1月13日

標題：神的話語能對症下藥

經節：神的道是活潑的，是有功效的，比一切兩刃的劍更快，甚至魂與靈，骨節與骨髓，都能刺入、剖開，連心中的思念和主意都能辨明。（希伯來書四章12節）

神的話是否曾經讓你覺得很不舒服？當你讀經時，是否有些經文讓你的心裏過不去？你是否發覺自己聽道時，經文似乎針對著你？若是如此，你正經歷一件真實的經驗，就是神的話語是活的。神知道你的心思意念，審查你的動機。

神對你說話一定有目的。神知道你的心，祂知道你需要甚麼，才能讓你的生命與基督的生命一致。如果你的口舌犯罪，神的話語會強調舌頭。如果你記恨他人，神的話將使你面對祂饒恕的準則。如果驕傲是你的生命的營壘，神的話語會讓你看到謙卑。無論你需要對付自己任何一種罪，你會發現神的話語正向你揭示這個弱點。

回避聆聽神對你說話，能使你逃避被判罪不安的感受。你也許可以忽視讀經，遠遠避開被管教的場所。你也許可以回避那些會提醒你聖經真理的人。然而，最好的回應是禱告，就像詩人所說：「神啊，求你鑒察我，知道我的心思，試煉我，知道我的意念。」（詩篇一三九：23）讓神的話語指出你的罪與不純潔，並且用水藉著道，完全地洗淨你的罪（以弗所書五：26）。總要藉著神的話，將你的生活與神向你特意說的話連結起來。神的話句句都要當真，要知道神的話語可以鑒察你的心思意念。

The Penetrating Word of God

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

Does God’s word ever cause you discomfort? When you read the Bible does what you read make you uneasy? Do you find when you listen to sermons, that the Scripture seems aimed directly at you? You are experiencing the reality that the word of God is alive and can read your thoughts and judge your intentions.

When God’s word speaks to you, it is always for a purpose. God knows your heart and knows what you need to do to bring your life into conformity to Christ. If you have a problem with sinful talk, the word that comes to you will address the tongue. If you are struggling to forgive, God’s word will confront you with His standard for forgiveness. If pride has a stronghold in your life, God’s word will speak to you about humility. Whatever sin needs addressing, you will find you are confronted by God’s word on the matter.

One way you can escape the discomfort of conviction is to avoid hearing God speak to you. You may neglect reading your Bible and stay away from places where it is taught. You may avoid those whom you know will uphold the truths of Scripture. The best response, however, is to pray as the psalmist did: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Ps. 139:23). Regularly allow the word of God to wash over you and find any sin or impurity (Eph. 5:26). Always make the connection between your life and what God is saying to you through His word. Make a habit of taking every word from God seriously, knowing that it is able to judge your heart and mind.