經過多年掙扎和迫切禱告，明軒終於戒了酒。他將自己能擺脫酒精的捆綁，歸功於上帝在他生命的作為，但他自己也做了一些重要的改變。他的家裡不再存放酒精飲料；隨時留意自己的想法和情緒中的警訊；對會引發酒癮的情境保持警惕。他緊緊倚靠上帝，也知道不能讓罪惡或誘惑有可趁之機。

使徒彼得警誡我們：「務要謹守、警醒。因為你們的仇敵魔鬼，如同吼叫的獅子，遍地遊行，尋找可吞吃的人」（彼得前書5章8節）。彼得深知所有人都需保持警醒，因為魔鬼的攻擊往往會在我們意想不到的時候出現──也許是在我們覺得一切順利時，或是當我們自以為在某方面不會被誘惑的時候。

雅各也在書信中告誡眾信徒，要順服上帝並「抵擋魔鬼」，這樣我們的仇敵就必「逃跑」（雅各書4章7節）。而抵擋魔鬼最有效的方法，就是透過禱告和讀聖經來親近上帝。當我們親近上帝，上帝就會透過聖靈親近我們（8節；羅馬書5章5節）。雅各還鼓勵我們說：「你們務要在主面前謙卑，祂就使你們高升。」（雅各書4章10節，新譯本）

我們在生活中都會面對掙扎與誘惑。儘管如此，你我仍可以放心倚靠上帝，因深知祂要我們勝過誘惑並渡過難關，祂會在患難中陪伴我們。

After years of struggle and crying out in prayer, Frank quit drinking. He attributes his continued sobriety to God’s work in his life. But he also made some important changes. He no longer kept alcohol in the house, watched for warning signs in his thinking and moods, and was wary of certain situations. He leaned on God and knew not to leave an opening for temptation or sin.

“Be alert and of sober mind,” the apostle Peter warned. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Peter knew we needed to be watchful because the devil’s attacks are often unexpected—when it seems like our life couldn’t be better, or we think we’d never be tempted in a certain area.

James too warned his readers to submit to God and “resist the devil.” When we do, our enemy “will flee” (James 4:7). The best way to resist him is to stay close to God through prayer and time in Scripture. When we do, God comes near to us (v. 8) through His Spirit (Romans 5:5). James also offered this encouragement: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10).

We all face challenging moments in life when we’re tempted and struggle. We can rest knowing that God wants us to succeed and overcome. He is with us in our troubles.