第107章 自信的危险
§1
第107章 自信的危险
§2
Chap.107 - Danger of Self-Confidence
§3
F弟兄：1865年12月25日，我蒙指示看到在缅因州已开始了一项善工。我特别蒙指示看到的工作园地有一群人已经兴起来，作为安德烈弟兄和你自己工作的结果，藉着建立一座礼拜堂，他们表现了对真理的关心和爱心。还有一项大工要为这群人做成。相当多的人已归服了真理的理论；有些人是根据证据的分量做出了决定；他们在真理的链环中看到了一种美，一切都结合在一个和谐完美的整体里；他们喜爱真理的原则，可是他们还没有体验其使人成圣的感化力。这些人易经受末后日子的危险。撒但为没有经验的人预备了种种欺骗与网罗。他正藉着他的代理，甚至是藉着传道人作工，这些传道人不但自己轻视真理并将上帝的律法践踏在脚下，还教导凡听他们的人这样做。{1T 621.1}[1]
§4
Brother F: December 25, 1865, I was shown that a good work had commenced in Maine. Especially was the field of labor shown me where a company have been raised up as fruits of the labors of Brother Andrews and yourself, where they have manifested their interest and love for the truth by erecting a house of worship. There is yet a great work to be done for this company. Quite a number have been converted to the theory of the truth; some have decided from the weight of evidence; they see a beauty in the connected chain of truth, all uniting in a harmonious, perfect whole; they love the principles of the truth, yet they have not realized its sanctifying influence. These souls are exposed to the perils of the last days. Satan has prepared his deceptions and snares for the inexperienced. He is working through his agents, even ministers who despise the truth and trample upon the law of God themselves and teach all who will listen to them to do the same.{1T 621.1}[1]
§5
这群接受了不受欢迎之真理的人，只有依赖上帝，藉着他们所信奉的真理成圣，才是安全的。他们已迈出了重要的一步，现在需要一种宗教经验，使他们成为至高上帝的儿女，承受祂的爱子为他们所买来的不朽产业。那些向他们传讲现代真理的人不应在这个重要的时候放弃他们的工作，而应继续坚持他们的努力，直到这些人被聚集到基督的羊栏里。应该给予他们足够的指示，使他们聪明地亲自获得证据，证明对他们来说真理乃是救恩。{1T 621.2}[2]
§6
This company who have received unpopular truth can be safe only as they make God their trust and are sanctified by the truth which they profess. They have taken an important step and now need a religious experience which will make them sons and daughters of the most high God and heirs to the immortal inheritance purchased for them by His dear Son. Those who have been instrumental in presenting the truth to them should not withdraw their labors at this important period, but should still persevere in their efforts until these souls are gathered into the fold of Christ. Sufficient instruction should be given for them to understandingly obtain for themselves the evidence that the truth is to them salvation.{1T 621.2}[2]
§7
我看到上帝会在缅因州成就一项更大的工作，只要凡在那里的圣工中工作的人都献身于祂，并且不倚赖自己的力量，而倚赖那作为以色列之力量的主。我蒙指示看到安德烈弟兄和你已做了艰苦的工作，但并没有享受为了保持健康而应有的休息。你们应该小心工作并且按时休息。这样你们就会保持身体和心智的活力，使你们的工作更有效率。F弟兄啊，你是一个神经紧张的人，常常凭冲动行事。精神抑郁大大影响了你的工作。你不时觉得缺乏自由，并且以为这是因为别人处在黑暗或错误中，或者因为某种你几乎不能断定的事，你在某处或对某人冲动行事，这易于造成极大的伤害。在这种紧张不安的状况中，你若愿意安静自己，休息及镇静地等候上帝，并且求问，这场麻烦是否出于自己，你就会使自己和上帝宝贵的圣工免受伤害。{1T 622.1}[3]
§8
