Friday, 2nd October 2026
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
主題經文「我略略地寫了這信，託我所看為忠心的兄弟西拉轉交你們，勸勉你們，又證明這恩是神的真恩。你們務要在這恩上站立得住。」——彼得前書 5:12
引言
彼得前書第五章不是突然轉到另一個題目，而是延續第四章的教導。
第四章裡，彼得面對的是一群正在受苦、被誤解、被攻擊的信徒。他提醒他們不要因火煉的試驗而覺得奇怪，也不要讓外面的環境改變裡面的生命；反而要謹慎自守、警醒禱告，最重要的是彼此切實相愛。
所以第四章一直在處理一件事：當外面的環境不能由我控制，我裡面的心要怎樣守住？
到了第五章，彼得把這個教導再往前帶一步。當教會處在壓力之中，首先要面對的就是領袖。環境越困難，領袖越容易焦急；事情越多，越容易靠控制來管理；壓力越大，也越容易只看人的反應、人的表現。
所以彼得先從領袖的心開始。然後，他再把焦點帶到整個群體：當大家都在壓力裡，我們彼此之間應該用甚麼態度相待？
最後彼得更進一步提醒我們：真正要看清楚的，是誰才是我們的敵人。
彼得前書第五章最後要帶我們明白，無論是領袖、弟兄姊妹，還是在苦難中的教會，我們真正要學習的，都是同一件事：在恩典中站穩。
所以首先，我們要看見：
一、牧養別人以前，先守住自己的心
彼得前書 5:1–4
彼得對長老說：「務要牧養在你們中間神的群羊，按著神旨意照管他們；不是出於勉強，乃是出於甘心；也不是因為貪財，乃是出於樂意；也不是轄制所託付你們的，乃是作群羊的榜樣。」
彼得一開始沒有先教領袖甚麼管理技巧。他先處理領袖的心。
他用了三個很清楚的對比：
- 不是勉強，而是甘心。
- 不是貪圖利益，而是樂意。
- 不是轄制，而是作榜樣。
所以彼得所關心的，不只是「你有沒有做牧養」，而是：你用甚麼心牧養？
外面所做的事情可能完全一樣，但是裡面的動機可以完全不同。
- 一個人可以一直服事，心裡卻充滿勉強。
- 一個人可以一直帶領，裡面卻越來越想控制別人。
- 一個人可以擁有屬靈的職分，最後卻把神所託付的羊，慢慢看成「我的人」、「我的事工」、「我的教會」。
但彼得說：這是「神的群羊」。羊不是我的。教會不是我的。事工也不是我的。我是神所託付的管家。所以領袖真正要管理的第一個人，不是別人，而是自己。我要管理自己的動機，管理自己的情緒，管理自己的權力，管理自己在壓力中的反應。
彼得更提醒我們，真正的牧養不是靠職位叫人服從，而是：「作群羊的榜樣。」
最後，大牧長顯現的時候，我們所要得的，也不是今天人的稱讚，而是從祂而來那永不衰殘的榮耀冠冕。
因此，當環境越有壓力，我越需要問自己：我的心還是在甘心服事神，還是已經開始靠控制來服事？當領袖先把自己的心放回神面前，接下來彼得就把這個生命帶進整個教會的關係裡。
二、在壓力裡，不靠自己掌控，而要謙卑降服
彼得前書 5:5–7
彼得接著說：「你們年幼的，也要順服年長的。就是你們眾人也都要以謙卑束腰……因為神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。」
彼得不是只對年幼的人講順服。
他真正的重點是：「你們眾人。」
也就是說，不只是某一個人要改，不只是某一個人要順服，而是整個群體都要把自己放在神面前。
彼得用了很生動的一個說法：「以謙卑束腰。」謙卑不是一種感覺。謙卑是我主動選擇放下自己，不讓自己的地位、想法、情緒成為整個關係的中心。特別是在壓力裡，人最自然的反應就是想控制。我想事情照我的方法發生，我想別人照我的意思做，我想證明自己是對的，我想立刻把問題解決。
但彼得說：「所以你們要自卑，服在神大能的手下。」
然後他立刻說：「你們要將一切的憂慮卸給神，因為他顧念你們。」原來把憂慮交給神，也是一種謙卑。
因為我願意承認：我不是神。我不能控制所有的人，不能控制所有的結果，也不能控制明天會發生甚麼。
但我可以選擇服在神大能的手下。很多時候我們以為，放手就是不負責任。
其實聖經所說的交託不是不負責任，而是：我做好神今天託付我的，但是我不再把只有神才能掌管的結果抓在自己手裡。
因為：祂顧念我們。當我真的相信祂顧念我，我就不需要靠控制來得到安全感。而當彼得把我們帶到這裡，他突然提醒教會一件非常重要的事：我們真正需要對付的敵人，可能從來都不是我們一直以為的那個人。
三、看清真正的敵人，用堅固的信心站立
彼得前書 5:8–11
彼得說：「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。」
這句話放在整章裡看，非常重要。因為前面才剛談到領袖、年幼的、年長的、彼此相處。在壓力裡，我們很容易慢慢把身邊的人看成敵人。意見不同的人，是我的敵人。不支持我的人，是我的敵人。讓我受傷的人，是我的敵人。
甚至有時候，我們會開始把自己的弟兄姊妹、自己的同工、自己的家人，看成需要防備、需要對付的人。
但彼得突然把我們的眼睛打開：「你們的仇敵魔鬼。」真正的仇敵不是弟兄姊妹。不是領袖。不是同工。
也不是我身邊那些與我意見不同的人。真正要吞吃我們的，是那位仇敵。
而魔鬼其中一個最厲害的工作，就是讓我們在壓力中彼此懷疑、彼此定罪、彼此攻擊，最後自己把自己分裂。
所以彼得說：「你們要用堅固的信心抵擋他。」
不是用血氣抵擋人，而是用信心抵擋仇敵。不是一直想辦法打贏別人，而是要站穩在神裡面。因為彼得知道，這群信徒正在受苦，所以他接著說：「你們在世上的眾弟兄也是經歷這樣的苦難。」
你不是一個人。你今天所面對的壓力，不代表神離開了你。而且彼得最後把我們的眼睛從仇敵再次帶回神：「那賜諸般恩典的神……等你們暫受苦難之後，必要親自成全你們，堅固你們，賜力量給你們。」
請留意：最後真正使我們站穩的，不是我們自己。
是神。祂親自成全我們。祂親自堅固我們。祂親自賜力量給我們。
所以彼得最後說：「這恩是神的真恩。你們務要在這恩上站立得住。」
總結
彼得前書第五章把第四章的教導帶得更深。第四章提醒我們，在苦難和壓力中，不要讓外面的環境改變裡面的生命。第五章則進一步告訴我們，這個生命要怎樣活出來。
第一，作領袖的，要先守住自己的心。不是勉強，不是利益，不是控制，而是甘心、樂意，成為群羊的榜樣。
第二，在彼此關係中，要選擇謙卑降服。不是甚麼都要抓在自己手中，而是服在神大能的手下，把憂慮交給祂。
