Jun. 2, 2019 奉承 Flattery－Eric@TRM 的部落格

復原耶穌基督教會 台灣佈道所

June 2nd, 2019 奉承 Flattery

法蘭克長老 Elder Frank Van Fleet

The Church of Jesus Christ

Taiwan Restoration Mission

我今天想談到的主題是 “奉承 Flattery”, 查看字面, 這實在是一個負面的詞, 是不是? 其實如何奉承別人, 而不被當成讒媚或巴結, 很難拿捏, 或者直接用讚美, 效果可能會更好.

另外, “Eric, 我早上有傳檔案給你, 是關於今早上課的內容, 有收到吧?” [有, 已經轉傳給Paul和其他人了, 謝謝].

[詩歌 #266 頌唱] [Luke Zahniser 課前禱告]

[主領我說 Lord, Speak to Me that I May Speak]

“我們每日的糧食Our Daily Bread” 是提供為每一個人和家庭, 日常的禱告, 所需要的題材精選報導, 很適合大家訂閱.

其中有一篇由 “大衛麥卡斯蘭 David McCasland”, 在幾年前所撰寫的主題 “誰擁有我的嘴唇Who owns my lips” 引起我的興趣.

今天, 我將就這主題來解釋, 對我來說, 它是重要的話題, 期望你們也會有興趣, 一起來深入了解一下.

詩篇-Psalms 12:1-6

12:1 耶和華阿，求你拯救，因虔誠人斷絕了，忠信人已經從世人中間消失了。

Save, O Jehovah; for the faithful man is no more, For the trustworthy have vanished from among the sons of men.

12:2 人人向鄰舍說虛謊的話；他們說話，是嘴唇油滑，心口不一。

Each man speaks falsehood with his neighbor; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

12:3 凡油滑的嘴唇，說誇大話的舌頭，願耶和華剪除；

May Jehovah cut off all the flattering lips, The tongue speaking great things,

12:4 他們曾說，我們必能以舌頭得勝；我們的嘴唇是我們自己的；誰能作我們的主呢？

Those who said, With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own: Who is our lord?

12:5 耶和華說，因為困苦人所受的蹂躪，因為窮乏人的歎息，我現在要起來，把他安置在他所切慕的穩妥之地。

Because of the devastation of the poor, because of the sighing of the needy, I will now arise, says Jehovah; I will set him in the safety that he longs for.

12:6 耶和華的言語，是純淨的言語，如同地上爐中煉過的銀子，精煉過七次。

The words of Jehovah are pure words, Silver refined in a furnace on the earth, Purified seven times.

大衛王感傷的情緒, 來自他所管轄的王國, 從敬神的和信靠神的社會, 慢慢的變化為讒媚、巴結、奉承的世態, 而不再對 神忠心不二.

世人甚至大言不慚, 嘴巴和舌頭都是我們自己的, 有誰能管的住它, 誰又能作我們的主呢? 等等言詞, 在在顯示浮誇的人, 日益增多.

口舌是自己的沒錯, 如若能有效管控, 或能得到ㄧ些成果, 但是浮誇的言語, 日後將被剪除; 奉承或讚美, 實在是一體兩面的事, 如何區分呢? 端看出口時的動機, 如若心存讚美,就是鼓勵好話, 反之就是壞話了.

讚美的話, 常帶有欣賞的韻味, 是真心的; 奉承的話, 多半是無心卻有意- 為了達成某個目的, 或想得到甚麼而為. 所以奉承的話, 絕不是真心的, 還有著操控、完勝的心.

回到大衛的主題 “誰擁有我的嘴唇Who owns my lips”, 確實是一個自省的好題目, 一再的提醒我們, 假使我們想要以奉承來達成某些目的, 必須謹慎避免出口.

正如前言, 我的唇舌自己管控, 當然可以隨心所欲的, 甚至口無遮攔; 但是這不是基督徒的面貌, 我們應該要讓耶和華來管控我們的唇舌, 使我們的言行, 和耶和華如出一轍, 如同本節經文所說, “耶和華的言語, 是純淨的言語, 如同地上爐中煉過的銀子, 精煉過七次.”

