Manna issue 75 - Between Complacency and Pride 自滿與驕傲
Are you satisfied with your spiritual life? 你滿意自已的靈修生活嗎？
Jordan Kwok—Newcastle, U.K.
英國紐卡索 Jordan Kwok
During a discussion on the topic of
faith, one youth posed a question
about overcoming complacency
and pride in our faith and service to
God. As youths who are beginning
to have responsibilities in church,
we may easily develop a sense of
self-confidence and self-entitlement
towards our faith. We become
comfortable with our spiritual lives
because we are always in church—we
attend every service and fellowship,
and we do many good deeds. Our
peaceful lives and our service to God
make us feel as though we are right
in our faith and better placed than
others who don’t do as much as we.
But if we harbor such complacency,
it can result in pride. In order to
overcome complacency and pride,
we must understand the biblical
views and adopt the mind-set of
humility.
在討論信心的主題的時候，一位年輕人提出一個有關在信仰和服事神的事上，如何克服自滿和驕傲的問題。
隨著有更多年輕人開始負擔教會工作的責任，我們或許很容易發展出對我們信仰的自信，或是自以為有某種特殊的權利。
我們對自已的靈修生活，就變得容易放鬆，因為我們已經在教會裡面了 - 我們參加每一次的聚會和團契活動，並且我們也作了很多善事。
我們平安的生活，和我們服事神的工作，會讓我們感覺到，好像我們在信仰的事上，都是對的，並且比別人更好，因為別人並沒有像我們作了這麼多的事。
但是，若我們內心懷藏了這種自滿的心態，最後可能會導致驕傲的產生。
為了能夠克服自滿和驕傲，我們一定要明白聖經的觀點，採取謙卑的心態。
HOW DOES COMPLACENCY DEVELOP INTO PRIDE? 自滿是怎麼發展成為驕傲呢？
The Cambridge Dictionary defines
“complacency” and “pride” as
follows:
劍橋字典訂義 " 自滿" 和 "驕傲" 如下：
Complacency: “a feeling of calm
satisfaction with your own abilities
or situation that prevents you from
trying harder.”1
自滿："一種平靜滿足的感覺，隨著自已的能力和情況，會阻礙你去更努力去嘗試。"
Pride: “the feelings of your own
self-worth, the belief that you are
better or more important than other
people.”2
驕傲："自已覺得很有價值的感覺，是一種信念，會相信你自已是比別人更好，或是更加重要的。"
Complacency develops when we
become satisfied with our spiritual
life. We are comfortable with the
position we are in—this may include
our faith, our relationship with God,
our service in church—and we see no
need to improve.
當我們對自已的靈修生活感到很滿足的時候，自滿就會更進一步的發展。
我們對自已所處的環境感到很自在時 - 這也包括我們的信心，我們和神的關係，我們在教會裡的事奉 - 並且認為沒有必要再進步了。
For we dare not class ourselves
or compare ourselves with those
who commend themselves. But
they, measuring themselves
by themselves, and comparing
themselves among themselves, are
not wise. (2 Cor 10:12)
12因為我們不敢將自己和那自薦的人同列相比。他們用自己度量自己，用自己比較自己，乃是不通達的
(林後 10：12)
Here, Paul talks about a group of
proud people in the church at Corinth
who commended themselves by
comparing themselves with others.
Likewise, when we are complacent,
we tend to compare ourselves with
others within the community of faith.
這裡，保羅說到，有一群驕傲的人在哥林多教會，他們會讚美稱讚自已，藉著把他們自已和別人來比較。
同樣的情況，當我們變得自滿的時候，我們很容易會在信仰的團契之中，拿我們自已來和別人來比較。
And when we compare, we open a
gateway into pride and downfall. We
see ourselves as strong, and others,
who are not like us, as weak. Paul
warns that such comparison is not
wise, since the yardstick they used to
judge is their own.