第三，要看清真正的敵人。弟兄姊妹不是我的敵人，同工不是我的敵人，真正的仇敵是那要吞吃我們的魔鬼。所以我們不是靠血氣彼此爭戰，而是用堅固的信心站立。
今天神不是只問我：「你有沒有把事情做好？」
祂也在問我：「你的心現在在哪裡？」
我是在甘心服事，還是在勉強？我是在謙卑交託，還是在控制？我是在愛弟兄姊妹，還是已經把人當成敵人？
彼得最後把我們帶回一個最重要的位置：不是靠自己站立，不是靠環境站立，也不是靠別人的認同站立。
而是：在神真實的恩典中，站立得住。
Key Verse “By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.” — 1 Peter 5:12, NKJV
Introduction
First Peter chapter 5 is not a sudden change of subject. It is a continuation of what Peter has already been teaching in chapter 4.
In chapter 4, Peter was speaking to believers who were suffering, being misunderstood, and facing hostility. He reminded them not to think it strange when fiery trials came upon them. Instead, they were to be serious, watchful in prayer, and above all, to have fervent love for one another.
So chapter 4 is dealing with an important question: When I cannot control what is happening around me, how do I guard what is happening within me?
Then in chapter 5, Peter takes this teaching one step further.
When the church is under pressure, one of the first areas to be tested is leadership.
The more difficult the environment becomes, the easier it is for leaders to become anxious.
The more problems arise, the easier it is to rely on control.
The greater the pressure, the easier it is to focus on people’s reactions, performance, and responses.
So Peter begins with the heart of the leader.
Then he moves to the whole community and asks: when everyone is under pressure, how should we treat one another?
Finally, Peter helps us see something even deeper:
Who is our real enemy?
The whole chapter is leading us to one central truth:
Stand firm in grace.
And the first thing Peter shows us is this:
- Before Shepherding Others, Guard Your Own Heart
1 Peter 5:1–4
Peter says to the elders:
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
Peter does not begin by teaching leadership techniques.
He begins with the heart of the leader.
He gives three clear contrasts:
Not by compulsion, but willingly.
Not for dishonest gain, but eagerly.
Not by controlling, but by being an example.
Peter is not only asking:
“Are you shepherding?”
He is also asking:
“With what kind of heart are you shepherding?”
Two people may be doing exactly the same ministry outwardly, while having completely different motivations inwardly.
A person may continue serving while becoming increasingly reluctant inside.
A person may continue leading while becoming more controlling.
A person may carry spiritual authority and slowly begin to think of God’s people as:
“My people.”
“My ministry.”
“My church.”
But Peter reminds us:
They are “the flock of God.”
The sheep are not mine.