I saw that God would do a still greater work in Maine if all who labor in the cause there are consecrated to Him and trust not to their own strength, but to the Strength of Israel. I was shown that Brother Andrews and yourself have labored hard and have not had the rest which you should have given yourselves in order to preserve health. You should labor with care and observe periods of rest. By so doing you will retain your physical and mental vigor, and render your labor much more efficient. Brother F, you are a nervous man and move much from impulse. Mental depression influences your labor very much. At times you feel a want of freedom and think it is because others are in darkness or wrong, or that something is the matter, you can hardly tell what, and you make a drive somewhere and upon somebody, which is liable to do great harm. If you would quiet yourself when in this restless, nervous condition, and rest and calmly wait on God and inquire if the trouble is not in yourself, you would save wounding your own soul and wounding the precious cause of God.{1T 622.1}[3]
§9
我看到F弟兄若是在讲道时得了能力以致强有力地感动了会众的情绪，就处在变得自高自大的危险中。他会常常因此以为自己是最有效的讲道人。在这一点上他不时自欺。虽然他可能暂时是最蒙悦纳的讲道人，但他没能成就最多的善。讲道人虽能影响人们的感情到最大的程度，但并不因此证明他就是最有用的。{1T 622.2}[4]
§10
I saw that Brother F was in danger of becoming lifted up if he was enabled in his discourses to strongly move the feelings of the congregation. He would often think himself the most effectual preacher on that account. Here he sometimes deceives himself. Although he may be for the time the most acceptable preacher, yet he may fail to accomplish the most good. The preacher who can affect the feelings to the greatest degree does not thereby give evidence that he is the most useful.{1T 622.2}[4]
§11
当F弟兄谦卑并且倚靠上帝时，他就能行许多的善。天使前来帮助他，使他语言流畅，条理清晰。但在一段特别得胜的时间之后，他往往自高起来，觉得自己能胜任任何事，以为自己了不起，其实他只不过是上帝手中的一个器具。在这种时期之后，上帝的天使就把他丢在他自己软弱的力量中，于是，他自己虽是一个有过错的人，却往往把他所感到的黑暗和软弱归咎于弟兄们和百姓。当他处在这种不快乐的心境中时，他常常对这个人或那个人施加压力，而且，甚至在他的工作还没完成一半时，他就觉得自己必须搬到别处开始工作了。{1T 623.1}[5]
§12
When Brother F is humble and makes God his trust, he can do much good. Angels come to his help, and he is blessed with clearness and freedom. But after a time of special victory he has too often been lifted up and thought himself equal to anything, thought that he was something, when he was only an instrument in the hands of God. After such seasons angels of God have left him to his own weak strength, and then, though he himself was the one at fault, he would too frequently charge upon his brethren and the people the darkness and weakness he felt. While in this unhappy state of mind he frequently bears down upon this one and that one, and, even when his work is not half done, feels that he must remove and commence labor elsewhere.{1T 623.1}[5]
§13
我看到F弟兄处在本着自己的力量投入战斗的危险中，但他会发现在斗争中，他自己的力量只不过是软弱。当他依赖上帝时，他常常成功地与反对我们信仰的人作战。但他有时因胜利而感到得意洋洋，那胜利本是上帝使真理胜过谬误的，而他把这些斗争中的荣耀归于了自己。在他看来，自我已显为大了。{1T 623.2}[6]
§14
I saw that Brother F was in danger of going into battle in his own strength, but he will find that strength but weakness in the conflict. While he made God his trust, he has often been successful in combats with opposers of our faith. But he has sometimes felt elated with the victory which God has given truth over error, and has taken the glory to himself in these conflicts. Self has been magnified in his eyes.{1T 623.2}[6]
§15
我蒙指示看到在最近的两次讨论中，他确实没有正确的精神。在第一次讨论之前，他已因不爱真理之人的奉承而变得自高了。当他听到并且部分参与了两个非本会信仰的人开展的讨论时，他变得自高自大起来并且以为自己足以与任何一个人作战。而当他如此自信时，就恰恰在这个行动上剥夺了自己的力量。上帝不喜悦他漠视安德烈弟兄的忠告。他过于自信的精神几乎使那场讨论全然失败。在这些战斗中，若不获得决定性的进步，就总有损失。他们决不应掉以轻心地仓促行动，而应用最大的智慧步步谨慎，因为这比民族战争有更多悬而未决的事。撒但和他的党羽在真理与谬误的这些冲突中都被激动起来了。提倡真理的人若不本着上帝的力量投入战斗，撒但就必每每设法用优越的战术胜过他们。{1T 623.3}[7]
