靠著基督復活的大能,祂已賜給我們踐踏蛇和蠍子的權柄,藉著基督大能之名,仇敵無法傷害 神的兒女。
因此,我們既有了 神國度聖潔尊貴器皿的身分,理當在面對生活各樣的挑戰、困難和層層枷鎖之際,以「耶穌的名」來摧毀惡者的勢力;將 神兒子的能力顯明出來,除滅魔鬼的作為,從各樣的絕望之處破繭而出,並且不再回頭。
耶穌對他們說:「我曾看見撒但從天上墜落,像閃電一樣。我已經給你們權柄可以踐踏蛇和蠍子,又勝過仇敵一切的能力,斷沒有什麼能害你們。(路10:18-19 )
By the power of Christ’s resurrection, God has given us the authority to trample serpents and scorpions, and by Christ’s mighty name, the enemy shall not hurt God’s children.
Therefore, since we have an identity as the holy and honorable vessel in God’s kingdom, we shall destroy the evil one’s power in ‘Jesus’ name’ in facing various challenges, difficulties and shackles, demonstrating the power of the Son of God, destroying the devil’s works, breaking the shell of every kind of despair and never looking back.
Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” (Luke10:18-19)
聖經多處提醒我們「話語的能力」。「嘴」能夠宣告 神的話語,也能摧毀人。張哈拿牧師提醒眾人,要「勒緊口舌」,不要縱容自己的嘴八卦與 神國無關的事。
你們的話,是,就說是;不是,就說不是;若再多說,就是出於那惡者(或作就是從惡裡出來的)。」(太18:18)
接著,牧師點出「當留意自己的心思、動機和行為,日日省察自己,不要留下任何沒有處理的東西。」正如當年 神如何要求以色列人在征戰後,毀壞仇敵的祭壇,並焚燒外邦人所敬拜的一切神像等,現今仍是一樣的標準;我們理當如此行。
你們要將所趕出的國民事奉神的各地方,無論是在高山,在小山,在各青翠樹下,都毀壞了;也要拆毀他們的祭壇,打碎他們的柱像,用火焚燒他們的木偶,砍下他們雕刻的神像,並將)其名從那地方除滅。(申12:2-3)
There’re many Scriptures in the Bible reminding us of ‘the power of the tongue.’ The ‘tongue’ can both declare God’s word and destroy people. Pastor Hannah Chang reminds the people of ‘bridling the tongue,’ not indulging in gossiping things that have nothing to do with the kingdom of God.
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from the evil one. (Matt. 5:37)
The pastor then pointed out ‘paying attention to one’s own thoughts, motives and deeds, examining oneself daily and not keeping anything that has not dealt with.’ Just as God required the people of Israel after the war to destroy the altars of their enemies and burned all the idols worshiped by the gentiles, it’s still the same standard today; we should do the same.
You shall surely destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. You shall tear down their altars and dash in pieces their pillars and burn their Asherim with fire. You shall chop down the carved images of their gods and destroy their name out of that place. (Deut. 12:2-3)
張哈拿牧師首先點出問題—「為什麼基督徒身上會有『罪和上癮』情況?」耶穌基督已復活了,會產生「罪和癮」的輭弱罪性,原因是整個世界都卧在那惡者的手下;彼前2:11也明白地告訴我們:身處這險惡的世界,本來就會經歷私慾與靈魂的爭戰。
我們應正視的除了是「在意識自己犯罪、得罪 神以後,來到主的寶座前真心誠意向祂認罪悔改」,更是要記住「不要再犯!」
她說:「主啊,沒有。」耶穌說:「我也不定你的罪。你回去吧!從今以後不要再犯罪了。」(翰8:11)
接著,張哈拿牧師也分享「不要單以自己的意志力來抵擋試探,只要『堅定的順服主』。」 神明白我們處在光明與黑暗之間的掙扎,但仍賜下盼望~藉著「順服」,我們必能勝過各樣的試探,在你我看不見的領域裡, 神依然扶持著你。
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。你們親近 神, 神就必親近你們。有罪的人哪,要潔淨你們的手!心懷二意的人哪,要清潔你們的心!(雅4:7-8)
Pastor Hannah Chang first pointed out the problem ‘why Christians sin and have addictions?’ Jesus Christ has resurrected, the reason why there is the weak sinful nature of committing sins and addictions is that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1Pet. 2:11 also clearly tells us that as in this evil world we indeed will go through the war between the passions of our flesh and our soul.
What we should face seriously is not only ‘after realizing that you’ve sinned against God, come before the Lord’s throne, repenting and confessing sins to Him sincerely,’ but also remember: ‘sin no more.’
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:11)
And pastor Hannah Chang also shared “not to resist temptations merely by one’s own will but ‘firmly obeying the Lord.’” God understands that we are in struggling between light and darkness but still He grants hope—by ‘obedience’ we can overcome every kind of temptation and in the realm that you and I cannot see God still upholds you.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (Jas. 4:7-8)