抵挡试探
               RESISTING TEMPTATION

    没有一个活在世上的人可以完全脱离试探，因为诱惑的根源乃在我们里头，我们倾向于恶的性情是与生俱来。
    Man is never safe from them as long as he lives, for they come from within us -- in sin we were born. When one temptation or trial passes, another comes; we shall always have something to suffer because we have lost the state of original blessedness.

    在试探之中，要常找人指教。对于在试探中的人，切勿加以责备，却应予以安慰，正如你在受试探之中，愿意人家这样待你一样。
    Little by little, in patience and long-suffering you will overcome them, by the help of God rather than by severity and your own rash ways. Often take counsel when tempted; and do not be harsh with others who are tempted, but console them as you yourself would wish to be consoled.

    一切的罪恶试探都起源于我们缺少恒心和对神缺乏信心。
    The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God.

    一条无舵的船被波浪到处抛掷，照样，不谨慎持守和离开目的的人，就要多方受诱惑。
    A rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways.

    火以炼铁，试探以炼义人。
    Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just.

    我们常常不知道我们能做什么，但是试探却指示出我们是怎样的一个人。
    Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are.

    我们必须儆醒，尤其是在初受试探的时候，因为当试探刚来的时候，我们易于击退敌人 ----- 假如我们不让它跨进心门，却在它初次敲门的一刹那，将它挡于门外。
    Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.

    诊病应从最初始，因养痈遗患，事后的救药必定为时已晚。
    Someone has said very aptly: "Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength."

    一个人越久不事抵抗，他就要一天比一天越趋软弱，而敌人也就一天比一天更加强壮了。
    The longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.

    当我们为试探所扰的时候，不应该灰心绝望，却要更热诚的祷告，求神赐为我们力量，帮助我们胜过一切的患难。神必定会在我们需要的时候，为我们开出一条路，叫我们忍受得住。--- “ 你敲门，他必开门；你寻求，必寻见”，正如“圣经”里所说。因此，在一切试探和患难之中，让我们谦卑俯伏在神的手下，因为他必拯救我们，且将虚心的人升为高。
    We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that He may see fit to help us, for according to the word of Paul, He will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it. Let us humble our souls under the hand of God in every trial and temptation for He will save and exalt the humble in spirit.

    在试探和痛苦中，一个人的人格可从其所获益处的多寡而得着证明。他所得之益处越多，他的善良的品性就越加明显出来。
    In temptations and trials the progress of a man is measured; in them opportunity for merit and virtue is made more manifest.

    有些人于大试探得蒙保守，却在小事上反多失败，这是教他们凡事谦卑。因为他们既在小事上失败，遇着大困难，就决不敢仅依靠自己了。
    Some, guarded against great temptations, are frequently overcome by small ones in order that, humbled by their weakness in small trials, they may not presume on their own strength in great ones.

    试探虽然痛苦，对我们却常有益处。因为在试探中，常使人变为谦卑，清洁，而且在知识上长进。
    Yet temptations, though troublesome and severe, are often useful to a man, for in them he is humbled, purified, and instructed.

    神凭着他的智慧和公义，衡量各人的情形所应得的，安排万事，使其互相效力，让我们从各种遭遇中得益处。
    Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion, others toward the end, while some are troubled almost constantly throughout their life. Others, again, are tempted but lightly according to the wisdom and justice of Divine Providence Who weighs the status and merit of each and prepares all for the salvation of His elect.