§16
I was shown that in his last two discussions he did not have the right spirit. Previous to the first he became exalted by the flattery of men who love not the truth. As he listened to, and acted some part in, a discussion carried on between two who were not in the faith, he became lifted up and thought himself sufficient to enter the battle with anyone. And while he was so confident, he was, in the very act, shorn of his strength. God was displeased with his disregard of the counsel of Brother Andrews. His self-sufficient spirit came near making that discussion an utter failure. Unless there is a decided gain in these combats, there is always a loss. They should never be rushed into heedlessly, but every move should be made cautiously, with the greatest wisdom, for far more is pending than in a national battle. Satan and his host are all astir at these conflicts between truth and error, and if the advocates of truth do not go into battle in the strength of God, Satan will manage to outgeneral them every time.{1T 623.3}[7]
§17
在第二场战斗中存在许多危险。可是F弟兄在这里又失败了。他参加那场斗争时并没有感到自己的软弱并且存谦卑单纯的心倚赖上帝的力量。他又自满起来。他过去的成功使他自高自大。他以为获得那些胜利主要是因为他使用圣经有力论据的才能。{1T 624.1}[8]
§18
In the second combat there was much, very much at stake. Yet here again Brother F failed. He did not engage in that conflict feeling his weakness and in humility and simplicity relying upon the strength of God. He again felt a sufficiency in himself. His past successes had lifted him up. He thought that the victories he had gained were very much due to his aptness in using the powerful arguments furnished in the word of God.{1T 624.1}[8]
§19
我蒙指示：拥护真理的人不应追求辩论。每当为了推进真理的圣工和上帝的荣耀而必须面对反对者时，他们应当谨慎而谦卑地投入战斗。他们应当用省察己心，认罪和恳切的祈祷，及常常暂时的禁食来恳求上帝特别帮助他们，使祂救人的宝贵真理获得光荣的胜利，使错谬显出其丑陋残缺的真相，并使拥护错谬的人完全挫败。那些为真理而战，反对其对手的人，应当认识到他们不仅仅在对付人，而且在对付撒但和他的使者，他们定意要使错谬和黑暗留在园地中，并用错谬掩盖真理。错谬既是与人生来的心极其一致的，就被理所当然地认为是有条理的。处在安逸中的人喜爱错谬和黑暗，不愿被真理革新。他们不喜爱来就光，免得自己的行为受责备。{1T 624.2}[9]
§20
I was shown that the advocates of truth should not seek discussions. And whenever it is necessary for the advancement of the cause of truth and the glory of God that an opponent be met, how carefully and with what humility should they go into the conflict. With heart-searching, confession of sin, and earnest prayer, and often fasting for a time, they should entreat that God would especially help them and give His saving, precious truth a glorious victory, that error might appear in its true deformity and its advocates be completely discomfited. Those who battle for the truth, against its opposers, should realize that they are not meeting merely men, but that they are contending with Satan and his angels, who are determined that error and darkness shall retain the field and the truth be covered up with error. As error is most in accordance with the natural heart, it is taken for granted to be clear. Men who are at ease love error and darkness, and are unwilling to be reformed by the truth. They do not love to come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved.{1T 624.2}[9]
