第22章 基督徒的节制
§1
第22章 基督徒的节制
§2
Chap.22 Christian Temperance
§3
上帝不允许人违背生命的定律。可是人竟屈从撒但的试探而放纵私欲，使高尚的机能屈服于动物的食欲和情欲。人在受造时比天使微小一点，他的机能可以得到最高的造就，但这些兽性食欲和情欲既占了上风，他就会屈服于撒但的控制。撒但很容易接近受食欲所束缚的人。一些人因为不节制，竟牺牲了一半的体力、智力和道德力，还有一些人甚至牺牲了三分之二，成为仇敌的玩物。{Con 57.1}[1]
§4
God gives man no permission to violate the laws of his being. But man, through yielding to Satan’s temptations to indulge intemperance, brings the higher faculties in subjection to the animal appetites and passions, and when these gain the ascendancy, man, who was created a little lower than the angels—with faculties susceptible of the highest cultivation—surrenders to the control of Satan. And he gains easy access to those who are in bondage to appetite. Through intemperance, some sacrifice one half, and others two thirds, of their physical, mental, and moral powers, and become playthings for the enemy.?{Con 57.1}[1]
§5
凡希望有清醒的头脑看穿撒但诡计的人，必须让自己的食欲受理智和良心的控制。心智的高级机能所起道德与活力的作用，对于完善基督徒的品格是非常重要的。心智的强弱，对于我们在今世的用途和最后的得救有很大的关系。人们对于管束我们身体的上帝律法的普遍无知，实为可叹。任何不节制的行为都是违犯我们生命定律的。人的愚昧已经到了可怕的地步。罪恶被撒但披上了光明的外衣，显得格外迷人。撒但很高兴把基督教界束缚在日常的习惯中，受风俗的暴政所统治，象异教徒一样为食欲所左右。{Con 57.2}[2]
§6
Those who would have clear minds to discern Satan’s devices must have their physical appetites under the control of reason and conscience. The moral and vigorous action of the higher powers of the mind are essential to the perfection of Christian character, and the strength or the weakness of the mind has very much to do with our usefulness in this world and with our final salvation. The ignorance that has prevailed in regard to God’s law in our physical nature is deplorable. Intemperance of any kind is a violation of the laws of our being. Imbecility is prevailing to a fearful extent. Sin is made attractive by the covering of light which Satan throws over it, and he is?well pleased when he can hold the Christian world in their daily habits under the tyranny of custom, like the heathen, and allow appetite to govern them.?{Con 57.2}[2]
§7
如果拥有智力的人，因任何不节制行为而使自己麻木不仁，他们所养成的许多习惯就与外邦人不相上下。撒但不住地引诱人转离得救的亮光，去随从风俗和时尚，不顾身体、心智和道德的健康。大仇敌知道如果食欲和情欲占了上风，身体的健康和智力就会牺牲在自我满足的坛上，人也就迅速走向灭亡了。如果蒙启迪的理智能够掌权，控制动物的本能，使之受制于道德的力量，撒但就确知他藉着试探取得胜利的能力十分微弱了。{Con 58.1}[3]
§8
If men and women of intelligence have their moral powers benumbed through intemperance of any kind, they are in many of their habits elevated but little above the heathen. Satan is constantly drawing the people from saving light, to custom and fashion, irrespective of physical, mental, and moral health. The great enemy knows that if appetite and passion predominate, the health of body and strength of intellect are sacrificed upon the altar of self-gratification, and man is brought to speedy ruin. If enlightened intellect holds the reins, controlling the animal propensities and keeping them in subjection to the moral powers, Satan well knows that his power to overcome with his temptations is very small.?{Con 58.1}[3]
§9
当今人们谈论黑暗时代，并自夸进步。但这种进步并没有减少罪恶。我们惋惜自然纯朴的缺失和人为炫耀的增加。所谓“黑暗时代”中所常见的健康，美丽与长寿，现在罕见了。一切美好的事物几乎都牺牲了，来满足时尚生活的需要。{Con 58.2}[4]
§10
In our day, people talk of the dark ages and boast of progress. But with this progress wickedness and crime do not decrease. We deplore the absence of natural simplicity and the increase of artificial display. Health, strength, beauty, and long life, which were common in the so-called “dark ages,” are rare now. Nearly everything desirable is sacrificed to meet the demands of fashionable life.?{Con 58.2}[4]
§11
基督教界有很大一部分人没有权利称自己为基督徒。他们的习惯，他们的奢侈，以及对待自己身体的普遍做法，都违背了自然的定律和圣经的标准。他们的生活方式正在使自己的肉体受苦，智力与道德力削弱。{Con 58.3}[5]
