第04章 恶言恶语
§1
第04章 恶言恶语
§2
Chap. 4 - Evilspeaking
§3
F弟兄以上帝的圣工为念，但他感触太深，且已将许多不应该背的重担背在身上。这样就损害了他的健康。有时，他看待问题的眼光太强，而且一直太认真，急于让大家都与他有一样的看法；因为他们反而不这么做，他就觉得几乎崩溃了。他的感受很深，且有危险太强烈地推进他对事情的看法。【2T.50.1】[1]
§4
Brother F has had the cause of God at heart, but he has felt too deeply, and has taken on many burdens which he should not have borne. He has suffered in health in this way. He has sometimes viewed matters in a strong light, and has been too earnest and anxious to have all see them just as he did; and because they were backward in doing so, he has felt nearly crushed. He feels to the depths, and is in danger of urging his views of things too strongly. {2T 50.1}[1]
§5
F姐妹想作一名基督徒，但她没有高雅的谨慎和真礼貌。她有很乐观的性情，热诚而自信。她表现出自己品格中粗糙一面，并不想改进。她作事冲动，凭感觉而行，有时她的感情非常激动和强烈。她好恶分明，并让这种不幸的品格特性任意发展，大大损害了自己在灵性上的进步，也大大伤害了教会。她说得太多，又没智慧，就如她所感觉到的。这对她丈夫有强烈影响，有时导致他出于感情激动而行事，其实他若等候，冷静看待问题并予以恰当的权衡，原会对他自己和教会都更有益处。行事仓促凭冲动或凭强烈的感情，是一事无成的。【2T.50.2】[2]
§6
Sister F wants to be a Christian, but she has not cultivated discretion and true courtesy. She is of a very sanguine turn of mind, ardent and self-confident. She shows the rough part of her character, and has not appeared to advantage. She has moved from impulse, acting just as she felt, and sometimes her feelings have been much excited and strong. She has strong likes and dislikes, and has permitted this unfortunate trait in her character to develop itself, greatly to the detriment of her own spiritual advancement and to the injury of the church. She has talked too much and unwisely, just as she felt. This has had a strong influence upon her husband, and has at times led him to move from excitement of feeling, when if he had waited and looked at matters calmly and weighed them properly, it would have been better for himself and for the church. Nothing is gained by moving hurriedly, moving from impulse, or from strong feeling. {2T 50.2}[2]
§7
F姐妹凭冲动作事，爱挑剔，说了太多反对弟兄姐妹们的话。这在任何教会都会引起混乱。她若能控制自己的精神，就会获得极大的胜利。她若愿意寻求属天的装饰，就是天地的创造主上帝所看为极宝贵的温柔安静的心这种装饰，她对教会就能成为真正的帮助。她若心中怀存基督的精神，作一个使人和睦的人，她自己的灵魂就会兴旺，而且无论她身处何方，都会成为教会的福气。她若不回转并在心中发生完全的改变，她若不训练自己慢慢地说、慢慢地动怒，培养真基督徒的礼貌，她的影响就会证明是有害的，与她相关之人的福乐也会遭受损失。她表现出一种独立不羁的精神，这对她是一种伤害，且使朋友们与她疏远。这种独立不羁已给她惹了许多麻烦，也伤害了她最好的朋友们。【2T.51.1】[3]
§8
Sister F moves from impulse, and finds fault, and has had too much to say against her brethren and sisters. This will cause confusion in any church. If she could control her own spirit, a great victory would be gained. If she would seek the heavenly adorning, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, calls of great price, she would then be a real help to the church. If she would cherish the spirit of Christ, and become a peacemaker, her own soul would flourish, and she would be a blessing to the church wherever she might be located. Unless she is converted and an entire change is wrought in her, unless she educates herself to be slow to speak and slow to wrath, and cultivates true Christian courtesy, her influence will prove injurious, and the happiness of others connected with her will suffer. She manifests an independence which is a damage to her and alienates her friends. This independence has caused her much trouble and has wounded her best friends. {2T 51.1}[3]
