家庭查经：《魔鬼家书》给基督徒的属灵警醒 Family Bible Study: Spiritual Warnings from
2026-08-12开场经文：马太福音 4:1–11
Opening Scripture: Matthew 4:1–11
建议完整读 1–11 节，不要只读其中几节。里面包含三次试探和基督三次用神的话回应。
第一次试探：肉体需要
“那试探人的进前来，对他说：‘你若是神的儿子，可以吩咐这些石头变成食物。’耶稣却回答说：‘经上记着说：人活着，不是单靠食物，乃是靠神口里所出的一切话。’”
——马太福音 4:3–4
“The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’ Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
— Matthew 4:3–4
这里特别值得注意。
This is especially important.
魔鬼利用耶稣真实的饥饿来试探祂。
The devil used Jesus’ real hunger to tempt Him.
人的需要本身不一定是罪，但是撒但可以利用人的需要，引诱人用错误的方法满足需要。
Human needs are not necessarily sinful, but Satan can use our needs to tempt us to satisfy them in sinful ways.
这和《魔鬼家书》非常容易连接起来。
This connects very well with The Screwtape Letters.
第二次试探：试探神
“魔鬼就带他进了圣城，叫他站在殿顶上，对他说：‘你若是神的儿子，可以跳下去，因为经上记着说：主要为你吩咐他的使者用手托着你，免得你的脚碰在石头上。’耶稣对他说：‘经上又记着说：不可试探主你的神。’”
——马太福音 4:5–7
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you…’ Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
— Matthew 4:5–7
这里有一个对今晚主题特别重要的地方：
魔鬼也会引用圣经。
The devil can also quote Scripture.
问题不是“有没有引用圣经”。
The question is not only, “Did someone quote the Bible?”
问题是：
The question is:
有没有正确理解圣经？
Is Scripture being understood correctly?
有没有断章取义？
Is Scripture being taken out of context?
所以基督徒不能因为一个人不断引用经文，就自动认为他的教导一定正确。
So Christians should not automatically believe that a teaching is correct simply because someone quotes many Bible verses.
这也正好提醒我们：包括《魔鬼家书》在内，一切人的著作都必须接受整本圣经的检验。
This also reminds us: every human book, including The Screwtape Letters, must be tested by the whole teaching of Scripture.
第三次试探：用敬拜交换世界
“魔鬼又带他上了一座最高的山，将世上的万国与万国的荣华都指给他看，对他说：‘你若俯伏拜我，我就把这一切都赐给你。’耶稣说：‘撒但，退去吧！因为经上记着说：当拜主你的神，单要事奉他。’”
——马太福音 4:8–10
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
— Matthew 4:8–10
这次试探触及一个非常根本的问题：
This temptation touches a very basic issue:
你到底敬拜谁？
Whom do you worship?
撒但把世界的荣耀摆在基督面前。
Satan placed the glory of the world before Christ.
今天摆在我们面前的可能是钱、事业、成功、享受、权力、名声，甚至某些本来很好的东西。
Today, what is placed before us may be money, career, success, pleasure, power, reputation, or even things that are good in themselves.
问题是：
The question is:
这些东西有没有开始占据只有神应该占据的位置？
Have these things begun to take the place that belongs to God alone?
这就可以直接连接你后面第九部分的主题：
This connects directly to Part 9 of tonight’s study:
“好东西也可能成为偶像。”
“Even good things can become idols.”
然后一定读最后一节
“于是魔鬼离了耶稣，有天使来伺候他。”
——马太福音 4:11
“Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”
— Matthew 4:11
这里可以作为开场的转折。
This can be the turning point of the introduction.
然后你可以很简单地解释：
耶稣面对真实的试探。
Jesus faced real temptation.
祂没有与撒但讨论撒但的哲学。
He did not debate Satan’s philosophy.
祂一次又一次说：“经上记着说。”
Again and again, He said, “It is written.”
因此今晚我们讨论《魔鬼家书》，目的不是让我们对魔鬼产生好奇。
So tonight, we discuss The Screwtape Letters not because we want to become curious about the devil.
也不是为了研究魔鬼到底有多聪明。
It is not to study how clever the devil is.
我们的目的，是借着圣经认识试探，借着神的话抵挡试探，并且更加依靠基督。
Our purpose is to understand temptation through Scripture, resist temptation through God’s Word, and depend more fully on Christ.