§12
A large share of the Christian world have no right to call themselves Christians. Their habits, their extravagance, and general treatment of their own bodies are violations of physical law and contrary to the Bible. They are working out for themselves, in their course of life, physical suffering and mental and moral feebleness.?{Con 58.3}[5]
§13
撒但藉着他的诡计，多方面使家庭生活成了充满忧虑和麻烦的重担，以满足时尚的要求。他这样做的目的是使人的心完全充满今生的事物，无法关心自己的最高利益。基督徒醉心于饮食和服装的不节制，不化时间去了解有关自己身体的定律，以便顺从这些定律。如果不遵守圣经所显示的上帝旨意，自称信奉基督的名又有什么用呢？ {Con 58.4}[6]
§14
Through his devices, Satan, in many respects, has made the domestic life one of care and complicated burdens in order to meet the demands of fashion. His purpose?in doing this is to keep minds occupied so fully with the things of this life that they can give but little attention to their highest interest. Intemperance in eating and in dressing has so engrossed the minds of the Christian world that they do not take time to become intelligent in regard to the laws of their being, that they may obey them. To profess the name of Christ is of but little account if the life does not correspond with the will of God revealed in His word.?{Con 58.4}[6]
§15
基督在旷野的试探中胜过了食欲。祂在遭受饥饿难当的痛苦时克己自制的榜样对基督教界的挥霍放荡和暴饮暴食是一种责备。现今耗费在满足食欲和放纵无知有害之私欲上的钱财，九倍于用来推进基督福音的钱财。{Con 59.1}[7]
§16
In the wilderness of temptation Christ overcame appetite. His example of self-denial and self-control, when suffering the gnawing pangs of hunger, is a rebuke to the Christian world for their dissipation and gluttony. There is at this time nine times as much money expended for the gratification of appetite and the indulgence of foolish and hurtful lusts as there is given to advance the gospel of Christ.?{Con 59.1}[7]
§17
彼得如果现今在世上，就会劝自称跟从基督的人禁戒肉体的私欲，因为这些私欲是与灵魂争战的。保罗会呼吁众教会“洁净自己身体灵魂一切的污秽，敬畏上帝，得以成圣。”基督会赶出圣殿中那些因吸烟而污秽了的人；他们呼出的烟气污秽了上帝的圣所。祂对这些敬拜的人，就象祂对犹太人那样说：“我的殿要称为万民祷告的殿，你们倒使它成为贼窝了”（太21:13）。我们要对这种人说，你所献上的被烟草熏过的不圣洁的祭物污秽了圣殿，是上帝所憎恶的。你的敬拜不蒙悦纳，因为你本应成为圣灵之殿的身体被污秽了。通过放纵不自然的食欲，你还抢夺了上帝库中成千上万元钱。{Con 59.2}[8]
§18
Were Peter upon the earth now he would exhort the professed followers of Christ to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. And Paul would call upon the churches in general, to cleanse themselves from “all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” And Christ would drive from the temple those who are defiled by the use of tobacco, polluting the sanctuary of God by their tobacconized breaths. He would say to these worshipers, as He did to the Jews, “My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” We would say to such, your unholy offerings of ejected quids of tobacco defile the temple and are abhorred of God. Your worship is not acceptable, for your bodies, which should be the temple for the Holy Ghost, are defiled. You also rob the treasury of God of thousands of dollars through?the indulgence of unnatural appetite.?{Con 59.2}[8]
§19
我们作为基督徒，如果要提高美德和敬虔的标准，就要作一番个人的努力来控制食欲，因为放纵食欲会抵消真理的力量，削弱抵挡和胜过试探的道德力量。我们作为跟从基督的人，应该在饮食上根据原则行事。我们如果顺从使徒的吩咐：“你们或吃或喝，无论作什么，都要为荣耀上帝而行”（林前10:31），现在花在有害私欲祭坛上成千成万元钱就会流入主的库中了。各种语言的书刊就会增多，象秋天的落叶一样散发各处。在其他国家里也会建立起传道机构，跟从基督的人就真的成为世上的光了。{Con 60.1}[9]
§20
If we would see the standard of virtue and godliness exalted, as Christians we have a work devolving upon us individually to control appetite, the indulgence of which counteracts the force of truth, and weakens moral power to resist and overcome temptation. As Christ’s followers, we should in eating and drinking act from principle. When we obey the injunction of the apostle, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God,” thousands of dollars which are now sacrificed upon the altar of hurtful lust will flow into the Lord’s treasury, multiplying publications in different languages to be scattered like the leaves of autumn. Missions will be established in other nations, and then will the followers of Christ be indeed the light of the world.?{Con 60.1}[9]