當我們在作比較的時候，我們就開啟了一扇門，去通往驕傲和敗壞之路。
我們看自已很強，而別人，並不像我們一樣，是很軟弱的。
保羅就警告，這種自滿的情況，並不聰明，因為他們所使用的標準來審判，實際上是在審判他們自已。
Instead, the standard of God should
be our yardstick. Jesus tells us that we
are known by the fruits we bear: a
good tree bears good fruit, a bad tree
bears bad fruit (Mt 7:16–20). Bearing
good fruit distinguishes us as the
disciples of Jesus and brings glory to
God (Jn 15:8). The Bible repeatedly
emphasizes on spiritual growth and
cultivation through bearing fruit. It
is our duty as disciples of Jesus to
strive for spiritual perfection and to
be more like Him.
反過來說，神的標準才是我們衡量的準則。
耶穌告訴我們，因著我們所結的果子，我們才被人所了解：好樹會長好果子，壞樹會長壞果子(太 7：16-20)。
結出好果子，可以把我們分別出來，被人看出是耶穌的門徒，並且把榮耀歸給神(約 15：8)。
聖經一再重覆強調要能靈性有成長，並且透過靈修而能結出好果子。
身為耶穌的門徒，我們的責任就是努力在靈性上追求完全，讓我們可以與耶穌更相似。
With this understanding, we can
reflect on the question: Does simply
attending every church event cause
us to bear good fruit and make us
better than those who do not attend?
有這種了解之後，我們可以想想這個問題：
若是只有參加每一次教會的活動，會讓我們長出好果子？會讓我們變得比沒有參加的人更好？
1 http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/complacency
2 http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pride
BEARING FRUIT 結出果子
In order to bear fruit, the Bible tells us
that we must walk in the Spirit (Gal
5:16), be led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18)
as well as hear and understand the
word (Mt 13:23).
為了結出果子，聖經告訴我們，我們一定要順著聖靈而行 (加 5：16)，
被聖靈引導 (加 5：18)，就好像能夠聽見，並且明白聖經的道理。 (太 13：23)
First, we must submit to the Spirit.
Submission requires humility to
deny ourselves and realize our own
weaknesses. During His life on earth,
Jesus declared that “the Son can do
nothing of Himself” (Jn 5:19) and
that it is “the Father who dwells in Me
[who] does the works” (Jn 14:10).
Similarly, we cannot grow and bear
fruit without God, just as a branch
cannot bear fruit without the vine (Jn
15:1–8). Without God’s Spirit, we are
merely flesh and naturally, can only
produce the works of the flesh (Gal
5:19–21), which are contrary to the
Spirit.
首先，我們一定要順從聖靈。
要順服會需要有謙卑，能夠看自已的卑微的，並且明白我們自已的軟弱。
神在世上的日子，耶穌宣稱 "子憑著自己不能做甚麼"(約 5：19)，只有"住在我裡面的父做他自己的事"(約 14：10)。
同樣地，沒有神，我們不能成長，也不能結出果子，就像是樹枝沒有接在葡萄樹上，就不能結果子(約 5：1-8)。
若沒有神的靈，我們不過是肉體而已，自然而然，只能產生肉體能作的工作 (加 5：19-21)，這是和聖靈的工作相反。
Recognizing this is the first step
towards humility—every fruit we
bear is through God and from God.
This applies to both our service to
God and our faith. Humility also
helps us to recognize God’s great
love and grace; He provides us with
His Spirit to enable us to serve and to
grow, although we are sinful beings
of the flesh.
認識到這一點，才是謙卑的第一步 - 我們所能結出的果子，每一個都是透過神，並且是來自於神。
這種原則也同樣適用於我們服事神，和我們信心的成長。
謙卑也幫助我們，來認識神的大愛和恩典；
祂賜給我們聖靈，讓我們可以來服事和成長，雖然我們在肉體上，是一種容易犯罪的存在。
Next, to bear fruit, we must subject
to and be led by the Spirit. We need
to live an active spiritual life, hand in
hand with God, allowing the Spirit
to guide us in all that we do. God’s
Spirit enables us to act according to
God’s principles and live a holy life.