家庭查经：《魔鬼家书》给基督徒的属灵警醒
Family Bible Study: Spiritual Warnings from
The Screwtape Letters
开场说明
Opening
今晚我们不是把《魔鬼家书》当作圣经来学习。
Tonight, we are not studying The Screwtape Letters as if it were the Bible.
《魔鬼家书》只是一本基督教文学作品。
The Screwtape Letters is only a Christian literary work.
我们首先读神的话。
We will first read God’s Word.
然后我们再看看 C. S. Lewis 所描写的魔鬼策略，可以怎样提醒我们警醒。
Then we will see how C. S. Lewis’s description of demonic strategies can remind us to be watchful.
圣经是真理的标准。
The Bible is our standard of truth.
人的书只能帮助我们思考，却必须接受圣经的检验。
Human books can help us think, but they must always be tested by the Bible.
第一部分：最大的危险，常常是慢慢远离神
Part 1: A Great Danger Is Slowly Drifting Away from God
请先读：希伯来书 2:1
First Read: Hebrews 2:1
“所以，我们当越发郑重所听见的道理，恐怕我们随流失去。”
“So we must be more careful to follow what we were taught. Then we will not drift away from the truth.”
再读：希伯来书 3:12–13
Also Read: Hebrews 3:12–13
“弟兄们，你们要谨慎，免得你们中间或有人存着不信的恶心，把永生神离弃了。总要趁着还有今日，天天彼此相劝，免得你们中间有人被罪迷惑，心里就刚硬了。”
“Be careful, brothers and sisters. Make sure none of you has an evil and unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. Encourage each other every day, while it is still called ‘today,’ so that none of you becomes hard because of sin’s deception.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
圣经这里说的危险，不一定是一个人突然公开否认基督。
The danger here is not always that a person suddenly and openly rejects Christ.
很多时候，是一点一点地“随流失去”。
Many times, a person slowly “drifts away.”
今天少祷告一点。
We pray a little less today.
明天少读一点圣经。
We read a little less Bible tomorrow.
后来因为忙，就停止家庭敬拜。
Later, because we are busy, we stop family worship.
再后来，我们甚至已经习惯了没有神的话的生活。
Later still, we become used to living without God’s Word.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
Lewis 描写的魔鬼往往不是要求人马上犯一个惊天大罪。
The demons in Lewis’s book do not always try to make a person commit a terrible sin immediately.
他们更喜欢让一个人一点一点远离神。
They prefer to lead a person away from God little by little.
所以我们要警醒：
So we should be watchful:
最危险的属灵退后，常常是我们自己都没有发现的退后。
The most dangerous spiritual decline is often the decline that we do not notice ourselves.
第二部分：魔鬼喜欢让我们忙到没有时间亲近神
Part 2: The Devil Likes to Keep Us Too Busy for God
请先读：路加福音 10:38–42
First Read: Luke 10:38–42
特别注意 41–42 节：
Pay special attention to verses 41–42:
“耶稣回答说：‘马大！马大！你为许多的事思虑烦扰，但是不可少的只有一件；马利亚已经选择那上好的福分，是不能夺去的。’”
“Jesus answered, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
再读：马可福音 4:18–19
Also Read: Mark 4:18–19
“还有那撒在荆棘里的，就是人听了道，后来有世上的思虑、钱财的迷惑和别样的私欲进来，把道挤住了，就不能结实。”
“Others are like seed planted among thorns. They hear the word, but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
工作不是罪。
Work is not a sin.
赚钱不是罪。
Making money is not a sin.
照顾家庭不是罪。
Taking care of the family is not a sin.
做事工也不是罪。
Doing ministry is not a sin.
但是，好事情也可能把更重要的事情挤出去。
But even good things can push more important things out of our lives.
马大甚至是在服事耶稣。
Martha was even serving Jesus.
但是她已经忙到失去了正确的中心。
But she became so busy that she lost the right center.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
魔鬼不一定非要让一个基督徒爱上罪。
The devil does not always need to make a Christian love sin.
有时候，只要让他忙到忘记神，就已经非常有效。
Sometimes it is enough to keep him so busy that he forgets God.
所以我们不应该只问：
So we should not only ask:
“这件事情是不是罪？”
“Is this thing sinful?”
我们也应该问：
We should also ask:
“这件事情是不是正在挤掉我生命中更重要的事情？”
“Is this thing pushing something more important out of my life?”