§21
如果维护真理的人倚靠论据的份量，只对上帝有微弱的依赖，去对付他们的反对者，在真理这方面就必毫无所得，而会有明显的损失。除非在赞同真理上有明显的胜利，问题就比冲突前更糟糕。那些从前原可信服真理的人安心定意支持错谬了，因为他们在自己的黑暗状况中看不出真理的优势。上两次的讨论没怎么推进上帝的圣工；若是没有发生这两场辩论倒是更好。F弟兄并没有以自卑而坚定倚赖上帝的精神参加这些讨论。他在敌人面前傲气十足，抱着自足自负的精神，和基督谦卑的仆人不宜有的自信。他穿上自己的军装而不是上帝的军装。{1T 624.3}[10]
§22
If those who stand in vindication of the truth, trust to the weight of argument, with but a feeble reliance upon God, and thus meet their opponents, nothing will be gained on the side of truth, but there will be a decided loss. Unless there is an evident victory in favor of truth, the matter is left worse than before the conflict. Those who might formerly have had convictions in regard to the truth set their minds at rest and decide in favor of error, because in their darkened state they cannot perceive that the truth had the advantage. These last two discussions did but little to advance the cause of God, and it would have been better had they not occurred. Brother F did not engage in them with a spirit of self-abasement and a firm reliance upon God. He was puffed up by the enemy and had a spirit of self-sufficiency and confidence not becoming a humble servant of Christ. He had on his own armor, not the armor of God.{1T 624.3}[10]
§23
F弟兄，上帝已提供你一位有深切经验的同工，园地中最能干的工人。他是一个在自己的经验中熟悉了撒但的诡计的人，而且他已经历了最剧烈的精神上的痛苦。在上帝全智的天意安排中，他曾蒙允许感受在精炼之炉中的酷热，并在那里学会了除了上帝以外每个庇护都会失败，他能赖以支持的每个支撑都会证明不过是压伤的芦苇。你应该认识到安德烈弟兄对讨论深感兴趣象你一样，你原应该本着谦卑的精神听从他的忠告，并受益于他的指导。但撒但在这里有所企图，要挫败上帝的意图，他进来占据了你的心意，从而阻碍上帝的工作。你既本着自己的力量仓促投入战斗，天使们就丢下你独自去作战。但上帝本着对祂圣工的怜悯不愿让真理的仇敌获得明显的胜利，并且在回应祂仆人之恳切痛苦的祈祷时，派了天使来援救。你没有全然失败，而是获得了部分的胜利，使真理的仇敌不至对信徒们表示幸灾乐祸。但那次努力毫无所得，其实真理原可光荣地胜过错谬。你身边有两位最能干的拥护真理的人；三个人用真理的实力抵抗一个追求用错谬掩盖真理的人。要是你正确地参加了战斗，本可以在上帝里成为一支军队，但你的自足自负几乎造成完全的失败。{1T 625.1}[11]
§24
Brother F, God had provided you with a laborer of deep experience, the ablest in the field. He was one who had been acquainted in his own experience with the wiles of Satan, and who had passed through most intense mental anguish. He had been permitted in the all-wise providence of God to feel the heat of the refining furnace and had there learned that every refuge but God would fail and every prop upon which he could lean for support would prove but a broken reed. You should have realized that Brother Andrews had as deep an interest in the discussion as yourself, and you should have listened in the spirit of humility to his counsel and profited by his instructions. But Satan had an object to gain here, to defeat the purpose of God, and he stepped in to take possession of your mind and thereby thwart the work of God. You rushed into battle in your own strength, and angels left you to carry it on. But God in mercy to His cause would not suffer the enemies of His truth to obtain a decided victory, and in answer to the earnest, agonizing prayers of His servant, angels came to the rescue. Instead of an utter failure there was a partial victory, that the enemies of truth might not exult over the believers. But nothing was gained by that effort, when there might have been a glorious triumph of truth over error. There were two of the ablest advocates of truth by your side; three men, with the strength of truth, to stand against one man who was seeking to cover up truth with error. In God you could have been a host, had you entered the conflict right. Your self-sufficiency caused it to be almost an entire failure.{1T 625.1}[11]
