3月19日 研究撒但的目的
研究撒但的目的
通过研究撒但，我们看见拥有能力（power）绝非骄傲的资本；属肉体的骄傲，不过是权能在窃取神的主权之后，产下的非法之物。
你或许会因为研究撒但的权势而感到沮丧，但这绝非我的本意。这些都是宝贵的功课，能引导你向天国进军，使你更适合进入那国度。
通过研究撒但，我们看见拥有能力（power）绝非骄傲的资本；属肉体的骄傲，不过是权能在窃取神的主权之后，产下的非法之物。这是一种在撒但子宫里怀上的私欲；即便当它产生时，你的心会因自满而膨胀自喜，但它对你的灵魂而言，却如该隐对待亚伯一般——是一个伪装成至亲的致命仇敌。
权能本是唯独属于神的神圣属性。我们这些必死的人若企图将其据为己有，就显得何等不堪，撒但也是如此。事实上，魔鬼是神一切受造物中最悲惨的，而牠之所以更加悲惨，正因为牠拥有那么多被牠滥用的能力。若牠在堕落时就失去一切天使的威能，对牠而言反倒是一种恩待。因此，若你拥有任何权势，却不将其用于神，就当战兢；成熟麦田里的蝗灾，都不如骄傲的权势对一个人恩典的毁灭性大。
你有权势吗？你如何使用这从神而来的恩赐？是用于祂的工作，还是用来满足自己的私欲？这便是撒但最精巧的试探工具之一：权势是这世界的“资深公民”，极擅长完成撒但交给牠的任务。牠一会儿穿上这身行头，一会儿换上那副装束——一切都是为了迷惑众人。而多数人目光短浅，很容易被这种虚假的表演所欺骗。有时权势披着华丽的丝绸与珠宝巡游，假装财富是通往伟大的钥匙；有时它穿上受人尊敬的职业长袍，不屑与卑微的人说话；接着它又换上戎装，要求成千上万的下属绝对服从。可是，不论权势如何展示力量，它终究只是随风飘荡的一个七彩泡沫。神只需以全能之威稍作示意，它便会瞬息归于虚无。
麦琴（麦克谦）读经计划进度
家庭敬拜：出30章，约9章，
个人灵修：箴6章，加5章
MARCH 19, THURSDAY
PURPOSE IN STUDYING SATAN
By studying Satan, we see that power is no basis for pride. Carnal pride is the illegitimate offspring of power.
All this study of Satan’s power may cause you some discouragement, but that is not my intention at all. These are valuable lessons, which will help you on your march toward heaven and fit you for the kingdom.
By studying Satan, we see that power is no basis for pride. Carnal pride is the illegitimate offspring of power. It is a lust conceived in the womb of Satan, and though your heart may swell at its birth, it will be to your spirit as Cain to Abel—a deadly foe disguised as your next of kin.
Power is the rightful attribute of God alone. We mortals make a poor showing when we claim it as our own, and so does Satan. The devil, in fact, is the most miserable of all God’s creatures, and all the more because he has so much power to misuse. Had he lost all his angelic prowess when he fell, he would have gained by his loss. Tremble, therefore, at any power you have unless you use it for God. A plague of locusts is no more destructive in a field of ripened wheat than prideful power is to a man’s grace.
Are you powerful? How do you spend this gift from God? On His work, or on the satisfaction of your own lusts? Here is one of Satan’s finest instruments of temptation. Power is a citizen of the world and is equal to the task Satan assigns. It dresses itself first in one fashion, then in another—all designed to impress the rest of mankind. And most are so nearsighted, they are taken in by its false show. Sometimes power parades in the finest silks and jewels, pretending that wealth is the key to greatness. Or it dons the robes of a respected profession and disdains to speak to those of meaner occupations. Then it may dress in military regalia and demand the instant obedience of hundreds and thousands of men beneath its rank. Yet for all its show of strength, power is an iridescent bubble floating on the wind. God need only nod His omnipotent head, and it will disappear into nothing.