第三部分：不要一直把顺服推到“以后”
Part 3: Do Not Keep Delaying Obedience until “Later”
请先读：马太福音 6:33–34
First Read: Matthew 6:33–34
“你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。所以，不要为明天忧虑，因为明天自有明天的忧虑；一天的难处一天当就够了。”
“But seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
再读：雅各书 4:13–15
Also Read: James 4:13–15
“嗐！你们有话说：‘今天、明天我们要往某城里去，在那里住一年，做买卖得利。’其实明天如何，你们还不知道。你们的生命是什么呢？你们原来是一片云雾，出现少时就不见了。你们只当说：‘主若愿意，我们就可以活着，也可以做这事，或做那事。’”
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this city, stay there a year, do business and make money.’ You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. Your life is like a mist. You should say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’”
简要解释
Short Explanation
我们很容易告诉自己：
We easily tell ourselves:
“等经济稳定以后，我再认真亲近神。”
“When my finances are stable, I will seek God seriously.”
“等孩子的问题解决以后，我再恢复家庭敬拜。”
“When the children’s problems are solved, I will restart family worship.”
“等这个项目做完以后，我再好好祷告。”
“When this project is finished, I will pray seriously.”
可是一个“以后”结束以后，又会出现另一个“以后”。
But after one “later” ends, another “later” appears.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
Lewis 很敏锐地观察到，魔鬼喜欢让人活在想象中的未来。
Lewis wisely observes that the devil likes people to live in an imagined future.
因为只要我们不断说“以后”，今天就可以继续不顺服。
As long as we keep saying “later,” we can continue not obeying today.
基督徒真正能够顺服神的时间，就是今天。
The time when a Christian can actually obey God is today.
第四部分：最危险的罪之一，是属灵骄傲
Part 4: One of the Most Dangerous Sins Is Spiritual Pride
请先读：哥林多前书 10:12
First Read: 1 Corinthians 10:12
“所以，自己以为站得稳的，须要谨慎，免得跌倒。”
“So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall.”
再读：路加福音 18:9–14
Also Read: Luke 18:9–14
特别注意法利赛人的祷告：
Notice especially the Pharisee’s prayer:
“神啊，我感谢你，我不像别人勒索、不义、奸淫，也不像这个税吏。”
“God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.”
耶稣最后说：
Jesus finally says:
“因为凡自高的，必降为卑；自卑的，必升为高。”
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
还可以读：以弗所书 2:8–9
You Can Also Read: Ephesians 2:8–9
“你们得救是本乎恩，也因着信；这并不是出于自己，乃是神所赐的；也不是出于行为，免得有人自夸。”
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith. This is not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
一个人甚至可以因为“自己很属灵”而骄傲。
A person can even become proud because he thinks he is very spiritual.
“我比别人更懂圣经。”
“I understand the Bible better than others.”
“我的神学比他们更正确。”
“My theology is more correct than theirs.”
“我比他们更热心。”
“I am more zealous than they are.”
这时，一个本来好的东西，已经成为骄傲的材料。
Then something good has become material for pride.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
如果魔鬼不能让一个人放弃信仰，他甚至可以让这个人为自己的信仰而骄傲。
If the devil cannot make a person leave the faith, he may make the person proud of his faith.
所以我们要记住：
So we should remember:
正确的神学，加上一颗骄傲的心，并不等于属灵成熟。
Correct theology plus a proud heart does not equal spiritual maturity.
真正认识恩典的人，应该越来越谦卑。
A person who truly understands grace should become more humble.
第五部分：不要总看别人的刺，要先看自己的梁木
Part 5: Do Not Only See Others’ Faults; Examine Yourself First
请先读：马太福音 7:1–5
First Read: Matthew 7:1–5
特别注意第 3–5 节：
Pay special attention to verses 3–5:
“为什么看见你弟兄眼中有刺，却不想自己眼中有梁木呢？”
“Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
“你这假冒为善的人！先去掉自己眼中的梁木，然后才能看得清楚，去掉你弟兄眼中的刺。”
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
再读：加拉太书 6:1
Also Read: Galatians 6:1
“弟兄们，若有人偶然被过犯所胜，你们属灵的人就当用温柔的心把他挽回过来；又当自己小心，恐怕也被引诱。”
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
圣经并不是说基督徒不可以分辨真假。
The Bible is not saying that Christians should never judge truth and error.
