Lesson 14 Spiritual Warfare II

Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

你 们 要 休 息 , 要 知 道 我 是 神 ! 我 必 在 外 邦 中 被 尊 崇 , 在 遍 地 上 也 被 尊 崇 . 诗篇46:10

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Identifying our Enemy and Identifying his Assaults

分辨我们的敌人和分辨他的攻击

Luke 13:11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all.

路加13:11有 一 个 女 人 被 鬼 附 着 , 病 了 十 八 年 , 腰 弯 得 一 点 直 不 起 来 .

  1. What had this evil spirit been allowed to do to this woman?

这个邪灵被允许对这个妇女做什么?

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Acts 16:16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.

使徒16:16後 来 , 我 们 往 那 祷 告 的 地 方 去 . 有 一 个 使 女 迎 着 面 来 , 他 被 巫 鬼 所 附 , 用 法 术 , 叫 他 主 人 们 大 得 财 利 . 17

  1. What had this evil spirit been allowed to do through this “slave girl”?

这个邪灵被允许通过这个“使女”做什么?

Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

罗马书8:15你 们 所 受 的 , 不 是 奴 仆 的 心 , 仍 旧 害 怕 ; 所 受 的 , 乃 是 儿 子 的 心 , 因 此 我 们 呼 叫 : 阿 爸 ! 父 !

  1. What is the difference between the “spirit of fear” and the “Spirit of sonship”?

“畏惧的心”和“儿子的心”有什么区别?

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2 Chronicles 18:19-22 And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?’ “One suggested this, and another that. 20 Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the Lord and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ”‘By what means?’ the Lord asked. 21 “‘I will go and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,’ he said. ”‘You will succeed in enticing him,’ said the Lord. ‘Go and do it.‘22 “So now the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The Lord has decreed disaster for you.”

历代记下18:19-22耶 和 华 说 : 谁 去 引 诱 以 色 列 王 亚 哈 上 基 列 的 拉 末 去 阵 亡 呢 ? 这 个 就 这 样 说 , 那 个 就 那 样 说 . 20随 後 , 有 一 个 神 灵 出 来 , 站 在 耶 和 华 面 前 说 : 我 去 引 诱 他 . 耶 和 华 问 他 说 : 你 用 何 法 呢 ? 21他 说 : 我 去 , 要 在 他 众 先 知 口 中 作 谎 言 的 灵 . 耶 和 华 说 : 这 样 , 你 必 能 引 诱 他 , 你 去 如 此 行 罢 ! 22现 在 耶 和 华 使 谎 言 的 灵 入 了 你 这 些 先 知 的 口 , 并 且 耶 和 华 已 经 命 定 降 祸 与 你 .

  1. Why did God allow a “lying spirit,” or an evil, fallen angle to go and deceive King Ahab? (circle the best answer)

为什么神允许一个“谎言的灵”,或一个邪灵,堕落天使去欺骗亚哈王?(圈出最佳答案)

a. Because King Ahab was faithful to God and his Word

因为亚哈王忠实于神和他的话。

b. Because King Ahab was a wicked and godless king over the people of Israel

因为亚哈王是个统治以色列民的邪恶、不敬虔的王。

· God still puts “lying spirits” into pastors and teachers of Christian churches but only as a result of their rejecting him and his Holy Word! God will not be mocked, and right now, there are many churches throughout the world that are mocking him and therefore are being rejected by God. There are churches today who teach that the Bible is not truly inspired by God; there are large church bodies today who accept homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle that can be god-pleasing; there are church bodies that accept evolution and deny God’s creation account in Genesis. God still sends “lying spirits” into them. But when people follow those lying spirits, remember what Paul says in his letter to the Thessalonians…

· 神仍然使“谎言的灵”进入基督教教会的牧师和教师里面,但只是因为他们拒绝他和他圣洁的话语!神不能被嘲笑,而现在,整个世界有很多教会在嘲笑神,因此他们正被神弃绝;今天有些教会教导圣经不是真正神所默示的。有些大的教会团体接受同性恋是另一种也可以蒙神喜悦的生活方式;还有些教会团体接受进化论,并否定神在创世纪中创造万物的记载。神仍然向他们差遣“谎言的灵”.但当人们跟随这些“谎言的灵”时,记住保罗给帖撒罗尼迦教会的信中所说的话…