The church is not mine.
The ministry is not mine.
I am only a steward of what belongs to God.
Therefore, the first person a leader must learn to lead is not someone else.
It is himself.
I must manage my motives.
I must manage my emotions.
I must manage the way I use authority.
I must manage the way I respond under pressure.
Peter then reminds us that true shepherding is not using a position to make people obey.
It is:
“being examples to the flock.”
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, the reward we seek is not human praise, but the unfading crown of glory that comes from Him.
So when pressure increases, I need to ask myself:
Am I still serving God willingly, or have I begun to rely on control?
Once the leader brings his heart back before God, Peter then brings this same truth into the relationships of the whole church.
- Under Pressure, Do Not Try to Control Everything—Walk in Humility and Submission
1 Peter 5:5–7
Peter continues:
“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility… for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”
Peter is not only speaking to younger people about submission.
His main emphasis is:
“all of you.”
In other words, it is not only one person who needs to change.
It is not only one person who needs to submit.
The whole community must place itself humbly before God.
Peter uses a very vivid expression:
“be clothed with humility.”
Humility is not merely a feeling.
Humility is a deliberate choice to lay down self-importance and to refuse to make my position, my opinion, or my emotions the center of every relationship.
Especially under pressure, our natural response is to take control.
I want things done my way.
I want people to agree with me.
I want to prove that I am right.
I want to solve everything immediately.
But Peter says:
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God.”
And then immediately:
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
This means that even giving our anxieties to God is an act of humility.
Because when I do that, I am admitting:
I am not God.
I cannot control every person.
I cannot control every outcome.
I cannot control what tomorrow will bring.
But I can choose to remain under the mighty hand of God.
Very often, we think that letting go means being irresponsible.
But biblical surrender does not mean irresponsibility.
It means:
I will faithfully do what God has entrusted to me today, but I will not try to carry in my own hands what only God can control.
Why?
Because:
He cares for us.
When I truly believe that He cares for me, I no longer need control in order to feel secure.
And once Peter brings us to this point, he gives the church an important warning:
The person we think is our enemy may not actually be our enemy at all.
- Recognize the Real Enemy and Stand Firm in Faith
1 Peter 5:8–11
Peter says:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
This statement is very important when we read it in the context of the whole chapter.
Peter has just been speaking about elders, younger believers, submission, humility, and relationships within the church.
When we are under pressure, it is very easy to begin seeing people around us as the enemy.
Someone who disagrees with me becomes my enemy.
Someone who does not support me becomes my enemy.
Someone who hurts me becomes my enemy.
Sometimes we even begin to see our brothers and sisters, our coworkers, or our own family members as people we need to defend ourselves against.
But Peter suddenly opens our eyes and says:
“Your adversary the devil.”
Our real enemy is not our brothers and sisters.
It is not the leaders.
It is not our coworkers.
It is not the people around us who think differently from us.
The real enemy is the one who seeks to devour.
And one of the enemy’s most effective strategies is to use pressure to make us suspicious of one another, condemn one another, attack one another, and eventually divide ourselves.
That is why Peter says:
“Resist him, steadfast in the faith.”
We do not fight people in the flesh.
We stand against the enemy in faith.
We do not spend all our strength trying to defeat one another.
We stand firm in God.
Peter knows that these believers are suffering, so he continues:
“Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
You are not alone.
The pressure you are facing does not mean that God has abandoned you.
And finally, Peter moves our attention away from the enemy and brings it back to God:
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
Notice this:
In the end, it is not our own strength that keeps us standing.
It is God.
He Himself perfects us.
He Himself establishes us.
He Himself strengthens us.
He Himself settles us.
That is why Peter can finally say:
“This is the true grace of God in which you stand.”
Conclusion
First Peter chapter 5 takes the teaching of chapter 4 even deeper.
Chapter 4 reminds us that suffering and pressure must not be allowed to change the life within us.
Chapter 5 then shows us what this kind of life looks like in practice.
First, leaders must guard their own hearts.
Not serving by compulsion, not for gain, not through control, but willingly, eagerly, and as examples to the flock.
Second, in our relationships, we must choose humility and submission.
We do not need to hold everything in our own hands. We humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and cast our anxieties upon Him.
Third, we must recognize the real enemy.
Our brothers and sisters are not our enemies. Our coworkers are not our enemies. The real enemy is the one who seeks to devour us. Therefore, we do not fight one another in the flesh. We stand firm in faith.
Today, God is not only asking me:
“Did you do the work well?”
He is also asking:
“Where is your heart right now?”
Am I serving willingly, or reluctantly?
Am I walking in humility and surrender, or am I trying to control everything?
Am I loving my brothers and sisters, or have I already begun to treat people as enemies?
Peter finally brings us back to the most important place.
We do not stand by our own strength.
We do not stand because circumstances are favorable.
We do not stand because people approve of us.
We stand:
in the true grace of God.
Leave a comment