第五章16-26節
16 我說,你們當順著聖靈而行,就不放縱肉體的情慾了。 17 因為情慾和聖靈相爭,聖靈和情慾相爭,這兩個是彼此相敵,使你們不能做所願意做的。 18 但你們若被聖靈引導,就不在律法以下。 19 情慾的事都是顯而易見的,就如姦淫、污穢、邪蕩、 20 拜偶像、邪術、仇恨、爭競、忌恨、惱怒、結黨、紛爭、異端、 21 嫉妒(有古卷在此有:兇殺二字)、醉酒、荒宴等類。我從前告訴你們,現在又告訴你們,行這樣事的人必不能承受 神的國。 22 聖靈所結的果子,就是仁愛、喜樂、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信實、 23 溫柔、節制。這樣的事沒有律法禁止。 24 凡屬基督耶穌的人,是已經把肉體連肉體的邪情私慾同釘在十字架上了。 25 我們若是靠聖靈得生,就當靠聖靈行事。 26 不要貪圖虛名,彼此惹氣,互相嫉妒。
默想
- “做主門徒、跟隨耶穌、追求聖潔”,過這樣的生活,關鍵不在於我們做或不做什麼,而是“靠著聖靈”,活潑地、堅定地、勇敢地生活。當我們願意“被聖靈引導”,就能夠自由地抗拒肉體的情慾。
- 當我面對難題時,有沒有邀請聖靈來引導我?如果從來沒有如此祈求,何不今天就嘗試一下。再看看,我對那些難題的看法有沒有改變?
禱告與筆錄:
繼續安靜在神面前,與神對話,並聆聽祂對我說的話。將心中的思想(心得),或是與神的禱告,記錄在“靈程筆記”簿上面。
Galatians 5:16-26
16. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19.The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20.idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21. and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23.gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Meditation
- The life of discipleship, of following Jesus, and of holiness is not defined by what we do or avoid doing. It is characterized by vibrant, robust, and adventurous living “by the Spirit.” Allowing ourselves to be “led by the Spirit”, we are free to say no to the “desires of the flesh”.
- Have I ever asked the Holy Spirit for guidance when facing a problem? What happened? If I haven’t ever asked, try it today. Watch and see if it changes my perception of the problem?
Prayer & Journaling:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what he wants to tell me. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in the 2011 “Spiritual Journal” book.
Family Time (Begin this time by reading the passage above using a children’s Bible.)
Guide each family member to write one of the fruits of the spirit on paper. Cut the paper in the shape of some fruit and paste them in your Family Devotional Journal. Sing together “the Fruits of the Spirit” www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1t8MVZRNb4