【5.29】制伏舌头 Taming The Tongue


“看哪,最小的火能点着最大的树林。舌头就是火 …。” – 雅 3:5-6

多年以来,我们一家曾多次经历过森林大火带来的烦恼。有一次,一场森林大火蔓延到距离我们的家只有一公里的地方,火势才受到控制;因为发生了火灾,我们要更改我们的渡假计划;还有好几次,由于着火后外面的空气质量太差,我们甚少离家外出。每一场的大火,开始时都是细小的火花,但燃烧起来便成为熊熊烈焰的人间地狱了。

雅各说,不适当的言语就像引发火灾的火花,两者都会带来不可估量的伤害。一点点流言蜚语被传播出去了,有谁能知道它会带来多么严重的伤害。随便说出的一句闲话,可能会中伤了一个人、令他终生留下疤痕。最可悲的是,我有可能就是说那些话的那个人。

有一个好消息告诉我们说圣灵所结的果子就是节制。纵使“舌头没有人能制伏,”然而神的灵却能节制它。当我们与圣灵保持一致时,我们便会留意到,圣灵正在帮助我们控制我们的言语舌头。雅各说:有了“从上头来的智慧,”在生活上的各方面,我们便可以有节制。从神而来的智慧带来和平、恩慈、谦卑、怜悯等等美好的果子,这就是按神的旨意活出的生命。

祷告

我们在天上的父,求你帮助我们控制我们的舌头。惟愿我们的言语能敬畏你,荣耀你。奉耶稣名祈求,阿们。

雅各书 3:1-12, 17-18

1我的弟兄们,不要多人做师傅,因为晓得我们要受更重的判断。
2原来我们在许多事上都有过失。若有人在话语上没有过失,他就是完全人,也能勒住自己的全身。
3我们若把嚼环放在马嘴里,叫它顺服,就能调动他的全身。
4看哪,船只虽然甚大,又被大风催逼,只用小小的舵就随着掌舵的意思转动。
5这样,舌头在百体里也是最小的,却能说大话。看哪,最小的火能点着最大的树林!
6舌头就是火,在我们百体中舌头是个罪恶的世界,能污秽全身,也能把生命的轮子点起来,并且是从地狱里点着的。
7各类的走兽、飞禽、昆虫、水族本来都可以制伏,也已经被人制伏了;
8唯独舌头,没有人能制伏,是不止息的恶物,满了害死人的毒气。
9我们用舌头颂赞那为主、为父的,又用舌头咒诅那照着神形象被造的人。
10颂赞和咒诅从一个口里出来,我的弟兄们,这是不应当的!
11泉源从一个眼里能发出甜苦两样的水吗?
12我的弟兄们,无花果树能生橄榄吗?葡萄树能结无花果吗?咸水里也不能发出甜水来。
17唯独从上头来的智慧,先是清洁,后是和平、温良、柔顺、满有怜悯、多结善果、没有偏见、没有假冒;
18并且使人和平的,是用和平所栽种的义果。

Taming The Tongue

“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire. . . . ” – James 3:5-6

Over the years our family has had many brushes with forest fires. At one point a forest fire came to within a kilometer of our house before being brought under control. We have had vacation plans altered because of wildfires, and on other occasions we seldom left our home because of the poor air quality. Each of these fires began with a spark and a tiny flame before becoming a raging inferno.

James writes that poorly chosen words are like sparks that cause a great fire. Both bring immeasurable damage. A little gossip runs its course, and who knows how much damage it causes! A careless word is spoken, and a person is left wounded and scarred for a lifetime. Sadly, I may be the one who uttered those words.

The good news is that the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Though “no human being can tame the tongue,” the Spirit of God can. When we walk in step with the Spirit, we will notice that the Spirit helps us to control our tongues. And, says James, “with the wisdom that comes from heaven,” self-control in other areas of life follows. Godly wisdom brings peace, love, humility, mercy, and good fruit for life the way God intends it to be.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to control our tongues. May our words bring honor and glory to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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