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders,10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

帖撒罗尼迦后书2:9-12这 不 法 的 人 来 , 是 照 撒 但 的 运 动 , 行 各 样 的 异 能 、 神 迹 , 和 一 切 虚 假 的 奇 事 , 10并 且 在 那 沉 沦 的 人 身 上 行 各 样 出 於 不 义 的 诡 诈 ; 因 他 们 不 领 受 爱 真 理 的 心 , 使 他 们 得 救 . 11故 此 , 神 就 给 他 们 一 个 生 发 错 误 的 心 , 叫 他 们 信 从 虚 谎 , 12使 一 切 不 信 真 理 、 倒 喜 爱 不 义 的 人 都 被 定 罪 .

Follow the progression…

顺着这个进程…

Those who are deceived, according to verse 10, are already Perishing

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They perish because they refused to love the… Truth

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Because they rejected God’s truth, God sends them a… Powerful Delusion

因为他们拒绝神的真理,神使他们陷入极大骗局

Ultimately they are condemned to hell because they did not Believe the truth

最后他们被定罪下地狱因为他们不相信真理

Job 1:6,7 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.”

约伯记1:6,7 有 一 天 , 神 的 众 子 来 侍 立 在 耶 和 华 面 前 , 撒 但 也 来 在 其 中 . 7耶 和 华 问 撒 但 说 : 「 你 从 哪 里 来 ? 」 撒 但 回 答 说 : 「 我 从 地 上 走 来 走 去 , 往 返 而 来 . 」

· Satan not only roams this earth, but also goes before God’s throne frequently to seek permission to lure souls further away from God. Read the following…

· 撒旦不仅在世上游荡,而且经常到神的宝座前寻求允许去诱惑远离神的灵魂。阅读以下经文…

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Luke 22:31-33 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”

路加22:31-33主 又 说 : 西 门 ! 西 门 ! 撒 但 想 要 得 着 你 们 , 好 筛 你 们 像 筛 麦 子 一 样 ; 32但 我 已 经 为 你 祈 求 , 叫 你 不 至 於 失 了 信 心 , 你 回 头 以 後 , 要 坚 固 你 的 弟 兄 . 33彼 得 说 : 主 阿 , 我 就 是 同 你 下 监 , 同 你 受 死 , 也 是 甘 心 !

  1. What did Jesus know that Simon didn’t know?

什么事耶稣知道但西门不知道?

  1. What did Satan know that Simon Peter didn’t know? (Look at verse 33)

什么事撒旦知道但西门彼得不知道?(参看33节)

Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.

For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

启示录12:10我 听 见 在 天 上 有 大 声 音 说 : 我 神 的 救 恩 、 能 力 、 国 度 、 并 他 基 督 的 权 柄 , 现 在 都 来 到 了 ! 因 为 那 在 我 们 神 面 前 昼 夜 控 告 我 们 弟 兄 的 , 已 经 被 摔 下 去 了 .

· Just because we don’t visibly see Satan, doesn’t mean he is not there. He is called the ”ruler of the kingdom of the air,“ in Ephesians 2:2. He is all around us, and he seeks our demise and to overcome us. Many in the Bible were called by God, but turned their backs on him and instead followed the influence of Satan. Read the following…

· 我们眼睛虽然看不见撒旦,但并不意味着他不存在。在以弗所书2:2,他被称为”空中掌权者的首领,“.他在我们周围,寻找消灭和战胜我们的机会。圣经里很多人被神呼召,却背离神去跟随撒旦的势力。阅读以下经文…

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John 13:26,27 Jesus answered, ”It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.“ Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

约翰13:26,27 耶 稣 回 答 说 : 我 蘸 一 点 饼 给 谁 , 就 是 谁 . 耶 稣 就 蘸 了 一 点 饼 , 递 给 加 略 人 西 门 的 儿 子 犹 大 . 27他 吃 了 以 後 , 撒 但 就 入 了 他 的 心 .