§9
如果教会里那些有钱的人在和她丈夫打交道时小气吝啬，在商业交易上给他的关照还不及世俗的人，她就大发感慨，说三道四，引起从前没有过的不满情绪。这充其量不过是个自私的世界。许多自称相信真理的人并没有因真理而成圣，也没有发慈心在产品价格上给教会里贫穷的弟兄比给属世精干的人多一点儿优惠。他们并没有爱邻舍如同自己。他们如果少一些自私，多一些无私的善行，就会更讨上帝喜悦了。【2T.51.2】[4]
§10
If those who had means were close in their deal with her husband, and did not favor him more than worldlings in business transactions, she has felt and talked, and aroused feelings of dissatisfaction where none previously existed. This is a selfish world at best. Many of those who profess the truth are not sanctified by it, and may not have a heart to make even a trifling variation in the prices of produce when dealing with a poor brother, sooner than they would with an able worldling. They do not love their neighbors as themselves. It would be more pleasing to God were there less selfishness and more disinterested benevolence. {2T 51.2}[4]
§11
F姐妹虽看出了交易中显出的自私的精神，但她因对这事怀有的情绪和说三道四而犯了更大的罪。她错在期望太多。舌头一直是一个不受约束的肢体，是一个罪恶的世界，能点着地狱的火，未被人制伏，也不易制伏。F姐妹被得罪时的举止表明，她有一种报复的精神。这是完全错误的。她怀藏了苦毒的情绪，是与基督的精神无关的。我们说使我们不愉快的那些人的坏话，叙述邻舍的错误、过失和罪恶，便是在纵容愤怒、怨恨和各种不仁慈的脾气，满足私欲。【2T.51.3】[5]
§12
As Sister F has seen a selfish spirit manifest in deal, she has committed a greater sin by feeling and talking in regard to the matter as she has. She has erred in expecting too much. The tongue has been truly an unruly member, a world of iniquity, set on fire of hell, untamed and untamable. Sister F has had a spirit of retaliation, manifesting by her deportment that she was offended. This was all wrong. She has cherished bitter feelings, which are foreign to the spirit of Christ. Anger, resentment, and all kinds of unkind tempers are indulged by speaking against those with whom we are displeased, and by reciting the errors and failings and sins of neighbors. The lustful desires are gratified. {2T 51.3}[5]
§13
F姐妹，如果你因邻舍或朋友在行错伤害自己而感到忧伤，如果他们被过犯所胜，你就要遵循圣经的准则。“倘若你的弟兄得罪你，你就去趁着只有他和你在一处的时候，指出他的错来”（太18:15）。当你去找你认为有错的那一位时，要留心以温柔、谦卑的精神说话，因为人的怒气并不成就上帝的义。除了用温柔、亲切、慈爱的精神，其它任何方法都不能使犯错之人转回。你要注意自己的态度，任何表露骄傲自满的神色、姿态、话语和声调，都要避免。你要谨慎，不要有一点高抬自己的言语表情，也不要提出自己的善良和义行来和对方的过失相对照。谨防鄙视、傲慢和轻蔑等极其疏远人的态度。小心避免任何愤怒的表情，即使要用坦白的直言，但仍不要指责，不要嘲骂指控，不要有激愤的表示，只要表现真诚的爱。最重要的，不要有恼恨或恶意的形色，也不要发出苦毒和令人伤痛的言词。从一颗爱心所能流露出来的只有仁慈与温柔。然而这一切宝贵的果子都不必拦阻你以极其严肃庄重的态度发言，好像有天使在定睛看着你，而且你所作的也正是有关于将来审判的。要谨记，责备的成效大部分都要靠赖发出责备的精神。不可忽略作诚恳的祷告，好使你具有谦卑的心，也使上帝的天使可以在那些你打算去接触的人们心中运行，叫他们因感受上天而来的影响得以软化，叫你的努力奏效。如果有了什么好的成就，不要归功给你自己。只有上帝应当受到赞扬。唯独上帝成就了这一切。【2T.52.1】[6]
§14
Sister F, if you are grieved because your neighbors or friends are doing wrong to their own hurt, if they are overtaken in fault, follow the Bible rule. Tell him his fault between thee and him alone. As you go to the one you suppose to be in error, see that you speak in a meek and lowly spirit; for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. The erring can be restored in no other way than in the spirit of meekness, gentleness, and tender love. Be careful in your manner. Avoid anything in look or gesture, word or tone, that savors of pride or self-sufficiency. Guard yourself against a word or look that would exalt yourself, or place your