A Good Defense 坚固的防线

[Dexu Xia]

Be alert and of sober mind. 1 Peter 5:8

Today's Scripture 1 Peter 5:8 -11

Today's Insights  Believers in Jesus are urged to “resist [the devil]” and stand “firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9). Jesus told His followers, “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13). The apostle Paul urged believers to “be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13). And he acknowledged that God is the one who enables us to stand firm in Christ through faith (2 Corinthians 1:21, 24). We can be strong in our battle against the devil by putting on “the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13). And we have the Spirit inside us to encourage and guide us (Romans 8:26). The best defensive strategy against any temptation our enemy hurls our way is to read the Scriptures, pray, and ask God to help us

Today's Devotion  On the basketball court, our grandson’s seventh-grade team did their best to score. Offense was their passion. But after each basket, their coach urged them to hurry back downcourt and play defense, which they were sometimes reluctant to do. Everyone wanted to score, but no one seemed eager to put in the hard work of defending.

The key to the game, the coach taught them, was to anticipate the movements of the opposing players. Stepping in front of a pass or shot would thwart the other team’s scoring and help the team win the game.

A defensive strategy that anticipates the moves of our enemy can also help in our spiritual lives. And who is that enemy? Peter’s letter to believers in Jesus reminds us: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). So “be alert and of sober mind,” Peter wrote. Indeed, we’re called to “resist” our spiritual enemy, “standing firm in the faith” (v. 9).

Living out an active defense leads us as believers in Jesus to be more effective in our lives and in the productive work we seek to do for His kingdom. Then, if we have spiritual setbacks, the God of all grace “will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (v. 10). He is the one who establishes us, and who builds our strong defense—in Him.

Reflect & Pray

Where have you “dropped the ball” defensively in your spiritual life? How can you be more alert and sober-minded?

O God, When I let down my guard in life, please remind me to be alert and sober in mind.  May the Holy Spirit guide me to resist Emeny’s temptation with the best defensive strategy. By Patricia Raybon

“务要谨守，警醒。”(彼得前书5:8 )

今日经文：彼得前书5:8-11

今日洞见：使徒彼得奉劝信靠耶稣的人要“抵挡[魔鬼]”，并“在真道上站立得稳”（彼得前书5:9）。耶稣曾告诉祂的跟随者：“惟有忍耐到底的，必然得救”（马太福音10:22；24:13；马可福音13:13）。使徒保罗也劝勉信徒要“务要谨守，在真道上站立得稳，要作大丈夫，要刚强”（哥林多前书16:13）。他也承认，正是上帝使我们能凭着信心在基督里站立得稳（哥林多后书1:21, 24）。只要穿上“上帝所赐的全副军装”（以弗所书6:13），我们就能在抵挡魔鬼的争战中刚强有力。此外，我们里面还有圣灵内住，时刻鼓励并引导我们（罗马书8:26）。面对仇敌向我们抛来的任何诱惑，最好的防守策略就是研读圣经、祷告，并祈求上帝的帮助。

今日灵修：我们读七年级的孙子的篮球队，在球场上总是竭尽全力去得分。对进攻他们满腔激情。然而，每当进球后，教练总是敦促他们迅速回防；对此，他们有时候显得不那么情愿。他们每个人都渴望得分，却似乎没有人愿意付出艰辛，努力防守对方。教练教导他们，比赛的关键在于预判对手的动作，只要能抢先一步挡住对方的传球或投篮，就能挫败对方得分的企图，从而帮助本队赢得比赛。

  这种能够预判仇敌动向的防守策略，同样也能帮助我们赢得属灵争战。那我们对手是谁呢？彼得在写给耶稣信徒的信中提醒我们：“你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人”（彼得前书5:8）。因此你们：“务要谨守，警醒。”显然，我们蒙召是去“抵挡”那属灵的仇敌魔鬼，使我们“在真道上站立得稳”（9节）。 作为耶稣的信徒，若能活出积极的防守姿态，我们就能使我们在日常事物中，以及为神国度所从事的各项有生命力的事工上，变得大有能力，卓有成效。即便遭遇属灵的挫折，那“赐诸般恩典的神”也必亲自成全我们，坚固我们，赐力量给我们，建立我们（10节）。正是祂在基督里为我们建造了坚固防线，使我们不至动摇。

反思与祷告 在你的属灵生命中，你曾在哪些方面“疏于防守”？你当如何变得更加警醒、更加清醒自守？

我的神，每当我在生命中有所松懈、放下警惕时，我恳求祢提醒我：“务要谨守，警醒”。愿圣灵引导我用最佳防守策略抵挡仇敌的诱惑。

作者：帕特里夏·雷本