§21
人类的仇敌在这末后的日子正以比以往更大的力量工作，要藉着放纵食欲和情欲来毁灭人类。许多自称跟从基督的人被撒但所辖制，沦为食欲的奴隶。他们自称是崇拜上帝，然而食欲才是他们的神。他们对这种不自然的欲念的放纵，不是由理智或者判断力控制的。烟草的奴隶会看到他们的家庭缺乏基本的生活设施和必要的食物，但是他们却没有意志力放弃他们的烟草。食欲的喧嚷超过了自然的感情，这种畜牲般的情欲控制着他们。基督教甚至整个人类的事业，若是依靠那些烟酒上瘾的人，是根本无法推进的。如果他们的钱财只能用在一个方面，上帝的库就得不到补充，因为他们会把钱财用在烟酒上。以烟草为偶像的人不会为上帝的圣工而牺牲自己的食欲。{Con 60.2} 1874.9.8[10]
§22
The adversary of souls is working in these last days with greater power than ever before, to accomplish the ruin of man through the indulgence of appetite and passions. And many who are held by Satan under the power of slavish appetite are the professed followers of Christ. They profess to worship God, while?appetite?is their god. Their unnatural desires for these indulgences are not controlled by reason or judgment. Those who are slaves to tobacco will see their families suffering for the conveniences of life and for necessary food, yet they have not the power of will to forgo their tobacco. The clamors of appetite prevail over natural affection, and this brute passion controls them. The cause of Christianity, and even humanity, would not in any case be sustained if dependent upon those in the habitual use of tobacco and liquor. If they had means to use only in one direction the treasury of God would not be replenished, but they would have their tobacco and liquor, for the tobacco idolater will not?deny his appetite for the cause of God.?{Con 60.2}[10]
§23
这样的人不可能认识到上帝律法约束性的要求和圣洁，因为他们的大脑和神经由于服用麻醉品而麻木，他们不会重视赎罪或者赏识不朽生命的价值。肉体私欲的放纵与灵魂争战。使徒以极其感人的语言对基督徒们说：“所以弟兄们，我以上帝的慈悲劝你们，将身体献上，当作活祭，是圣洁的，是上帝所喜悦的；你们如此事奉乃是理所当然的”（罗12:1）。身体若是浸染酒精和污秽的烟草，就不是圣洁的，不是上帝所喜悦的。撒但知道这一点，因此便在食欲上向人施加试探，以便使我们受这种嗜好奴役，从而造成我们灭亡。{Con 61.1}[11]
§24
It is impossible for such men to realize the binding claims and holiness of the law of God, for their brain and nerves are deadened by the use of this narcotic. They cannot value the atonement or appreciate the worth of immortal life. The indulgence of fleshly lusts wars against the soul. The apostle in the most impressive language addresses Christians, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” If the body is saturated with liquor and defiled by tobacco it is not holy and acceptable to God. Satan knows that it cannot be, and for this reason he brings his temptations to bear upon the point of appetite, that he may bring us into bondage to this propensity and thus work our ruin.?{Con 61.1}[11]
§25
犹太人的祭物都要经过仔细的检查，要看它们身上有无残疾或者沾染疾病，最小的缺陷或不洁都足以成为祭司拒绝它们的理由。祭物必须是健全而有价值的。使徒鉴于上帝对犹太人所献祭牲的要求，就以最恳切的方式吁请他的弟兄将他们的身体献为活祭。不是患病，腐烂的祭物，而是活祭，是圣洁的，是上帝所喜悦的。{Con 61.2}[12]
§26
The Jewish sacrifices were all examined with careful scrutiny to see if any blemish was upon them or if they were tainted with disease, and the least defect or impurity was a sufficient reason for the priests to reject them. The offering must be sound and valuable. The apostle has in view the requirements of God upon the Jews in their offerings when he in the most earnest manner appeals to his brethren to present their bodies a living sacrifice. Not a diseased, decaying offering, but a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God.?{Con 61.2}[12]
§27