出埃及記-Exodus 4:10-12

4:10 摩西對耶和華說，主阿，我向來不是能言的人，就是從你對僕人說話以後，還是這樣；我本是拙口笨舌的。

And Moses said to Jehovah, Please, Lord, I am not a man of words, neither in the past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.

4:11 耶和華對他說，誰使人有口？誰使人口啞、耳聾、目明、眼瞎？豈不是我耶和華麼？

And Jehovah said to him, Who gave man a mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf or seeing or blind? Is it not I, Jehovah?

4:12 現在去罷，我必賜你口才，指教你所當說的話。

Now go therefore, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you shall speak.

摩西受呼召, 來到 神的面前, 自忖口才不便給, 如何以言語服眾; 神對他說, 你說我的話, 我必賜你口才, 指教你所當說的話.

如前所說, 奉承別人的話, 多半帶有目的或想操控別人, 以達成目的; 讚美的言語, 卻是出自真心的欣賞和鼓勵.

以下是奉承的實例, 來自魔鬼的誘惑, 詭計使人由好變質轉為壞.

尼腓二書 2 Nephi 12:23-28

２３　因為魔鬼的國度一定要震動，那些屬於這國的，必須被喚醒而悔改，否則魔鬼必用永恆的鎖鏈來緊抓住他們，使他們激起怒氣而滅亡。

23 For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger and perish:

２４　因為在那曰子，他必使人類兒女的心中狂怒，激起他們對那美好的事物發怒；

24 For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good;

２５　他還要安撫另外的人們，將他們哄進那肉體的安全感，以致他們要說：在錫安內一切都好；錫安繁榮了，一切都很好。

25 And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say, All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well;

２６　魔鬼這樣哄騙著他們的靈魂，小心地將他們帶下地獄。

26 And thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.

２７　他還要用巧言把別的人騙走，告訴他們地獄是沒有的；他對他們說：我不是魔鬼，因為本來就沒有魔鬼。

27 And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them, I am no devil, for there is none:

２８　他這樣在他們耳中低語著，直到用他那可怕的鎖鏈緊套他們，從此得不到解脫。

28 And thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.

我自己的體驗見證到, 壞朋友的唆使, “需要這麼虔誠嘛?” 就這樣, 曾經使我和我太太, 一度離 神越來越遠.

壞朋友始終不信 神, 最終以自殺結束生命, 幾番掙扎終於斷開他的唆使, 我夫婦倆也憣然醒悟, 祈求 神的寬恕, 重新回到祂的懷抱. 以下是其它章節裡, 著名的實例分享:

Examples:

雅各書 Jacob 5:1-31

１　過了幾年後，尼腓人中來了一個人，他的名字是歇任。

1 And now it came to pass after some years had passed away, there came a man among the people of Nephi, whose name was Sherem

２　他開始在他們之中講道，對他們說基督是不會有的了。

2 And it came to pass that he began to preach among the people, and to declare unto them that there should be no Christ.

３　他宣講許多使人民聽著得意的事情；他這樣做是想推翻基督的教義。

3 And he preached many things which were flattering unto the people; and this he did that he might overthrow the doctrine of Christ.

４　他努力地工作著，想把這人民的心誘入歧途，以致果然有許多的心被他誘入了歧途。

4 And he labored diligently that he might lead away the hearts of the people, insomuch that he did lead away many hearts;

５　因為他知道我，雅各，對那位要來臨的基督具有信心，他找許來機會來見我。

5 And he knowing that I, Jacob, had faith in Christ who should come, he sought much opportunity that he might come unto me.

６　他是有學問的，完全通曉這人民語言；因此，他能按照魔鬼的力量，使用許多的嫍媚和說話的力量。

6 And he was learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery, and much power of speech, according to the power of the devil.

７　他存著動搖信心的希望；雖則我關於這些事已蒙受許多的啟示，也看到許多的事情，因為我曾確實看到了天使們，他們曾對我施助。

7 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations, and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me.