我们当然需要分辨错误教导。
We certainly need to recognize false teaching.
但是我们不能只善于发现别人的罪，却不省察自己。
But we must not become good at finding other people’s sins while ignoring our own.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
Lewis 描写一个人进入教会以后，慢慢开始注意每个人的缺点。
Lewis describes a person who enters a church and slowly begins noticing everyone’s faults.
他不再专心敬拜神。
He is no longer focused on worshiping God.
他开始审查别人。
He begins inspecting other people.
分辨真理是为了忠于神。
We discern truth in order to be faithful to God.
不断挑剔别人，却可能只是为了满足自己的骄傲。
Constantly criticizing others may only feed our pride.
第六部分：魔鬼很喜欢利用家庭中的小矛盾
Part 6: The Devil Likes to Use Small Conflicts in the Family
请先读：箴言 15:1
First Read: Proverbs 15:1
“回答柔和，使怒消退；言语暴戾，触动怒气。”
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
再读：以弗所书 4:26–27
Also Read: Ephesians 4:26–27
“生气却不要犯罪；不可含怒到日落，也不可给魔鬼留地步。”
“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
再读：以弗所书 4:31–32
Also Read: Ephesians 4:31–32
“一切苦毒、恼恨、忿怒、嚷闹、毁谤，并一切的恶毒，都当从你们中间除掉；并要以恩慈相待，存怜悯的心，彼此饶恕，正如神在基督里饶恕了你们一样。”
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, fighting, slander, and every kind of evil. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
这里有一句非常值得注意的话：
There is one sentence here that is very important:
“不可给魔鬼留地步。”
“Do not give the devil a foothold.”
家庭里面长期不解决的愤怒、苦毒和怨恨，会给罪留下空间。
Long-lasting anger, bitterness, and resentment in a family give sin room to grow.
很多家庭冲突并不是从一件大事情开始。
Many family conflicts do not begin with one big event.
可能只是一个语气。
It may begin with a tone of voice.
一个眼神。
A look.
一次误解。
A misunderstanding.
然后越积越多。
Then it grows over time.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
Lewis 对这一点写得非常真实。
Lewis writes about this very realistically.
魔鬼甚至可以利用家人彼此已经熟悉的缺点。
The devil can even use the faults that family members already know well.
所以属灵争战有时就在饭桌上。
So spiritual warfare sometimes happens at the dinner table.
就在夫妻讲话的语气里面。
It happens in the way a husband and wife speak.
就在父母对子女的不耐烦里面。
It happens in parents’ impatience with their children.
第七部分：不要用感觉代替信心
Part 7: Do Not Replace Faith with Feelings
请先读：哥林多后书 5:7
First Read: 2 Corinthians 5:7
“因我们行事为人是凭着信心，不是凭着眼见。”
“For we live by faith, not by sight.”
再读：希伯来书 11:1
Also Read: Hebrews 11:1
“信就是所望之事的实底，是未见之事的确据。”
“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
再读：诗篇 42:5
Also Read: Psalm 42:5
“我的心哪，你为何忧闷？为何在我里面烦躁？应当仰望神，因他笑脸帮助我，我还要称赞他。”
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why are you troubled within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
一个基督徒不可能每天都有强烈的属灵感觉。
A Christian will not have strong spiritual feelings every day.
有时我们祷告很有感动。
Sometimes we feel deeply moved when we pray.
有时我们什么感觉都没有。
Sometimes we feel almost nothing.
但是神的话并没有因为我们的感觉而改变。
But God’s Word does not change because our feelings change.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
Lewis 认为，属灵生命会有高峰，也会有低谷。
Lewis says that spiritual life has high points and low points.
魔鬼特别希望我们在低谷的时候说：
The devil especially wants us to say during a low point:
“我没有感觉，所以神一定离开我了。”
“I do not feel God, so God must have left me.”
但是信心说：
But faith says:
“即使我现在感觉不到，我仍然相信神所说的话。”
“Even when I do not feel it now, I still believe what God has said.”
第八部分：魔鬼喜欢利用我们对未来的焦虑
Part 8: The Devil Likes to Use Our Anxiety about the Future
请先读：马太福音 6:25–34
First Read: Matthew 6:25–34
今晚如果时间有限，可以重点读 27、31–34 节。
If time is limited tonight, focus on verses 27 and 31–34.