· Satan had to wait for God to allow him to enter Judas and not one moment sooner. Earlier in our Lord’s ministry we are told that Judas used to help himself to the money that was collected by the disciples and so greed was the initial sin that allowed Satan to come in and overpower Judas at the Last Supper.

· 撒旦不得不等到神允许才能进入犹大心里,不会提早半刻。在主早期的事工中,我们知道犹大惯于从使徒积攒的钱财中为自己谋益,因此贪婪是允许撒旦在主的晚餐上入犹大的心和控制犹大的起始罪。

Acts 5:3,4 Then Peter said, ”Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.“

使徒5:3,4彼 得 说 : 亚 拿 尼 亚 ! 为 甚 麽 撒 但 充 满 了 你 的 心 , 叫 你 欺 哄 圣 灵 , 把 田 地 的 价 银 私 自 留 下 几 分 呢 ? 4田 地 还 没 有 卖 , 不 是 你 自 己 的 麽 ? 既 卖 了 , 价 银 不 是 你 作 主 麽 ? 你 怎 麽 心 里 起 这 意 念 呢 ? 你 不 是 欺 哄 人 , 是 欺 哄 神 了 .

  1. Who had filled the heart Ananias?

谁充满了亚 拿 尼 亚的心?

· Because of Satan’s influence through the various vices of this world, we hear the following warnings from both Jesus and the apostles. Read the following…

· 因为撒旦的势力遍及这个世上的各种罪恶,我们听到耶稣和使徒在以下经文中的警告。阅读以下经文…

Matthew 6:31-33 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

马太福音6:31-33所 以 , 不 要 忧 虑 说 : 吃 甚 麽 ? 喝 甚 麽 ? 穿 甚 麽 ? 32这 都 是 外 邦 人 所 求 的 , 你 们 需 用 的 这 一 切 东 西 , 你 们 的 天 父 是 知 道 的 . 33你 们 要 先 求 他 的 国 和 他 的 义 , 这 些 东 西 都 要 加 给 你 们 了 .

· Pagans run after temporal pleasures; Christians seek eternal pleasures

· 异教徒追逐暂时的快乐;基督徒寻求永恒的快乐。

1 Corinthians 10:12,13 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

哥林多前书10:12,13所 以 , 自 己 以 为 站 得 稳 的 , 须 要 谨 慎 , 免 得 跌 倒 . 13你 们 所 遇 见 的 试 探 , 无 非 是 人 所 能 受 的 . 神 是 信 实 的 , 必 不 叫 你 们 受 试 探 过 於 所 能 受 的 ; 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 .

· Christians have a habit of underestimating the devil and whenever they do, he is there to watch us fall into sin and to accuse us before God. As we mature in our faith, we will seek refuge from the devil in God’s Word more and more so that we are able to stand our ground against him and defend ourselves through the powerful Word of God.

· 基督徒有低估魔鬼的习惯,当他们那样做时,魔鬼就在那监视我们犯罪,并在神面前控告我们。当我们信心成熟,我们越来越可以在神的话语里寻求躲避魔鬼的避难所,以便我们能抵抗他且站 立 得 住,并籍着神大能的话语保护自己。

1 Peter 5:8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

彼得前书5:8,9务 要 谨 守 , 儆 醒 . 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 . 9你 们 要 用 坚 固 的 信 心 抵 挡 他 , 因 为 知 道 你 们 在 世 上 的 众 弟 兄 也 是 经 历 这 样 的 苦 难 .

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Satan prowls around the church, just like he was prowling around Job, Peter, and several others mentioned in the Bible. He seeks to spend an eternity with us in hell. With an exception of some Biblical records that share with us demonic

possession, Satan primarily works invisibly as the overwhelming passages of Scripture indicate. He is identified as a ”ruler“ of this world and no Christian ought to underestimate his power and influence.

撒旦围着教会转悠,就像他围着约伯,彼得和圣经中提到的其他几个人转悠。他试图让我们和他永远呆在地狱。除了圣经中向我们讲到邪灵附体的情况外,圣经中绝大部分经文显示撒旦主要是隐匿地工作。他被认为是世上的”统治者“ .基督徒绝不应该低估他的能量和势力。

James 1:13-15 When tempted, no one should say, ”God is tempting me.“ For God

cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

雅各书1:13-15人 被 试 探 , 不 可 说 : 「 我 是 被 神 试 探 」 ; 因 为 神 不 能 被 恶 试 探 , 他 也 不 试 探 人 . 14但 各 人 被 试 探 , 乃 是 被 自 己 的 私 欲 牵 引 诱 惑 的 . 15私 欲 既 怀 了 胎 , 就 生 出 罪 来 ; 罪 既 长 成 , 就 生 出 死 来 .