８　我也曾不時聽到上主的聲音確切對我講話；因此，我是決不會搖動的。

8 And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.

９　他來見我，這樣對我說：雅各弟兄，我多次找機會想和你講話；因為我聽到也知道你非常盡力宣講你所謂的基督的教義。

9 And it came to pass that he came unto me; and on this wise did he speak unto me, saying: Brother Jacob, I have sought much opportunity that I might speak unto you: for I have heard and also know, that thou goest about much, preaching that which ye call the gospel, or the doctrine of Christ;

１０　你把這人民的許多人帶上了歧途，使他們歪曲了　神的正道，不遵守那正道摩西律法；並轉變摩律法為崇拜一個你說要在好幾百年後來臨的人。

10 And ye have led away much of this people, that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses, which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being, which ye say shall come many hundred years hence.

１１　現在我，歇任，對你說是這是一種對　神的褻瀆；因為沒人知道這些事情的。因為他決不能知道將來的事情。

11 And now, behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you, that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things: for he can not tell of things to come.

１２ 歇任就像這樣和我爭論著。

12 And after this manner did Sherem contend against me.

１３　但是，上主　神將他的靈灌進了我的靈魂中，以致我在所有的話語上駁斥了他。

13 But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.

１４　我對他說：你否認那位要來臨的基督嗎？

14 And I said unto him, Deniest thou the Christ which shall come?

１５　他說：如果確有一位基督，我不會否認他；但我知道現在沒有基督，以前也沒有，將來也不會有。

15 And he said, If there should be a Christ, I would not deny him; but I know that there is no Christ, neither has been, nor ever will be.

１６　我對他說：你相信經文嗎？

16 And I said unto him, Believest thou the scriptures?

１７　他說：相信。

17 And he said, Yea.

１８　我對他說：那末你不瞭解經文；因為經文確實為基督作證。

18 And I said unto him, Then ye do not understand them; for they truly testify of Christ.

１９　看啊，我告訴你，所有的先知們，除非他們曾說過關於基督的話，沒有一位有記載過或預言過。

19 Behold, I say unto you, that none of the prophets have written, nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ.

２０　不僅如此；這事還曾向我顯示過，因為我曾聽到並看到；也是藉著聖靈力量向我顯示的；

20 And this is not all: it has been made manifest unto me, for I have heard and seen; and it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost;

２１　因此，我知道如果沒有救贖，全人類都必失去。

21 Wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made, all mankind must be lost.

２２　他對我說：你在聖靈的力量中知道了那麼多，就請你用這種力量顯一個神蹟給我看。

22 And it came to pass that he said unto me, Shew me a sign by this power of the Holy Ghost, in the which ye know so much.

２３　我對他說：我是什麼人。敢在你知道這是真實的事情上試探　神顯一個神蹟給你看？

23 And I said unto him, What am I, that I should tempt God to shew unto thee a sign, in the thing which thou knowest to be true?

２４　但你還是會否認的，因為你是屬於魔鬼的。

24 Yet, thou wilt deny it, because thou art of the devil.

２５　然而，不是為了要照我的意思做成；但是如果　神要責罰你，就讓那責罰作為一個　神蹟，使你知道他在天上和地上都是有權力的；也使你知道基督一定要來的。

25 Nevertheless, not my will be done; but if God shall smite thee, let that be a sign unto thee that he has power, both in heaven and in earth; and also, that Christ shall come.

２６　上主啊，願照你的旨意做成，不是照我的意思。

26 And thy will, O Lord, be done, and not mine.

２７　當我，雅各，講了這些話，上主的力量就臨到他，以致他倒在地上。

27 And it came to pass that when I, Jacob, had spoken these words, the power of the Lord came upon him, insomuch that he fell to the earth.

２８　他調養了好多天。

28 And it came to pass that he was nourished for the space of many days.

２９　他對人民說：你們明天集合起來，因為我要死了；我希望在我死前對人民講一次話。

29 And it came to pass that he said unto the people, Gather together on the morrow, for I shall die; wherefore, I desire to speak unto the people, before I shall die.

３０　第二天群眾聚集在一起；他很明白地對他們講話，否認所教導他們的那些事，並承認基督，聖靈的力量，和天使們的施助。

30 And it came to pass that on the morrow, the multitude were gathered together; and he spake plainly unto them, and denied the things which he had taught them; and confessed the Christ, and the power of the Holy Ghost, and the ministering of angels.

