Be Careful!
Dexu Xia
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Today's Scripture James 4: 1-10
Today's Insights In addition to the admonitions of Peter (1 Peter 5:8) and James (James 4:7) regarding spiritual vigilance in resisting temptation, Paul also had something to say about it. After noting how the Israelites had succumbed to temptation in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-11), he warned the Corinthians: “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful . . . . When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (vv. 12-13). The apostle lists two examples of how the “way out” can sometimes involve fleeing. He says we’re to “flee from idolatry” (v. 14) and “sexual immorality” (6:18). The Holy Spirit helps us to succeed in overcoming temptation.
Today's Devotional After years of struggle and crying out in prayer, Frank quit drinking. He attributes his continued sobriety to God’s work in his life. But he also made some important changes. He no longer kept alcohol in the house, watched for warning signs in his thinking and moods, and was wary of certain situations. He leaned on God and knew not to leave an opening for temptation or sin.
“Be alert and of sober mind,” the apostle Peter warned. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Peter knew we needed to be watchful because the devil’s attacks are often unexpected—when it seems like our life couldn’t be better, or we think we’d never be tempted in a certain area.
James too warned his readers to submit to God and “resist the devil.” When we do, our enemy “will flee” (James 4:7). The best way to resist him is to stay close to God through prayer and time in Scripture. When we do, God comes near to us (v. 8) through His Spirit (Romans 5:5). James also offered this encouragement: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).
We all face challenging moments in life when we’re tempted and struggle. We can rest knowing that God wants us to succeed and overcome. He is with us in our troubles.
Reflect & Pray
When do you seem to be more susceptible to temptation ? How has God helped you in those times?
Dear God, please help me draw near to You instead of pulling away. I need Your daily guidance to keep me on the right path. By Alyson Kieda
务要谨慎！
所以，你们要顺服神。务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你们逃跑了。（雅各书 4:7）
今日经文：雅各书 4章1-10 节
今日洞见：关于要警醒抵挡属灵上的试探，除了彼得（彼得前书 5:8）和雅各（雅各书 4:7）都曾对此劝勉信徒之外，保罗也对此问题有所论述。他指出以色列人在旷野中如何屈服于试探（哥林多前书 10:1-11），并警告哥林多人：“自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒。你们所遇见的试探，无非是人所能受的。神是信实的，你们在受试探的时候，总要给你们开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住。”（12-13节）使徒列举了两个例子，说明上帝给的“出路”有时也包括逃避。他说，我们要“逃避偶像崇拜”（14节），要“逃避淫行”（6:18）。圣灵会帮助我们战胜试探。
今日灵修 经过多年的挣扎和祷告，弗兰克终于戒了酒。他将自己能够持续保持清醒，归功于上帝在他生命中的作为。同时，他也做出了一些重要的改变，比如他不再在家中存放酒，留意自己思想和情绪中的警示信号，并对某些情况保持警惕。他依靠上帝，并且知道不能给试探或罪恶留下任何可乘之机。
“务要警醒，谨慎自守，”使徒彼得警告说。“因为你们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人。”（彼得前书5:8）彼得知道我们需要警醒，因为魔鬼的攻击往往是再我们意料之外，往往在我们觉得生活再好不过时，或者认为自己永远不会在某个领域受到诱惑的时候它的攻击出现了。 雅各也告诫他的读者要顺服神，并且要“抵挡魔鬼”。当我们这样做的时候，我们的仇敌“就必逃跑”（雅各书 4:7）。
抵挡魔鬼的最好方法就是藉着祷告和研读圣经与神亲近。当我们祷告读经时，神就会藉着圣灵（罗马书 5:5）亲近我们（8节）。雅各也这样鼓励我们：“务要在上帝面前自卑，主就必使你们高升”（雅各书 4:10）。 我们每个人在生活中都会遇到挑战，会受到诱惑，也会挣扎。但是，我们可以安然面对，因为上帝希望我们成功，战胜一切。祂应许与我们同在，陪伴我们度过难关。
反思与祷告 你在怎样的情况下更容易受到诱惑？面对诱惑时，上帝是如何帮助你的？ 亲爱的上帝，请帮助我亲近您，而不是远离您。我需要您每日的指引，使我走在正确的道路上。——艾莉森·基达