（谷5:1-20）
主題：提防心變硬
在一般人眼中，附魔者是可怕而且危險的。他們發作的時候，會像野獸一樣，全無理性地襲擊別人。接近他們還有另一個危險，說不定那邪魔會改變目標，附到你身上。所以，還是保持距離為妙。
這是否一個程度上的問題呢？不是。附魔者的行為，多是身不由己。因為附魔者身不由己，所以他們的罪責是輕的。相反，罪人的行為，有多少不是出於自願呢？一般出於自由自主而犯罪的人，總不可推卸責任，說是真主或魔鬼吩咐他們做的。相對地，他們的罪責比附魔者還重！我們卻樂於與罪人為伍！難道我們不怕受罪惡的傳染嗎？還是我們想當救世主，想拯救這些罪人脫離苦海呢？
附魔者處於不能自救的地步，必須仰賴耶穌基督的慈悲，拯救他們。當罪人淪落到罪孽深重，不能自拔的階段，他們被罪惡硬化了的心，還會投靠有能力解放他們的主耶穌基督嗎？他們還有能力悔改，回頭歸主嗎？福音雖然記載過主耶穌基督驅魔的事蹟，可是，你知道有多少附魔卻失救的個案呢？
朋友，在成魔之前，還是早日悔改為上。且看，附了軍旅的可憐人，不是「從遠處望見了耶穌，就跑來，跪在他前」（谷5:6）求救嗎？對！「趁上主可找到的時候，你們應尋找他；趁他在近處的時候，你們應呼求他。」（依55:6）
換一個角度看，一個附魔者，既傷害自己，又傷害別人，他是一眾罪人的表表者。犯罪的人，他們所犯的罪過（傷害生命、姦淫、偷竊或撒謊等），同樣傷害了自己，亦傷害了別人或者傷害了彼此的關係。可是，我們很少與罪人保持距離！因為我們不覺得酗酒、豪賭、吸毒、嫖妓、欺詐、拖欠工資、公器私用、追求權勢等等是甚麼大不了的邪惡！
天父啊！求祢保護我們的心，不要讓它硬化。亞孟！
January 30, 2017.
(Mark 5:1-20)
Theme: Don't let your hearts harden
In the eyes of common people, the possessed are fearsome and dangerous. When a fit erupts, they might attack others savagely like a beast. There is also one more danger. Perhaps the demon may switch target to possess you. Thus, it is prudent to avoid them.
Is it a matter of degree or extent of damages? No. The behaviours of the possessed are usually not voluntary, thus their responsibility is diminished. On the contrary, how many sins are not voluntary? Sinners commit sins on their free will. They cannot say that Allah or Satan told them to do so. Relatively speaking, their responsibility is heavier than that of the possessed. We are eager to be in the company of sinners! Are we not afraid to contract sins? Or do we want to be their saviours, to deliver them from their plights?
The possessed cannot save themselves. They rely on the mercy of Jesus Christ to deliver them. When sinners become chronic and lose autonomy, their hearts would be hardened by sins. Would they turn to Jesus Christ for deliverance? Is there any capacity left to repent and turn towards the Lord? The gospel tells us many exorcisms by Jesus Christ? But do you know cases in which the possessed were never exorcized?
Brethren, repent before it is too late. Look, didn't the pitiful Legion "saw Jesus from afar, ran and worshipped him"? (Mark 5:6) Yes, "Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near." (Isaiah 55:6)
From another perspective, a possessed person harms himself and others. He is a showcase of sinners. The sins committed by a sinner, such as murder, adultery, theft or telling lies etc. harm the sinner, others and perhaps their relations. But we seldom keep our distance! It is because we do not feel that alcoholism, gambling, drug abuse, prostitution, frauds, not paying salary on time, using public resources for personal benefits and acquiring power and influences etc. are big evil!
Heavenly Father! Protect our Hearts lest they harden. Amen.
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