  1. Explain the difference between God tempting us and God allowing us to be tempted by the devil.

解释神试探我们和神允许我们被魔鬼试探两者间的区别。

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The gates of Hell shall not prevail

阴 间 的 权 柄不能获胜

Matthew 16:17,18 Jesus replied, ”Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.“

马太16:17,18耶 稣 对 他 说 : 西 门 巴 约 拿 , 你 是 有 福 的 ! 因 为 这 不 是 属 血 肉 的 指 示 你 的 , 乃 是 我 在 天 上 的 父 指 示 的 . 18我 还 告 诉 你 , 你 是 彼 得 , 我 要 把 我 的 教 会 建 造 在 这 磐 石 上 ; 阴 间 的 权 柄 ( 权 柄 : 原 文 是 门 ) , 不 能 胜 过 他 .

  1. What is the ”rock“ that Jesus was going to build his church upon?

耶稣要把教会建造在这”磐石“上,这 ”磐石“是什么?

  1. What won’t the Kingdom of Hell be able to overcome?

地狱的王国不能胜过什么?

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The way in which a Christian is

· certain to lose the spiritual battle against the devil is when he begins to think the battle is his battle to fight. He will lose every time. God fought the war for us on the cross of Calvary and he insists on continuing the fight for us through the precious promises that he lays before us in his Holy Word. Jesus told Peter the night he was betrayed that before the cock crowed twice he would disown

him 3 times, but Peter insisted that even if all had fallen away on account of Jesus, that he never would. So long as Peter tried to fight the battle on his own…he lost, every time! Remember when he walked on the water and stopped looking in faith to Jesus? He sank like a ton of bricks! The same is true with us. So long as we trust in our own strength to defeat the devil, we lose every time.

当基督徒开始认为属灵的争战是他自己和魔鬼交战时,他一定会败给魔鬼。而且他每次都会失败。神在髑髅地的十字架上为我们而战,并且他通过神圣的话语给我们宝贵的应许他将继续为我们而战。耶稣在自己被出卖的那一晚告诉彼得鸡叫两遍之前他将三次不认主。但彼得坚决说虽然众人为耶稣的缘故跌倒,他欲永不跌倒。然而,只要彼得试图独自打这场仗…他就失败,每次都如此!还记得当他在水上行走,没有仰望耶稣信心胆怯的情景吗?他像一吨重的砖块一样沉下去!对我们来说也一样。只要我们依靠自己的力量去打败魔鬼,我们每一次都输。

Consider the following Bible stories and how God did the fighting for his people…

思考以下的圣经故事,以及神怎样为他的子民而战…

At the battle in the Garden of Eden when man sinned (Genesis 3:15)

在伊甸园的争战中,当人犯罪时(创世纪3:15)

In Egypt when God’s people were oppressed (Exodus 12)

在埃及,当神的子民被压迫时(出埃及记)

At Jericho when pagans occupied the Promised Land (Joshua 6)

在耶利哥,当异教徒占领了应许之地时(约书亚6章)

During Hezekiah’s reign – 185,000 dead Assyrians outside of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35)

希西家统治期间—— 耶路撒冷城外有185,000 具亚述人死尸(列王记下19:35)

On the cross – ”It is finished“ (John 19:30)

十字架上——”成了“(约翰19:30)

Don’t fight but rather defend

不要交战而要防御

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

以弗所书6:10我 还 有 末 了 的 话 : 你 们 要 靠 着 主 , 倚 赖 他 的 大 能 大 力 作 刚 强 的 人 .

  1. So long as man roams the earth, there is always what possibility about his future (If they don’t remain in the Lord)?

只要人在世上徘徊,他的未来总会发生什么可能(如果他们不持守在主里面)?