“你们哪一个能用思虑使寿数多加一刻呢？”
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
“所以，不要忧虑说：‘吃什么？喝什么？穿什么？’”
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’”
“你们要先求他的国和他的义，这些东西都要加给你们了。”
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
再读：腓立比书 4:6–7
Also Read: Philippians 4:6–7
“应当一无挂虑，只要凡事借着祷告、祈求和感谢，将你们所要的告诉神。神所赐出人意外的平安，必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念。”
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And God’s peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
我们很容易把大量力量花在尚未发生的事情上。
We easily spend a lot of energy on things that have not happened.
如果失业怎么办？
What if I lose my job?
如果没有钱怎么办？
What if I do not have enough money?
如果孩子以后出问题怎么办？
What if my children have problems in the future?
可是焦虑有一个特点：
But anxiety has one important characteristic:
它消耗今天的力量，却不一定解决明天的问题。
It uses today’s strength but does not necessarily solve tomorrow’s problems.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
魔鬼希望人不停生活在想象中的未来。
The devil wants people to keep living in an imagined future.
神却要我们今天信靠祂，并完成今天的责任。
But God calls us to trust Him today and do today’s duties.
第九部分：好东西也可能成为偶像
Part 9: Even Good Things Can Become Idols
请先读：马太福音 22:37–39
First Read: Matthew 22:37–39
“你要尽心、尽性、尽意爱主你的神。这是诫命中的第一，且是最大的。其次也相仿，就是要爱人如己。”
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
再读：出埃及记 20:3
Also Read: Exodus 20:3
“除了我以外，你不可有别的神。”
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
再读：约翰一书 5:21
Also Read: 1 John 5:21
“小子们哪，你们要自守，远避偶像。”
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
偶像不一定是一尊木头或石头的像。
An idol is not always a statue made of wood or stone.
一个本来很好的东西，也可能成为偶像。
Something good in itself can become an idol.
家庭很好。
Family is good.
工作很好。
Work is good.
国家可以是好的。
A nation can be good.
政治关怀可以是好的。
Political concern can be good.
事工也是好的。
Ministry is good.
但是如果任何东西取代神成为我们生命最高的中心，它就成为偶像。
But if anything takes God’s place as the highest center of our life, it becomes an idol.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
魔鬼不一定要把好东西变成坏东西。
The devil does not always need to turn a good thing into a bad thing.
他只需要让一个次要的好东西变成最重要的东西。
He only needs to turn a secondary good thing into the most important thing.
第十部分：不要轻看“小罪”
Part 10: Do Not Treat “Small Sins” Lightly
请先读：雅各书 1:14–15
First Read: James 1:14–15
“但各人被试探，乃是被自己的私欲牵引诱惑的。私欲既怀了胎，就生出罪来；罪既长成，就生出死来。”
“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then desire gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
再读：雅歌 2:15
Also Read: Song of Songs 2:15
“要给我们擒拿狐狸，就是毁坏葡萄园的小狐狸，因为我们的葡萄正在开花。”
“Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, while our vineyards are in bloom.”
再读：罗马书 8:13
Also Read: Romans 8:13
“你们若顺从肉体活着，必要死；若靠着圣灵治死身体的恶行，必要活着。”
“If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
简要解释
Short Explanation
罪往往不是一开始就非常大。
Sin often does not begin as something very big.
它可能只是一个不断重复的小妥协。
It may begin as a small compromise repeated many times.
一次。
Once.
再一次。
Again.
然后变成习惯。
Then it becomes a habit.
《魔鬼家书》的提醒
The Warning from
The Screwtape Letters
魔鬼可能并不要求我们今天就背叛基督。
The devil may not ask us to reject Christ today.
他可能只说：
He may simply say:
“今天不用祷告，明天再说。”
“Do not pray today. Do it tomorrow.”
“再放纵一次，没有关系。”
“Give in one more time. It does not matter.”
所以我们可以问自己一个很有帮助的问题：
So we can ask ourselves a helpful question:
“如果我沿着这个方向继续十年，它会把我带到哪里？”
“If I continue in this direction for ten years, where will it take me?”
第十一部分：我们要警醒，但不要把眼睛一直盯着魔鬼
Part 11: Be Watchful, but Do Not Keep Your Eyes on the Devil
请先读：彼得前书 5:8–9
First Read: 1 Peter 5:8–9
“务要谨守，警醒。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。你们要用坚固的信心抵挡他。”
“Be alert and sober-minded. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”
再读：雅各书 4:7–8
Also Read: James 4:7–8
“故此，你们要顺服神。务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你们逃跑了。你们亲近神，神就必亲近你们。”
“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.”