有多少人是带着病弱的身体来到上帝的殿啊！又有多少人是带着由于放纵自己的食欲而受了污秽的身体前来呢。那些由于错误的习惯而致堕落的人，当他们聚集敬拜上帝的时候，从他们患病的身体发出的气味使他们周围的人感到厌恶。这对于纯全圣洁的上帝来说，必定是何等可憎啊！ {Con 61.3}[13]
§28
How many come to the house of God in feebleness, and how many come defiled by the indulgence of their own appetite! Those who have degraded themselves by wrong habits, when they assemble for the worship of God, give forth such emanations from their diseased bodies as to be disgusting to those around them. And how offensive must this be to a pure and holy God.?{Con 61.3}[13]
§29
人类所患的疾病，大都是由于自己错误的习惯导致的，因为他们故意蒙昧无知，或漠视上帝所赐有关身体定律的亮光。我们在生活上违犯生命的定律，是不可能荣耀上帝的。我们的心在放纵肉体欲望的情况下，是不可能保持奉献给上帝的。因不断放纵有害的私欲所造成患病的身体和紊乱的思维，使身体和心灵无法成圣。使徒十分清楚身体的健康状况对于完善基督徒品格的重要性。他说：“我是攻克己心，叫身服我，恐怕我传福音给别人，自己反被弃绝了”（林前9:27）。他所提到的圣灵果子包括节制。“凡属基督耶稣的人，是已经把肉体，连肉体的邪情私欲，同钉在十字架上了”（加5:24）。{Con 61.4}[14]
§30
A large proportion of all the infirmities that afflict the?human family are the results of their own wrong habits, because of their willing ignorance or of their disregard of the light which God has given in relation to the laws of their being. It is not possible for us to glorify God while living in violation of the laws of life. The heart cannot possibly maintain consecration to God while the lustful appetite is indulged. A diseased body and disordered intellect, because of continual indulgence in hurtful lust, make sanctification of the body and spirit impossible. The apostle understood the importance of the healthful conditions of the body for the successful perfection of Christian character. He says, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” He mentions the fruit of the Spirit, among which is temperance. “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”?{Con 61.4}[14]
§31
男男女女放纵食欲，损害健康和他们的智力，以致于不能赏识救恩的计划。这样的人能对基督在旷野中的试探和祂在食欲方面获得的胜利有什么赏识呢。他们对于上帝不可能有很高的观念，认识到祂律法的要求。自称跟从基督的人忘记了祂为他们做出的伟大牺牲。天上的大君为了使他们能得到救恩，曾被压伤，被击打、饱受痛苦折磨。祂多受痛苦，常经忧患。祂在旷野的试探中抵挡了撒但，尽管那试探者穿着天国的衣服。基督虽然身体上遭受巨大的痛苦，虽然面对最谄媚的诱惑要贿赂和影响祂放弃祂的忠贞，但祂不肯做出半点让步。那骗子说，这一切的尊荣，财富，和荣耀，我都给你，只要你承认我的主权。{Con 62.1}[15]
§32
Men and women indulge appetite at the expense of health and their powers of intellect, so that they cannot appreciate the plan of salvation. What appreciation can such have of the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, and of the victory He gained upon the point of appetite. It is impossible for them to have exalted views of God, and to realize the claims of His law. The proposed followers of Christ are forgetful of the great sacrifice made by Him on their account. The Majesty of heaven, in order to bring salvation within their reach, was smitten, bruised, and afflicted. He became a Man of sorrow and acquainted with grief. In the wilderness of temptation He resisted Satan, although the tempter was clothed with the livery of heaven. Christ, although brought to great physical suffering, refused to yield a single point, notwithstanding the most flattering inducements were presented to bribe?and influence Him to yield His integrity. All this honor, all this riches and glory, said the deceiver, will I give Thee if Thou wilt only acknowledge my claims.?{Con 62.1}[15]
§33
基督很坚定。要是基督在道德力上像人一样软弱的话，人类如今哪里还会有救恩呢？难怪当堕落的魁首一败涂地地逃离试探的旷野时，喜乐充满了天国。基督有来自祂父的能力，要将祂神圣的恩典和力量赐给人，使我们能靠着祂的名得胜。但自称跟从基督的人很少选择与基督一同抵制撒但的试探，并象祂那样得胜。{Con 63.1}[16]
§34
Christ was firm. Oh! where would now be the salvation of the race if Christ had been as weak in moral power as man? No wonder that joy filled heaven as the fallen chief left the wilderness of temptation, a conquered foe. Christ has power from His Father to give His divine grace and strength to man—making it possible for us through His name to overcome. There are but few professed followers of Christ who choose to engage with Him in the work of resisting Satan’s temptation as He resisted and overcame.?{Con 63.1}[16]