  1. How does a Christian remain in God’s Almighty power?

一个基督徒怎样保持在神的大 能 大 力之中?

Luke 11:28 Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it

路加11:28 耶 稣 说 : 是 , 却 还 不 如 听 神 之 道 而 遵 守 的 人 有 福 .

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ”This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.“25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ”This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.“ 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

哥林多前书11:23-26 我 当 日 传 给 你 们 的 , 原 是 从 主 领 受 的 , 就 是 主 耶 稣 被 卖 的 那 一 夜 , 拿 起 饼 来 , 24祝 谢 了 , 就 擘 开 , 说 : 这 是 我 的 身 体 , 为 你 们 舍 ( 有 古 卷 : 擘 开 ) 的 , 你 们 应 当 如 此 行 , 为 的 是 记 念 我 . 25饭 後 , 也 照 样 拿 起 杯 来 , 说 : 这 杯 是 用 我 的 血 所 立 的 新 约 , 你 们 每 逢 喝 的 时 候 , 要 如 此 行 , 为 的 是 记 念 我 . 26你 们 每 逢 吃 这 饼 , 喝 这 杯 , 是 表 明 主 的 死 , 直 等 到 他 来 .

· The gospel is proclaimed in the Word of God and the gospel is proclaimed in Holy Communion. Through these Means of Grace, God has provided the sinner a channel through which he might remain in God’s Almighty power.

· 福音在神的话语里显明,福音在圣餐里显明。通过这些恩典的途径,神已经给罪人提供一个使他可以保持在神的大 能 大 力中的途径。

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Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

以弗所书6:11 要 穿 戴 神 所 赐 的 全 副 军 装 , 就 能 抵 挡 魔 鬼 的 诡 计 .

· The devil’s schemes are many. If he can’t get us to fall into a great and bold sin that might destroy our faith, he will try to get us to compromise our doctrinal position because of the worldly influence that may exist even in our own church. ”For a little leaven,“ Paul writes, ”works through the whole batch of dough“ (Galatians 5:9)。 But the Lord in his grace, has prepared armor for us, which will be described in the verses ahead.

· 魔鬼有很多阴谋。如果他没能使我们堕入摧毁我们信心的大罪的话,他会试图使我们因为自己教会中存在的世俗影响而在教义的立场上让步。”一点面酵“保罗写道,”能使全团都发起来“(加拉太书5:9)。但是主因着他的恩典,已经为我们准备了盔甲,在下面的经文中将进行描述。

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

以弗所书6:12因 我 们 并 不 是 与 属 血 气 的 争 战 ( 原 文 作 摔 跤 ; 下 同 ) , 乃 是 与 那 些 执 政 的 、 掌 权 的 、 管 辖 这 幽 暗 世 界 的 , 以 及 天 空 属 灵 气 的 恶 魔 争 战 .

  1. Who is NOT the church’s enemy?

谁不是教会的敌人?

  1. What kind of forces does Paul say that we are up against?

保罗说我们要起来和哪种势力争战?

  1. Who are the ”rulers“ and ”authorities“ that the apostle Paul describes in verse 12? (Remember – it’s not flesh and blood)

谁是使徒保罗在12节中描述的”掌权的“”执政的“?(记住——不 是 属 血 气 的)

· Because Paul says our struggle is not against αιμα και σαρκα, that is ”flesh and blood,“ and because he pictures us Christians in a war, then we can be assured that life and death are on the line in this spiritual battle, which is why Paul goes back to the advice he gives in verse 11 when he states…

· 因为保罗说我们不是与αιμα και σαρκα争 战,αιμα και σαρκα是指”血气。“因为他描述我们基督徒处在一场战争中,而且使我们确信这是一场生死攸关的属灵争战,这就是为什么保罗回到11节的忠告当他说…

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

以弗所书6:13所 以 , 要 拿 起 神 所 赐 的 全 副 军 装 , 好 在 磨 难 的 日 子 抵 挡 仇 敌 , 并 且 成 就 了 一 切 , 还 能 站 立 得 住 .