§25
在参加具有重大关系的辩论时，断不可依赖自己能应用有力论据的才干。万一无可避免而要参加时，就当坚心信赖上帝，并存着谦卑的心，具有耶稣的精神，祂已吩咐你要学祂的样式，祂心里是柔和谦卑的。然后，为了荣耀上帝并体现基督的品格，你决不要不正当地占你对手的便宜。不要挖苦讽刺也不要玩弄字眼。要记得你是在与撒但和他的使者作战，也是在与人作战。那曾在天上胜过撒但，击败了那堕落的仇敌并且把他驱逐出天庭，且受死要救赎堕落人类脱离撒但权势的主，当在摩西的坟墓为摩西的尸首争辩时，尚且不敢用诽谤的话罪责他，只是说：“主责备你吧”（犹9）。{1T 626.1}[12]
§26
Never should you enter a discussion where so much is at stake, relying upon your aptness to handle strong arguments. If it cannot be well avoided, enter the conflict, but enter upon it with firm trust in God and in the spirit of humility, in the spirit of Jesus, who has bidden you learn of Him, who is meek and lowly in heart. And then in order to glorify God and exemplify the character of Christ, you should never take unlawful advantage of your opponent. Lay aside sarcasm and playing upon words. Remember that you are in a combat with Satan and his angels, as well as with the man. He who overcame Satan in heaven and vanquished the fallen foe and expelled him from heaven, and who died to redeem fallen man from his power, when at the grave of Moses, disputing about his body, durst not bring against Satan a railing accusation, but said: The Lord rebuke thee.{1T 626.1}[12]
§27
在你上两次辩论中，你轻视了忠告，不愿听从上帝的仆人。他是全心奉献于圣工的。上帝本着祂的天意给你准备了一位顾问，他的才干和影响力使他有资格获得你的尊敬和信任，而且受他有经验的判断指导决不会伤害你的尊严。上帝的天使记下了你的自足自负，并且忧伤地转身离开了你。主不能为你的利益安全地彰显祂的权能，因为你会把荣耀归给你自己，你将来的工作就不会有什么价值。F弟兄，我看到你不应在工作中倚靠自己的判断，因为这常常使你走入迷途。你应该顺从那些富有经验之人的判断。不要拘泥于你的尊严，也不要觉得那么自足以致不能接受富有经验之同工们的建议和忠告。{1T 626.2}[13]
§28
In your last two discussions you despised counsel and would not listen to Gods servant, whose whole soul was devoted to the work. God in His providence provided you an adviser whose talents and influence entitled him to your respect and confidence, and it could in no way have injured your dignity to be guided by his experienced judgment. Gods angels marked your self-sufficiency and with grief turned from you. He could not safely display His power in your behalf, for you would have taken the glory to yourself, and your future labors would have been of but little value. I saw, Brother F, that you should not, in your labors, lean upon your own judgment, which has so often led you astray. You should yield to the judgment of those of experience. Do not stand upon your own dignity and feel so self-sufficient that you cannot take the advice and counsel of experienced fellow laborers.{1T 626.2}[13]
§29
你妻子对你没有特别的帮助，反而更是一个阻碍。要是她接受并且听从了两年多以前赐给她的证言，如今她就会在福音中成为你的有力助手。但她既没有接受也没有切实照那证言而行。要是她遵行了，她的行径原会完全不同。她向来没有献身于上帝。她爱自己的安逸，躲避担子，也不舍己。她沉湎于懒惰，她的榜样是不值得效法的，而是对上帝圣工的一个损害。有时她对你发挥一种强烈的影响力，特别是她觉得想家或不满的时候。此外，她在教会事务上对你也有一种影响力。她形成自己对这个弟兄或那个姐妹的看法，表示不喜欢或强烈的爱慕，而常有的情况是，合她心意的人向来是教会的一大考验之源。她未献身的状态使她觉得对那些向她表现出极大信任和喜爱的人有极强烈的爱慕，而对上帝所爱的宝贵生灵却冷淡地掠过，因为他们没有向她自己和F弟兄表示热烈的依恋之情。可是这些人的爱心才是真的，应受到更高的重视，过于那些明言尊重他们的人。你妻子形成的意见对你的心有极大的影响。你常常理所当然地以为她是对的，想她所想并在教会的问题上相应地行出来。{1T 627.1}[14]
§30
