耶利米书［第四十一章］
Book of Jeremiah 41
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耶利米书 第四十一 |Book of Jeremiah 41【罪恶的滚雪球效应】
罪恶的雪球效应始于心中的恶念！以实玛利在和省长基大利一起吃饭时，带人将他杀害。其实，他早已计划要除掉基大利，心中的恶念就像雪球般越滚越大。
罪的开始往往源于我们心中的小小恶念。今天，我们可能轻视内心的怨恨和嫉妒，认为不会影响行为，但这些负面情绪一旦有机可乘，就会扩大，带来无法挽回的后果。我们要时刻检视动机，避免在负面情绪的驱使下，做出错误决定！
二、罪恶的扩散-杀害无辜者（V4-7）
紧接着罪恶的雪球继续滚大。以实玛利杀害了基大利之后，事情没有结束。他还杀害了从示剑、示罗、撒马利亚来献祭的无辜者。
罪恶的扩散性极强，往往会波及无辜的人。我们以为罪只关乎自己，但其实罪带来的损伤是不可控制的！也许是一个小小的谎言，却引发连锁反应，给周围人带来伤害。所以我们必须谨慎对待自己的行为，不要让罪继续扩散，避免伤害他人。
三、罪恶的破坏-恐惧和混乱（V8-10）
当罪恶滚到第三阶段，雪球的重量已经让大家感到恐惧和混乱。剩下的人们已经害怕到跪地求饶，告诉以实玛利：“别杀我们啊！我们有食物，有宝藏，我们给你！” 人们在恐惧中，不再考虑道德，只想着如何自保，彼此之间的信任和仁爱完全无存。
罪恶的破坏不仅停留在当事人，往往会制造无谓的恐惧和不安。罪恶会摧毁人心中的平安，破坏我们的社交圈，甚至让我们活在担心被‘揭发’的恐惧中。所以，不要让罪恶掌控我们的生活，以免失去原有的信任和平安。谨慎言行，不让罪有任何搅乱的机会。
四、罪恶的结局-失败和逃亡（V11-18）
最终，罪恶的雪球带来了失败和逃亡的结局。约哈难听闻以实玛利的暴行，迅速追击，以实玛利计划失败，狼狈逃往亚扪。约哈难救回了被掳之人，但因惧怕巴比伦报复，他们继续流亡，准备逃往埃及；他们的生活被以实玛利的罪恶破坏，彻底失去安宁。
罪恶不会带来满足，只会让人自食恶果，使生活充满逃避与失败。我们无法凭自己完全避免罪的影响，但可以依靠神的恩典。在诱惑面前，及时祷告求神帮助，远离罪恶的雪球效应。
总结：雪球虽会越滚越大，若停止它就会融化！
今天让我们警醒，别让罪恶在我们生命中开始滚动，及时停止那个最初的小雪球，靠着神的大能远离罪恶的效应！
Jeremiah 41 The Snowball Effect of Sin
GK611 Morning Devotion
29/10/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Daniel
1. The beginning of sin - evil thoughts in the mind (V1-3)
The snowball effect of sin begins with evil thoughts in the heart! While Ishmael was eating with the governor Gedaliah, he led his men to kill him. In fact, he had already planned to get rid of Gedaliah, and the evil thoughts in his heart were snowballing.
Sin often begins with small evil thoughts in our hearts. Today, we may downplay our inner resentment and jealousy and think that it will not affect our behaviour, but once these negative emotions are given the opportunity, they will expand and bring irreparable consequences. We must always check our motives to avoid making wrong decisions driven by negative emotions!
2. The spread of evil - killing innocent people (V4-7)
Then the snowball of sin continued to grow. Things did not end after Ishmael killed Gedaliah. He also killed innocent people who came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria to offer sacrifices.
Evil is highly diffuse and often affects innocent people. We think that sin only concerns ourselves, but in fact the damage caused by sin is uncontrollable! It may be a small lie, but it triggers a chain reaction and brings harm to those around you. Therefore, we must be careful about our behaviour and not let sin continue to spread and avoid harming others.
3. The destruction of sin-fear and chaos (V8-10)
When the evil reaches the third stage, the weight of the snowball has made everyone feel fear and confusion. The remaining people were so frightened that they knelt down and begged for mercy, telling Ishmael: “Don’t kill us! We have food and treasures, and we will give them to you!” In fear, people no longer considered morality, but only thought about how to save themselves. Guaranteed, the trust and kindness between each other are completely gone.
The damage caused by sin does not only stop the person involved, but often creates unnecessary fear and uneasiness. Sin can destroy our peace of mind, destroy our social circles, and even cause us to live in fear of being ‘discovered’. So, don’t let sin take over our lives, lest you lose the trust and peace you already have. Be careful in your words and actions, and do not give sin any chance to cause trouble.
4. The ending of sin-failure and escape (V11-18)
In the end, the snowball of sin brought about the ending of failure and escape. Jehovah heard of Ishmael's atrocities and quickly pursued him. Ishmael's plan failed and he fled to Ammon in embarrassment. Johanan rescued the captives, but fearing Babylonian revenge, they continued to live in exile and prepared to flee to Egypt; their lives were ruined by Ishmael's sin, and they completely lost their peace.
Sin does not bring satisfaction; it only makes people reap the consequences and makes life full of escape and failure. We cannot completely avoid the effects of sin on our own, but we can rely on God’s grace. In the face of temptation, pray for God's help promptly and stay away from the snowball effect of sin.
Conclusion: Although the snowball will get bigger and bigger, if it stops, it will melt!
Let us be alert today, don’t let sin start rolling in our lives, stop the initial little snowball in time, and rely on the power of God to stay away from the effects of sin!