1月14日

標 題：爭戰或磨練

經 節：因為主所愛的，祂必管教，又鞭打凡所收納的兒子。（希伯來書十二章6節）

許多基督徒有個傾向，就是把所有不如意的事都視為「屬靈爭戰」。當困難發生時，許多基督徒馬上向神祈求挪去他們的危難。但問題是，他們的苦境不見得與撒但或屬靈爭戰相關。與其相信自己所收割的正是所種的苦果，或坦承自己乃被天父所管教，我們寧可歸咎自己的苦難是出自於撒但的攻擊，但這可是太抬舉自己了（加拉太書六：7）。

我們往往把天父的管教錯認為撒但的攻擊。若不重視自己肩負孩子們屬靈教師的責任，神可能容許子女們犯罪。如果你在工作上不誠實，神可能允許你承受事情後果，好糾正你的行為。在這種情況求神挪去你的苦難是不智的。神管教你，好引起你的注意，進而改變你的生命。一個人若從未將自己的問題歸於神的管教，是極其悲慘的！如果你把神的管教視為撒但的攻擊，對你的生命毫無助益。並非你所遭遇的每件苦難都是神的懲罰，然而，聖經的確告訴我們，神會管教祂的兒女。

如果你不明白神的懲罰是為了磨練你，你可能會抱怨神不聽你的禱告，或抱怨神不保護你免受撒但的攻擊。就在此時，神正在警告你，要你正視自己罪行的後果。你生命中是否正面對困難的環境？這是否是神的管教？神的本性是完全的愛。祂會改正你，因為祂向你所懷的意念自始至終是善的。

Warfare . . . or Discipline?

For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives. (Hebrews 12:6)

There is a tendency among Christians to view anything unpleasant that happens to them as the result of “spiritual warfare.” When a difficulty arises, many immediately ask God to remove their distress. The problem is that their predicament may have nothing to do with Satan or with spiritual warfare. It may appear far more glorious for us to explain our hardships as Satan’s determined attacks against us, rather than admitting that we are merely reaping what we have sown and are being disciplined by our heavenly Father (Gal. 6:7).

What is often mistaken as Satan’s attack may actually be chastisement from our loving Father. If you have neglected your role as spiritual teacher to your children, God may allow them to fall into sin. If you have been dishonest at work, God may correct you by letting you face the consequences. It would be foolish to pray that God would ease your discomfort. God is disciplining you in order to gain your attention and bring necessary change to your life. How tragic never to make the connection between your problems and God’s discipline. God’s discipline will not help you if you dismiss it as Satan’s doing or spiritual warfare. Not every hardship you face is the chastisement of God, but Scripture indicates that God will discipline you.

If you misunderstand God’s chastening, you may actually blame Him for not answering your prayers or failing to protect you from Satan. Meanwhile, God is warning you of the danger you face because of your sin. Are there difficult circumstances in your life? Could it be the discipline of God? God, whose nature is perfect love, will correct you because He has your ultimate good in His heart.