§35
自称是基督徒，却乐于参加声色宴乐集会之人不能赏识基督在旷野中的争战。他们忘记了他们的主战胜撒但的榜样。基督在救恩计划中为他们所获得的这种无限的胜利对他们失去了意义。当撒但用他百般的试探催逼我们的救主时，祂所受的极大的羞辱和祂为犯罪的人类所忍受的极度的痛苦，并没有引起他们特别的兴趣。基督在旷野受试炼的场景是救恩计划的根基，要成为赐给堕落人类靠着祂的名可以得胜的秘诀。{Con 63.2}[17]
§36
Professed Christians who enjoy gatherings of gaiety, pleasure, and feasting cannot appreciate the conflict of Christ in the wilderness. This example of their Lord in overcoming Satan is lost to them. This infinite victory, which Christ achieved for them in the plan of salvation, is meaningless. They have no special interest in the wonderful humiliation of our Saviour, and the anguish and sufferings He endured for sinful man while Satan was pressing Him with his manifold temptations. The scene of trial with Christ in the wilderness was the foundation of the plan of salvation, and gives to fallen man the key whereby he, in Christ’s name, may overcome.?{Con 63.2}[17]
§37
许多自称为基督徒的人把基督生平的这一篇章看作两个国王之间的普通战争，与他们自己的生活和品格没有特别的关系。因此他们对战争的方式和所获得的奇妙胜利不感兴趣。他们的理解力由于撒但的诡计而迟钝，以致不能辨识出那使基督在旷野受苦并决意使祂丧失作为无穷圣子之忠贞的撒但将是他们直到末时的仇敌。虽然他未能胜过基督，但他掌控人类的力量却没有减弱。每一个人都会遭遇基督所胜过的试探。但是靠着伟大胜利者全能的圣名，有力量要赐给他们。人人都必须亲自得胜。许多人却在撒但用以攻击基督的同样的试探下跌倒了。{Con 63.3}[18]
§38
Many professed Christians look upon this portion of the life of Christ as they would upon a common warfare between two kings, and as having no special bearing upon their own life and character. Therefore, the manner of warfare and the wonderful victory gained have but little interest for them. Their perceptive powers are blunted by Satan’s artifices, so that they cannot discern that he who afflicted Christ in the wilderness, determined to rob Him?of His integrity as the Son of the Infinite, is to be their adversary to the end of time. Although he failed to overcome Christ, his power is not weakened over man. All are personally exposed to the temptations that Christ overcame, but strength is provided for them in the all-powerful name of the great Conqueror. And all must, for themselves, individually overcome. Many fall under the very same temptations wherewith Satan assailed Christ.?{Con 63.3}[18]
§39
虽然基督在旷野胜过了撒但的试探，为了人的益处赢得了无价的胜利，但人若不为自己的利益也获得胜利，这种胜利对他将毫无益处。{Con 64.1}[19]
§40
Although Christ gained a priceless victory in behalf of man in overcoming the temptations of Satan in the wilderness, this victory will not benefit him unless he also gains the victory on his own account.?{Con 64.1}[19]
§41
人类现在与撒但作战，比亚当有更大的优势，因为他们有亚当悖逆的经验作为警戒，免得步其后尘。人类还有基督的榜样。祂克服食欲和撒但的诸般试探，处处得胜这个强大的敌人，每一次都获得胜利。人类如果在撒但的试探下还失足跌倒，那他是没有任何借口的，因为他有亚当的悖逆作警戒，有世界的救赎主顺服、克己的生活为榜样，并有基督的应许“得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的宝座上与祂同坐一般”（启3:21）为保证。{Con 64.2}[20]
§42
Man now has the advantage over Adam in his warfare with Satan; for he has Adam’s experience in disobedience and his consequent fall to warn him to shun his example. Man also has Christ’s example in overcoming appetite and the manifold temptations of Satan, and in vanquishing the mighty foe upon every point and coming off victor in every contest. If man stumbles and falls under the temptations of Satan, he is without excuse; for he has the disobedience of Adam as a warning, and the life of the world’s Redeemer as an example of obedience and self-denial, and the promise of Christ that “to him that over-cometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”?{Con 64.2}[20]