注意这里的顺序。
Notice the order here.
不是首先研究魔鬼。
It does not first say, “Study the devil.”
而是：
Instead:
顺服神。
Submit to God.
然后抵挡魔鬼。
Then resist the devil.
然后亲近神。
Then draw near to God.
简要解释
Short Explanation
《魔鬼家书》可以帮助我们认识一些试探的方式。
The Screwtape Letters can help us recognize some ways temptation works.
但是基督徒不能整天研究魔鬼。
But Christians should not spend all day studying the devil.
我们的中心是基督。
Our center is Christ.
我们的武器是神的话。
Our weapon is God’s Word.
我们的力量来自圣灵。
Our strength comes from the Holy Spirit.
第十二部分：最后的安慰——基督保守属祂的人
Part 12: Final Comfort—Christ Keeps His People
这一部分非常重要。
This part is very important.
如果前面只讲魔鬼怎样攻击我们，人可能最后变得害怕。
If we only talk about how the devil attacks us, people may become afraid.
所以查经最后一定要回到福音。
So the Bible study should end by returning to the gospel.
请先读：约翰福音 10:27–29
First Read: John 10:27–29
“我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟着我。我又赐给他们永生；他们永不灭亡，谁也不能从我手里把他们夺去。我父把羊赐给我，他比万有都大，谁也不能从我父手里把他们夺去。”
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
再读：罗马书 8:38–39
Also Read: Romans 8:38–39
“因为我深信无论是死，是生，是天使，是掌权的，是有能的，是现在的事，是将来的事，是高处的，是低处的，是别的受造之物，都不能叫我们与神的爱隔绝；这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的。”
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
再读：腓立比书 1:6
Also Read: Philippians 1:6
“我深信那在你们心里动了善工的，必成全这工，直到耶稣基督的日子。”
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
最后的解释
Final Explanation
这是改革宗特别重要的平衡。
This is an especially important Reformed balance.
我们确实需要警醒。
We truly need to be watchful.
我们确实有真实的属灵争战。
We truly face real spiritual warfare.
撒但也确实会试探我们。
Satan truly does tempt us.
但是我们的盼望不是：
But our hope is not:
“我一定要比魔鬼聪明。”
“I must be smarter than the devil.”
我们的盼望是：
Our hope is:
“基督比魔鬼更强大。”
“Christ is stronger than the devil.”
不是我们抓住基督有多牢。
It is not mainly about how strongly we hold on to Christ.
而是基督抓住我们有多牢。
It is about how strongly Christ holds us.
所以读完《魔鬼家书》，我们最后不应该越来越害怕魔鬼。
So after reading The Screwtape Letters, we should not become more afraid of the devil.
我们应该越来越警醒。
We should become more watchful.
越来越认识自己的软弱。
We should understand our weakness more clearly.
越来越认真对付罪。
We should take sin more seriously.
但最重要的是，越来越依靠基督。
But most importantly, we should depend more and more on Christ.
今晚结束时可以这样总结
A Final Summary for Tonight
第一，魔鬼喜欢让我们慢慢远离神。
First, the devil likes to lead us slowly away from God.
所以我们要持守神的话、祷告和敬拜。
So we should continue in God’s Word, prayer, and worship.
第二，魔鬼喜欢让我们忙到忘记最重要的事情。
Second, the devil likes to make us so busy that we forget what matters most.
所以我们要保持神所设立的生命次序。
So we should keep the right order in life that God has given us.
第三，魔鬼喜欢利用骄傲、焦虑、怨恨和小罪。
Third, the devil likes to use pride, anxiety, resentment, and small sins.
所以我们要常常省察、认罪、悔改。
So we should examine ourselves, confess our sins, and repent.
第四，我们要警醒，却不要以魔鬼为中心。
Fourth, we should be watchful, but the devil should not become our focus.
我们的中心永远是基督。
Our center is always Christ.
第五，我们不是靠自己保守自己到底。
Fifth, we do not keep ourselves to the end by our own strength.
神借着祂的道和圣灵保守属祂的人，使他们在信心中忍耐到底。
God keeps His people through His Word and the Holy Spirit, causing them to persevere in faith to the end.
“我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟着我。”——约翰福音 10:27
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27