· Jesus said that the world would become increasingly worse and that there would be a gross falling away from his Word before the end. This is certainly happening today as we see false teaching and false teachers leading millions and millions astray from the truth of the gospel. Jesus compared Judgment Day to the time-period of Noah and the Ark (Matthew 24:37)。 So while Satan’s influence will certainly be seen in the world, let’s not forget his influence in the visible church because we can see it everywhere.

· 耶稣说这个世界将变得愈加败坏,在末日前将有大群人背离他的话。今天这些正在发生,因为我们看到假教导和假教师们带领成千上万的人偏离福音的真理而误入歧途。耶稣把审判日比作诺亚方舟时期(马太24:37)。 因此当撒旦的影响必然在这个世界上出现时,让我们别忘了他在有形教会中的影响,因为我们到处可见。

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Ephesians 6:14-17 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

以弗所书6:14-17 所 以 要 站 稳 了 , 用 真 理 当 作 带 子 束 腰 , 用 公 义 当 作 护 心 镜 遮 胸 , 15又 用 平 安 的 福 音 当 作 预 备 走 路 的 鞋 穿 在 脚 上 . 16此 外 , 又 拿 着 信 德 当 作 ? 牌 , 可 以 灭 尽 那 恶 者 一 切 的 火 箭 ; 17并 戴 上 救 恩 的 头 盔 , 拿 着 圣 灵 的 宝 剑 , 就 是 神 的 道 ;

Roman Soldier in Full Armor

Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians while sitting in a jail cell at Rome. As he pictures the very soldiers he would be seeing regularly, he uses their outfits to describe the spiritual outfit of a Christian

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当保罗在罗马蹲监狱时给以弗所教会写了这封信。他描述这些他经常见到的士兵,他用他们的全套装备来形容基督徒属灵的装备。

· That items that Paul lists as metaphors to the Christian faith are not things that come from within the Christian, but rather are outside of the Christian as they come from God. And the items that the Christian receives from God are listed by Paul in the order in which the Roman soldier would have dressed himself for war.

· 保罗列举的装备作为基督徒信心的比喻,不是来自基督徒里面,而是武装在基督徒外面的,因为他们来自于神。并且基督徒从神领受的这些装备是保罗按照罗马士兵整装出战的顺序列举的。

Roman Belt – A soldier who was preparing for battle would gird up his tunic into this belt so that he would be ready to run or move quickly. The belt was also fitted with a scabbard or sheath to secure his sword to his side. In the front it had leather or metal straps attached to help protect the front of the soldier’s lower body.

罗马腰带——一个准备出征的士兵会给战服束上腰带好使他行动迅速。这腰带在腰旁也佩以保护剑的剑鞘或护套。腰带前面系有皮革或金属吊带来保护士兵下身的前方。

For the Christian, the Belt of Truth is God’s Holy Word, which holds everything together for him. If he only slightly knows what the Bible says and is content with limited knowledge of the Scriptures, he will be overcome by the trickery of the devil. For the devil is called by Jesus a ”liar and the father of lies“ (John 8:44)。 The only thing that can expose his lies and keep us safe is the truth of God’s Word.

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Breastplate – Police officers wear bullet proof vests to protect themselves from bad people; soldiers in Roman days wore breastplates to protect their vital organs from a sword in hand to hand combat or from arrows flying at them. The breastplate was attached to the belt by leather thongs that passed through rings on the bottom to keep it solidly attached.

对基督徒来说,真理的腰带就是神圣洁的话语,这话语保守万物使他得益。如果他只略微知道神的话并满足于对圣经的有限知识,他将被魔鬼的诡计战胜,因为耶稣称魔鬼是”说谎的,并且是说谎之人的父’(约翰John 8:44)。 唯一能揭露他的谎言并使我们安全的就是神话语的真理。

护心镜——警官穿着防弹背心保护自己免受坏人伤害;罗马时代的士兵穿着护心镜保护他们在搏击交战中身体

的重要器官免遭刀剑或射箭的伤害。护心镜和腰带被穿过底部环扣的皮带束缚在一起,从而使其牢固相连。

For the Christian, the Breastplate of Righteousness is that righteousness that has been imputed to us through Jesus, by faith. So often, Satan’s cunning schemes cause us to question our validity to be God’s children and a part of God’s royal family. Faith in Jesus that has come to us through the truth of the gospel is the cause of righteousness, but Satan tries to disarm this breastplate from us by trying to get us to second guess our armor. In his letter to the Romans, Paul asks a series of rhetorical questions (questions that have an obvious answer to them) to remind believers that this righteous plate has been given to us through the work of Jesus.