goodness and righteousness in contrast with their failings. Beware of the most distant approach to disdain, overbearing, or contempt. With care avoid every appearance of anger; and though you use plainness of speech, let there be no reproach, no railing accusation, no token of warmth but that of earnest love. Above all, let there be no shadow of hate or ill will, no bitterness or sourness of expression. Nothing but kindness and gentleness can flow from a heart of love. Yet all these precious fruits need not hinder you from speaking in the most serious, solemn manner, as though angels were directing their eyes upon you, and you were acting in reference to the coming judgment. Bear in mind that the success of reproof depends greatly upon the spirit in which it is given. Do not neglect earnest prayer that you may possess a lowly mind, and that angels of God may go before you to work upon the hearts you are trying to reach, and so soften them by heavenly impressions that your efforts may avail. If any good is accomplished, take no credit to yourself. God alone should be exalted. God alone has done it all. {2T 52.1}[6]
§15
你向别人说了弟兄或姐妹或邻舍的坏话，而在此之前，你并没有按照上帝明确吩咐的步骤去找他，你或许为此找借口说：“我是心里难过忍不住才说的。”你为什么难过呢？你难道没有明明忽略了自己的责任——没有遵照‘耶和华如此说’吗？你心中有负咎感，是因为你没有趁着只有你和犯错的人在一起时，指出他的过错来。你若不这样作，你若不顺从上帝，那么你除了难过还能怎样呢？除非你在践踏上帝命令和心中仇恨弟兄姐妹时变得心肠刚硬了。你找到了什么方法解脱自己的重担呢？上帝因你的疏忽之罪责备你，因为你没有把你弟兄的过错告诉他本人，反倒藉着犯罪，就是藉着把你弟兄的过错告诉另一个人来为自己开脱，安慰自己！藉着犯罪来努力挣得安心自在，这岂是正路吗？【2T.53.1】[7]
§16
You have excused yourself for speaking evil of your brother or sister or neighbor to others before going to him and taking the steps which God has absolutely commanded. You say: Why, I did not speak to anyone until I was so burdened that I could not refrain. What burdened you? Was it not a plain neglect of your own duty, of a thus saith the Lord? You were under the guilt of sin because you did not go and tell the offender his fault between you and him alone. If you did not do this, if you disobeyed God, how could you be otherwise than burdened unless your heart was hardened while you were trampling the command of God underfoot, and in your heart hating your brother or neighbor? And what way have you found to unburden yourself? God reproves you for a sin of omission in not telling your brother his fault, and you excuse and comfort yourself by a sin of commission by telling your brothers faults to another person! Is this the right way to purchase ease--by committing sin? {2T 53.1}[7]
§17
你挽救犯错之人的全部努力可能全无效果。他们也许会以怨报德。他们可能不但没有被说服，反而被激怒了。如果他们不听良言善劝，仍然偏行已经踏上的恶道，那又怎样呢？这种情况常会发生。有时最温和最亲切的责备，也达不到良好的效果。在这种情况下，你希望别人因秉公行义、停止犯罪，学习行善所要领受的福惠，就会回到你自己的怀抱。如果行错的人坚持犯罪，你仍要好好地对待他们，把他们交托给你的天父。你这样作，便拯救了自己的灵魂，他们的罪不再归在你身上，你与他们的罪无份。他们若灭亡，他们血归在自己头上。【2T.53.2】[8]
§18
All your efforts to save the erring may be unavailing. They may repay you evil for good. They may be enraged rather than convinced. What if they hear to no good purpose, and pursue the evil course they have begun? This will frequently occur. Sometimes the mildest and tenderest reproof will have no good effect. In that case the blessing you wanted another to receive by pursuing a course of righteousness, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well, will return into your own bosom. If the erring persist in sin, treat them kindly, and leave them with your heavenly Father. You have delivered your soul; their sin no longer rests upon you; you are not now partaker of their sin. But if they perish, their blood is upon their own head. {2T 53.2}[8]