３１　他明白地對他們說，他被魔鬼的力量欺騸了。

31 And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the devil.

此例說的是歇任 Sherem這個人, 被魔鬼所誘惑, 後來悔改祈求 神的寬恕.

摩賽亞書 Mosiah 11:159-178

１５９　摩賽亞的兒子們被算在不信者之中；阿爾瑪的一個兒子也算在他們之中，他名叫阿爾瑪，和他父親同名；而他已成為一個邪惡和偶像崇拜的人了。

159 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelivers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless he became a very wicked man and an idolatrous man.

１６０　他也是一個很會說話的人，他對人民說了許多花言巧語的話；因此他引誘了許多人民照著他的罪惡去做。

160 And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people: therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

１６１　他成為上主的教會發達的一大障礙；誘竊著人民的心；在人民中引起許多叛離；給予　神的敵人一個對他們行使他權力的機會。

161 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people, causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.

１６２　正當他在從事破壞　神的教會的時候－－－－－因他確曾與摩賽亞的兒子們暗中設法破壞教會，引誘上主的人民走上歧途，違反著　神的誡命，或國王的命令－－

162 And now it came to pass that while he was going about to destroy the church of God: for he did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord, contrary to the commandments of God, or even the king;

１６３　如我對你們所說的，正當他們從事背叛　神的時候，上主的天使向他們顯現了；他好像在一朵雲裏降下；他用一種像雷鳴的聲音說話，使他們所站的地方發生了震動。

163 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood;

１６４　他們大為驚駭，紛紛倒在地上，聽不懂他對他們所講的話。

164 And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them.

１６５　雖然如此，但他再大聲說：阿爾瑪，起來，站過來，你為何迫害　神的教會呢？

165 Nevertheless he cried again, saying, Alma, arise, and stand forth, for why persecuteth thou the church of God?

１６６　上主曾說過；這是我的教會， 我要確立這教會；沒有東西可以推翻這教會。除非由於我人民的犯罪。

166 For the Lord hath said, This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people.

１６７　天使又說：上主已聽到了他的人民的禱告，也已聽到了他的僕人阿爾瑪，也就是你父親的禱告，

167 And again, the angel said, Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant Alma, who is thy father:

１６８　他曾用極大的信心為你禱告，使你得以知道真理；

168 For he has prayed with much faith concerning thee, that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth;

１６９　所以，我為了這一個目的而來，要使你確信　神的能力和權柄，使他僕人們的禱告得以照著他們的信心而得到回答。

169 Therefore for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.

１７０　現在，你能爭辯　神的能力嗎？

170 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God?

１７１　看啊，我的聲音不是在震動大地嗎？

171 For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth?

１７２　你不是也看到了我在你面前嗎？

172 And can ye not also behold me before you?

１７３　我是從　神那裏派來的。

173 And I am sent from God.

１７４　現在我對你：去吧，記住你祖先們在亥侖地和尼腓地被俘；也記住他曾為他們做了何等偉大的事情；他們曾在束縛中，而他解救了他們。

174 Now I say unto thee, Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them: for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them.

１７５　現在我對你說，阿爾瑪，你去吧，不要再想破壞教會，好使他們的禱告得到回答，他們的禱告一定會得到回答的，即使你願意你自己被丟棄。

175 And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered; and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.

１７６　這些是天使對阿爾瑪所講的最後的話，他離開了。

176 And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed.

１７７　阿爾瑪和那些跟他在一起的人又倒在地上，他們的驚異實在太大了；因為他們已經親眼看到一位上主的天使；他聲音像雷鳴，震動大地。

177 And now Alma, and those that were with him, fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord; and his voice was as thunder, which shook the earth;

１７８　他們知道除了　神的力量外，沒有東西能夠震動大地並使它發抖，像要裂開一樣。

178 And they knew that there was nothing save the power of God, that could shake the earth and cause it to tremble, as though it would part asunder.

而此例則是阿爾瑪Alma, 對於 神的事, 無不破壞, 直到天使現身眼前, 直斥他的荒誕, 他才悔改祈求寬恕, 自此誠心的做一個傳道人.