对基督徒来说,公义的护心镜就是通过耶稣,籍着信心将公义注入我们身上。撒旦狡诈的阴谋常常导致我们质疑自己是否真的是神的儿女和成为神家族一员。籍着福音的真理带给我们对耶稣的信心让我们称义,但是撒旦试图让我们质疑我们的装备来解除这个护心镜。保罗在给罗马教会的书信中以一系列的反问句(问中有答)提问,提醒信徒这个正义的护心镜籍着耶稣的救赎大业已经赐给我们。

Romans 8:33,34 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.“

罗马书8:33,34谁 能 控 告 神 所 拣 选 的 人 呢 ? 有 神 称 他 们 为 义 了 ( 或 作 : 是 称 他 们 为 义 的 神 麽 ) 34谁 能 定 他 们 的 罪 呢 ? 有 基 督 耶 稣 已 经 死 了 , 而 且 从 死 里 复 活 , 现 今 在 神 的 右 边 , 也 替 我 们 祈 求 ( 有 基 督 . . . . 或 作 是 已 经 死 了 , 而 且 从 死 里 复 活 , 现 今 在 神 的 右 边 , 也 替 我 们 祈 求 的 基 督 耶 稣 麽 )

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The Roman footwear – This was the military boot that a Roman soldier wore, which was called caligae, something we might refer to today as sandals. Their footwear was constructed to be long lasting and very endurable since they were gone for long periods of time and used frequently for running either after the enemy or away from the enemy.

罗马人的军鞋——这是罗马士兵穿的军靴,被称之为战靴,我们今天可能认为是凉鞋。他们军鞋的结构为了经久耐用而设计,因为鞋要经得起很长时间的磨损,并且得经常追踪敌人或逃离敌人。

Christian’s spiritual footwear – The apostle Paul quotes Isaiah (Romans 10:15) when he speaks of the Christian’s witness of the gospel to the end of the earth – ”How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!“ God has equipped his body of believers with spiritual sandals that will not wear out or tire from spreading the gospel of peace from one end of the earth to the other end.

基督徒属灵的战靴——使徒保罗在谈到基督徒传福音到地极的见证时引用以赛亚的话(罗马书10:15)

”报福音传佳信的人,他们的脚踪何等佳美!

神已经用属灵的军鞋来装备信徒的身体,这鞋既不会磨损也不会使人在天涯海角传播平安的福音途中疲劳。

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The Roman Shield – During Roman days, this was called a scutum. The shield was very large as the picture illustrates. There shield was a rectangular shield that was slightly curved at the corners and made of two planks. And where these two planks came together, there was a large metal knob, known as a “boss.” The shield was stretched with calf-skin and the upper and lower rims of the shield were strengthened by an iron edging, which would protect the shield during the course of multiple battles that would be fought. Soldiers would soak their shields in water so that when flaming arrows would descend upon them, their watery shields made out of supple leather would quickly extinguish the flames coming at them.

罗马盾牌——在罗马时代,这被称为长形盾。盾牌如图所示非常巨大。长方形,四周略微弯曲,由两块厚木板制成。在两块木板相接处有个巨大的金属旋钮,就是“机关”.盾牌用小牛皮绷紧,上下镶有铁边加固,可以在以后的无数战役中保护盾牌。士兵将把盾牌浸在水中,这样当射过来的燃烧的箭落在上面时,用浸过水的外面是软皮革的盾牌很快就熄灭袭击他们的火焰。

Shield of Faith – This armor was first given to us at Baptism and coincidentally, water, connected to the Word of God has saved us as Paul writes to Titus. “God our Savior saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5-7)。

信心的盾牌——这个装备最初在受洗时赐给我们,同时,水与神的话语相结合拯救我们,正如保罗写给提多的信中所说。“ 他 便 救 了 我 們 ; 並不 是 因 我 們 自 己 所 行 的 義 , 乃 是 照 他 的 憐 憫 , 藉 著 重 生 的 洗 和 聖 靈 的 更 新 .6 聖 靈 就 是 神 藉 著 耶 穌 基 督 我 們 救 主 厚 厚 澆 灌 在 我 們 身 上 的,7 好 叫 我 們 因 他 的 恩 得 稱 為 義 , 可 以 憑 著 永 生的 盼 望 成 為 後 嗣 . ( 或 作 : 可 以 憑 著 盼 望 承 受 永 生 ) .(提多书3:5-7)。

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The Roman Helmet – This also protects another vital organ on the Roman soldier – his brain.