§19
亲爱的朋友，你心中必须发生彻底的转变，否则你将被称在天平里，显出亏欠。某地的教会，尤其是教会中多言多语的姐妹，有一个功课要学。“若有人[或女人]自以为虔诚，却不勒住他的舌头，反欺哄自己的心，这人的虔诚是虚的”（雅1:26）。许多人在这件极重要事上都要被称在天平里显出亏欠。遵循这教训的基督徒在哪里呢？谁愿站在上帝一边反对说坏话的人呢？谁愿讨上帝的喜悦，不断禁止自己的口，把守自己的嘴呢（诗141:3）？要不说任何一个人的坏话，也不听任何一个人的坏话。若没有人听，也就会没有人说坏话了。若有任何一个人在你面前说坏话，就要制止他。不论说这话之人的态度和声调是多么柔和，你也要拒绝再听。他也许故作亲热，却在暗地里诋毁中伤人的品格。【2T.54.1】[9]
§20
Dear friend, an entire transformation must take place in you, or you will be weighed in the balance and found wanting. The church at -----, especially talking women, have a lesson to learn. If any man [or woman] among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this mans religion is vain. Many will be weighed in the balance and found wanting in this matter of so great importance. Where are the Christians who walk by this rule? who will take Gods part against the evilspeaker? who will please God, and set a watch, a continual watch, before the mouth, and keep the door of the lips? Speak evil of no man. Hear evil of no man. If there be no hearers, there will be no speakers of evil. If anyone speaks evil in your presence, check him. Refuse to hear him, though his manner be ever so soft and his accents mild. He may profess attachment, and yet throw out covert hints and stab the character in the dark. {2T 54.1}[9]
§21
虽然那拨弄是非的人抱怨说是心里难过忍不住才说的，你也要坚定拒听。他们确实难过！因为心里有离间密友的邪恶秘密。心里难过的人们哪，要去按照上帝指定的方法使自己解脱。先趁着只有你弟兄和你在一处的时候，指出他的错来。他若不听，你就另外带一两个朋友同去，当着他们的面与他说话。如果这步也失败了，就把这事告诉教会。这事一点儿不可让不信的人知道。告诉教会是最后要采取的步骤。不要将事情公之于我们信仰的仇敌。他们没有权利知道教会的事，免得将跟从基督之人的软弱与错误暴露出来。【2T.54.2】[10]
§22
Resolutely refuse to hear, though the whisperer complains of being burdened till he speak. Burdened indeed! with a cursed secret which separateth very friends. Go, burdened ones, and free yourselves from your burden in Gods appointed way. First go tell your brother his fault between you and him alone. If this fail, next take with you one or two friends, and tell him in their presence. If these steps fail, then tell it to the church. Not an unbeliever is to be made acquainted with the slightest particular of the matter. Telling it to the church is the last step to be taken. Publish it not to the enemies of our faith. They have no right to the knowledge of church matters, lest the weakness and errors of Christs followers be exposed. {2T 54.2}[10]
§23
那些正在为基督降临作预备的人应当谨慎自守，警醒，祷告，因为我们的仇敌魔鬼，如同吼叫的狮子，遍地游行，寻找可吞吃的人，我们要用坚固的信心抵挡他（彼前5:8,9）。“人若爱生命，愿享美福，须要禁止舌头不出恶言，嘴唇不说诡诈的话；也要离恶行善；寻求和睦，一心追赶。因为，主的眼看顾义人；主的耳听他们的祈祷”（彼前3:10-12）。【2T.54.3】[11]
§24
Those who are preparing for the coming of Christ should be sober and watch unto prayer, for our adversary, the devil, goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour; whom we are to resist steadfast in the faith. He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers.{2T 54.3}[11]