Your wife has been no special help to you, but rather a hindrance. Had she received and heeded the testimonies given her more than two years ago she would now be a strong helper with you in the gospel. But she has not received and really acted upon that testimony. Had she done this, her course would have been entirely different. She has not been consecrated to God. She loves her ease, shuns burdens, and does not deny herself. She indulges in indolence, and her example is not worthy of imitation, but is an injury to the cause of God. At times she exerts a strong influence over you, especially if she feels homesick or discontented. Again, in church affairs she has an influence over you. She forms her opinion of this brother or that sister, and expresses dislike or strong attachment, while it has frequently been the case that the very ones she takes into her heart have been a source of great trial to the church. Her unconsecrated state leads her to feel very strong attachments to those who manifest great confidence and love for her, while precious souls whom God loves may be passed coldly by because no fervent expressions of attachment are heard from them toward herself and Brother F. And yet the love of these very souls is true and is to be more highly prized than that of those who make such protestations of their regard. The opinion your wife forms has a great influence on your mind. You often take it for granted that she is correct and think as she thinks and act in church matters accordingly.{1T 627.1}[14]
§31
你必须示范基督的生活，因为你身上负有严肃的责任。你妻子要为她的行径向上帝负责。她若是你的障碍，就必须向上帝交账。有时她醒悟并在上帝面前自卑，确实成为帮助；但她不久不后退到了同样怠惰的状况中，躲避责任，并且为自己开脱，不做劳心劳力的工作。若是她更为积极地活动，更愉快衷心地参加体力和脑力劳动，她的健康就会好得多。她不缺乏能力，而是缺乏行动的意向；她不会坚持培养喜爱积极活动的心。在她的现状中，上帝不能为她做什么。她必须有所作为，好自己醒悟，并把自己身心的精力奉献于上帝。上帝向她要求这个，而且在上帝的日子，她会被发现是一个无用的仆人，除非在她这方面有一番彻底的改革，并且活出所得的亮光。在这场改革发生之前，她根本不该在她丈夫的工作中与他联合。{1T 627.2}[15]
§32
You must exemplify the life of Christ, for solemn responsibilities rest upon you. Your wife is responsible to God for her course. If she is a hindrance to you she must render an account to God. Sometimes she arouses and humbles herself before God and is a real help; but she soon falls back into the same inactive state, shunning responsibilities, and excusing herself from mental and physical labor. Her health would be far better if she were more active, if she would engage more cheerfully and heartily in physical and mental labor. She does not lack the ability, but the disposition to act; she will not persevere in cultivating a love for activity. God can do nothing for her in her present condition. She has something to do to arouse herself and devote to God her physical and mental energies. God requires this of her, and in the day of God she will be found an unprofitable servant unless there is a thorough reformation on her part and she lives up to the light given. Until this reformation takes place, she should not be at all united with her husband in his labors.{1T 627.2}[15]
§33
上帝会祝福并支持F弟兄，只要他存谦卑的心前进，依靠富有经验之同工们的判断。{1T 628.1}[16]
§34
God will bless and sustain Brother F if he moves forward in humility, leaning upon the judgment of experienced fellow laborers. {1T 628.1}[16]