牧者心聲
察驗神的心意
蕭壽華牧師
2024 年 2 月 3 日 / 4 日
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蕭牧師，我該如何在絕境中全心等待神的帶領和恩典？有時問題逼在眼前，不得不去處理，但又不知神的心意。
假如我們在路上看到一個路人跌倒在地，流血受傷，我們很自然會問，是否要走過去幫助？但我們不會坐下來祈禱，然後才行動，其實神已給我們判斷的能力，能判斷出有些事情須第一時間去處理。不過，我們有時覺得事情逼在眼前，不一定因為事情本身迫切，而是因為自己內心焦慮：「如果我不立刻告知老闆，便會失掉工作。」隨即就說了些不該講的事。我們當留意自己的心靈，在一些處境中，當我們的心轉向神，就可能會經歷到聖靈的提醒：「不需現在做，先祈禱，明天才處理。」
我可怎樣分辨前來幫助的人就是神派來的？
我們要看清楚對方提供的意見是否合神心意？他的方法有否違背聖經？他的意見是要我抓緊某些勢力，還是叫我憑信心尋求某些人的協助？
我們可以怎樣準確聆聽神的聲音？
神有時會向我們發出鮮明清晰的意念，讓我們聽到祂所賜的引導；當然，神不一定每次都讓你聽到特別的聲音，不過，許多時當你把自己的主見放下，祂的引導就會臨到。我不是說你不可有個人的主見，但一些不想放下的個人想法、執著，往往會令你聽不到神的聲音，只要你肯放手，你便會聽得清楚。許多人安靜讀經的時候，會清楚聽到神給他們的帶領，這聲音帶著權柄，以致他們不會討價還價，但祂的聲音卻又是溫柔地引導著。假如我們經常操練，就會越來越熟悉神的聲音和引導。
在黑暗中，我們要作神光明的兒女，縱然墮進危險當中，仍然要純良像鴿子，靈巧像蛇，對嗎？
對！你未必能改變客觀的環境，狀況未必是你可以控制，但你能夠去改變自己，你不需要為環境負責，但你卻要為自己負責。聖經清楚說過，神將來會查問你，祂會根據你對事情的反應（不是根據事情的本身）來查問你。有些人面對很多困難，有些人生活很平順，他們對處境的回應，就是神賞賜他們的基礎。假如你身處一個飽受攻擊、令人不安的處境，最大的保障，就是保持你的良善，繼續聽神的話，那麼你就必得保障。所以，我們要常常察看自己與神之間的直線關係，不要讓橫線的關係主導我們的思想和體會。
（本文為蕭牧師於 2021 年冬令營答問環節中的部分回應，節錄自 2022 年 9 月《北宣家訊》之「蕭牧師與你一席話（三）」。）
Rev. Siu, in a hopeless situation, how can I wholeheartedly wait on God for guidance and grace? Sometimes pressing problems must be dealt with, but I don’t have a clue as to what the will of God is.
Suppose we see someone falling at the roadside, hurt and bleeding. We ask ourselves: Shall I go and help? We will not sit down and pray before acting. In fact, God has given us the ability to judge to distinguish what we must do without delay. Having said that, sometimes we find something very urgent not because it really is urgent but because we are anxious: "If I don't tell boss about this now, I will lose my job." Then you say something you should not say. We need to pay attention to our heart. Under certain circumstances, when we turn our hearts to God, we may experience the Holy Spirit's reminding: "No need to do anything now. Pray first and handle it tomorrow."
How can I tell whether someone who comes to help is from God?
We need to see clearly whether the suggestion from the helper aligns with the will of God. Is his way against biblical teachings? Is he suggesting that I hold on to some power or that I should seek help from others by faith?
How can we accurately listen to the voice of God?
God sometimes gives us a clear idea and we can hear His guidance. Of course, God may not let you hear special voices every time. Very often, though, when you lay aside your preconceived ideas, His guidance will be present. I am not saying you should not have your personal views. I am only telling you that some personal views or insistence that we are not willing to let go can often block us from the voice of God. But when you let go, you will hear Him clearly. Many people hear God’s guidance for them clearly when they quietly read the Bible. The voice is authoritative so they will not bargain. Still, His voice gently guides us. If we always practice, we will be more and more familiar with God’s voice and His guidance.
We need to be the children of light in the surrounding darkness. Even in dangerous situations, we need to be innocent as doves and shrewd as snakes. Is that right?
Yes! You may not be able to change the environment or control the situation. But you can change yourself. You are not responsible for the environment, but you need to take responsibility for yourself. The Bible clearly tells us that God will someday inspect us. He will do so according to your response (rather than the incidents themselves). Some people live a life of adversities. Some others have a smooth life journey. Their responses to situations will form the basis of rewards from God. If you are in an unsettling situation with attacks on all sides, your greatest protection is maintaining your goodness and keep listening to God. You will surely be protected. Therefore, we always need to examine our vertical relationship with God and do not let horizontal relationships prevail over our thinking and experience.
(This is an excerpt from "Rev. Siu's Dialogue with You (Part 3)" in the September 2022 issue of NPAC Newsletter that records some of Rev. Siu's responses in the Q&A Session of the 2021 Winter Camp.)
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