Overcoming Man’s Weakness by God’s Strength 靠神的力量胜过人的软弱
Author: Sis Evon Tan
Translated by: Sis Charis Ong
We all have our moments of weakness during which we need God’s help. This is because apart from the works of the devil, we are challenged by our own desires. We cannot rely on moral standards or pure willpower to overcome these weaknesses. Apostle Paul said, “For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.” For example, we all know that it is wrong to hate our enemies, yet how do we forgive? It is only when faced with real problems that we recognize our own weakness, and only God can help us. So how can we rely on God?
1. Confess your sins and repent
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) If we have sinned against God because of our weaknesses, then we must come before Him to confess our sins and repent, instead of stiffening our necks and continuing to indulge in sinful ways. God is a faithful God, but He is also a just God who will not allow us to live in sin and be happy about it. So long as we are ready to confess and repent, God will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, but we must also remember that “from now on sin no more” (John 8:11)
2. Put on your full armor and get to know God
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day …having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith… and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” (Ephesians 6:13-17) After we have confessed our sins, we must be serious about getting to know God and put on His full armor. Every single piece of armor points in the same direction – to get to know God and the truth about Him.
3. Rely on God for strength
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10) Apostle Paul exhorts us that only by relying on God for His almighty strength, can we stand strong in days of trouble and fight a good fight for God, giving all the glory to His great and holy name.
Dear brothers and sisters, let us look to God in faith for strength, so that we may overcome the weaknesses in life!
文: 玉雯师母
我们都会软弱，需要神的帮助。因为除了魔鬼的势力，我们还要面对自身的情欲。我们不能靠道德原则或意志力来胜过软弱。使徒保罗说，“立志为善由得我，只是行出来由不得我”例如：我们都知道恨恶人是错的，问题是：要如何饶恕？当我们真正面对问题时，就会体会自己的软弱，而唯一能帮助我们的只有神。我们应当如何倚靠神？
一、认罪悔改
“我们若认自己的罪，神是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义”（约一1：9）
我们若是因自身的软弱干犯了上帝，就一定要来到主的面前认罪悔改，不要硬着颈项沉溺在罪中。神虽是信实的神，但也是公义的神，绝不容许我们活在罪中还自得其乐。只要我们肯认罪，并且真正悔改，神就会赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义，但我们也要切记“从此不要再犯罪了”（约8：11）
二、穿戴全副军装认识神
“所以，要拿起神所赐的全副军装，好在磨难的日子抵挡仇敌，…用真理当作带子束腰，用公义当作护心镜遮胸，又用平安的福音当作预备走路的鞋穿在脚上。此外又拿着信德当作虅牌，…并戴上救恩的头盔，拿着圣灵的宝剑，就是神的道”（弗6：13-17）。
认罪以后，我们要认真认识神，穿戴祂给我们的全副军装。“军装”的不同部分都是指向一个目标——认识他，明白有关祂的真理。
三、靠主得力
“我还有末了的话，你们要靠著主，倚赖他的大能大力，作刚强的人”（弗6：10）
使徒保罗在这里勉励我们只有靠着主，依赖祂的大能大力，才可以在磨难的日子站立得住，作刚强的人，为主打美好的仗，将荣耀归给他那伟大而圣洁的名。
亲爱的弟兄姐妹们，让我们以信心依靠神的大能，好让我们能胜过生活中的软弱！