing God to speak to you).

3. Participating in the ministries of evangelism and disciple-making (for the benefit of others).

4. Reading a spiritual book (to broaden your spiritual horizons).

5. Simply doing something good for the body and mind (anything that defeats the devil’s purpose is to your advantage).

     Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.    James 4:7

    A strong counterattack can shorten the test of temptation, and as a result reduce the torment.  (more next week)

 (續上週）                                                                                忍耐

二、受試探

        基督徒雖然從聖靈重生，肉體的邪情私慾依然存在；如嫉妒、貪婪、 姦淫、驕傲、詭詐，還有從前的歪曲思維、成見、情緒包袱等等。這都是撒但伺機攻擊基督徒的明顯標靶。當基督徒受到這類的攻擊，會覺得自己污穢、對主不忠，甚至懷疑自己是否從聖靈重生。這就是試探。試探的目的是要摧毀信徒的信心。聖經在這方面的教導是：（雅各書 1:12-16）

       12忍受試探的人是有福的，因為他經過試驗以後，必得生命的冠冕，這是主應許給那些愛他之人的。13人被試探，不可說：「我是被神試探」；因為神不能被惡試探，他也不試探人。14但各人被試探，乃是被自己的私慾牽引誘惑的。15私慾既懷了胎，就生出罪來；罪既長成，就生出死來。16我親愛的弟兄們，不要看錯了。

          面對試探，我們除了需要認清試探的原委之外，就是「忍耐」。這種忍耐被聖經稱爲是「有福」的，因爲忍耐就表明是「愛」主的了；因此主要將「生命的冠冕」賜給忍受試探的人。看來，忍耐也能使試探轉化爲試煉， 證明信徒愛主的心是「真」的，並且經得起考驗。

         忍耐也分沉着和反擊兩種。沉着就是約束肉體的私慾，耐心抵抗試探下的煎熬。但這樣的沉着應對十分損耗情緒和精力，長期下去容易崩潰、失敗。與其讓情緒和精力白白消耗，我們可以採取些行動，反擊魔鬼的企圖；就是將注意力轉移到敬虔的操練上，如：

一、與清心的人一同禱告。             （使信心得到鼓勵、支持）

二、研讀聖經。                                 （讓自己能聽見神說話）

三、參加傳福音及培育門徒的事工。     （讓別人得益處）

四、選讀一本屬靈書籍。               （拓寬自己的屬靈視野）

五、甚至做任何有益身心的事。反正只要使魔鬼的企圖不能得逞，就是爲自己加分。

        雅各書 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。

        積極的反擊，有望縮短試探的時間和煎熬（下週待續……） 

Comments for this post are now off.