罗马头盔——这也是用于保护罗马士兵身上另一重要器官——他的大脑。

The Helmet of Salvation – The battle of our soul begins in the mind. Scripture states, ”Anyone who hates his brother is guilty of murder“ (1 John 3:15)。 Jesus states, ”Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart“ (Matthew 5:28)。 For this reason Paul states, ”Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things…And the God of peace will be with you“ (Philippians 4:8,9)。

救恩的头盔——我们灵魂的争战始于我们的思想。圣经说,” 凡 恨 他 弟 兄 的 , 就是 杀 人 的 ; 你 们 晓 得 凡 杀 人 的 , 没 有 永 生 存 在 他 里 面 .(约翰一书3:15)。耶稣说,“ 只 是 我 告 诉 你 们 , 凡 看 见 妇 女 就 动 淫 念 的 , 这 人 心 里 已 经 与 他 犯 奸 淫 了 .”(马太5:28)。因为这个原因,保罗说,“弟 兄 们 , 我 还 有 未 尽 的 话 : 凡 是 真 实 的 、 可 敬 的 、 公 义 的 、 清 洁 的 、 可 爱 的 、 有 美 名 的, 若 有 甚 麽 德 行 , 若 有 甚 麽 称 赞 , 这 些 事 你 们 都 要 思 念 …赐 平 安 的 神 就 必 与 你 们 同 在”(腓立比书4:8,9)

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Roman Sword – The Roman sword is self-explanatory – it was used to kill and destroy the enemy.

罗马人的剑——罗马人的剑其意自明——它用于消灭敌人。

Sword of the Spirit – Remember how Jesus wielded the sword of the Spirit in the wilderness? He used the Word of God for each and every temptation that the devil confronted him with. And eventually the enemy who was prowling around Jesus left him for an opportune time to come back. So it is with us, the Word is a powerful sword to be used against the cunning schemes of the devil. The writer to the Hebrews states, “For the word of God is living and active.

Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12)。 It can’t be used by us, if it’s not known by us. Therefore, to use the Sword of the Spirit, the Christian must know the Word of God very well. That way, we will be able to “resist the devil,” and when we resist the devil, then the devil “will flee from us” (James 4:7)。

圣灵的宝剑——记得耶稣怎样在旷野中挥舞圣灵的剑吗?魔鬼让他面对的每个诱惑他都运用神的话语反击。最后在耶稣身旁徘徊的魔鬼离开了他,然后又伺机再回来。因此,他对我们也如此,神的话是一把有力的宝剑来对付魔鬼狡猾的阴谋。希伯来书的作者说,“神 的 道 是 活 泼 的 , 是 有 功 效 的 , 比 一 切 两 刃 的 剑 更 快 , 甚 至 魂 与 灵 , 骨 节 与 骨 髓 , 都 能 刺 入 、 剖 开 , 连 心 中 的 思 念 和 主 意 都 能 辨 明 .(希伯来书4:12) 如果我们不明白神的道,我们就不会使用它。因此要使用圣灵的宝剑,基督徒一定得非常明白神的道。这样,我们才能”抵挡魔鬼,“当我们抵挡魔鬼时,魔鬼”将离开我们逃跑“(雅各书4:7)

The defense of the Christian is directly tied to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us make every effort as Christians to remain in the Word so that Christ might remain in us and fight for us! For he desires to fight on our behalf.

基督徒的防御直接依赖于我们的主耶稣基督的福音。因此,让我们作为基督徒极尽全力持守在神的话语中,好叫基督能在我们里面为我们而战!因为他愿意代表我们战斗。

最后更新于 2013年6月27日 星期四 15:52