Through constant prayers, we will
be strengthened by God, despite the
challenges we may face in our daily
lives and in our service to God.
接下來，要結果子，我們一定要順服聖靈，讓聖靈引導我們。
我們需有活出一個積極的屬靈生活，和神手牽著手，讓聖靈在我們一切所作的事上，引導我們。
神的靈讓我們可以依造神的原則來行動，過著聖潔的生活。
透過不斷的禱告，我們會被神加添力量，雖然在我們每日的生活中，以及在服事神的事上，都要不斷面對各種挑戰。
Finally, to bear fruit we must hear
and understand God’s word. On top
of attending services and diligently
studying the Bible, we need to
ponder over the Scriptures’ teachings
and apply them in our daily lives. By
doing so, we will not only have faith
but we will also have works. Through
humility in spiritual cultivation, God
will allow our fruits to grow.
最後，要結果子，我們一定要聽從神，明白神的話。
除了要一直參加聚會，並且要努力查考聖經之外，我們需要了好好思考聖經的教導，並且能夠在生活中好好的實行。
這麼作，我們不但會有信心，而滿也會有實際作出來的行動。
在靈修中不斷的學習謙卑，神就會讓我們的果子可以成長。
By understanding the standards of
God and maintaining a humble mindset,
we can quench complacency
before it begins and prevent pride
from developing in us.
藉著了解神的標準，維持一個謙卑的心態，我們就能夠克制自滿，在它開始生長之前，就可以抑制，阻止它在我們身上成長為驕傲。
PAUL’S EXAMPLE 保羅的模範
In his epistles, Paul shared how he
overcame pride from complacency.
Paul was a mighty apostle who
worked zealously for God. It would
have been reasonable for people
to look up to him, follow him as a
spiritual leader, and praise him for
his faith. Such accolades could have
easily made Paul proud. But what did
he actually think?
在他的書信裡，保羅分享了，他是如何從自滿的狀態，如何克服驕傲的產生。
保羅是一位大有能力的使徒，他很熱心的為主工作。
對人來說，仰望學習他的模範是很合理的，他就好像一個屬靈的領導者，帶領著大家，大家也稱讚他的信心。
這些稱讚的聲音，很容易讓保羅變得驕傲。
但是實際上他的想法又是什麼呢？
For I am the least of the apostles,
who am not worthy to be called an
apostle, because I persecuted the
church of God. But by the grace of
God I am what I am, and His grace
toward me was not in vain; but I
labored more abundantly than they
all, yet not I, but the grace of God
which was with me. (1 Cor 15:9–10)
9我原是使徒中最小的，不配稱為使徒，因為我從前逼迫神的教會。
10然而，我今日成了何等人，是蒙神的恩才成的，並且他所賜我的恩不是徒然的。我比眾使徒格外勞苦；這原不是我，乃是神的恩與我同在。
(林前 15：9-10)
Paul understood that because of
his past, he was unworthy to serve
God or be called an apostle. He knew
that it was only by God’s grace that
he became an apostle and could serve
the way he did. This self-realization
as well as the love and mercy of God
motivated him to labor for the Lord’s
ministry. In the Book of Ephesians,
Paul reiterated that he was the least
of all believers, and that it was only
through God’s grace that he could
preach (Eph 3:8). This was Paul’s
humility.
保羅明白因為他過去的事情，他是不配來服事神的，或是不配稱為使徒。
他知道，因為透過神的恩典，他才變成一位使徒，他也才能作他所能服事神的事。
就因為有這樣的自我了解，再加上有神的愛和恩典，深深的感動他，讓他努力為了主的福音來勞苦工作。
在以弗所書裡面，保羅一再重申，他是所有的信徒之中，最小的一位，因為神的恩典，如今他才能宣揚神的福音 (弗 3：8)。
這就是保羅的謙卑。
CONCLUSION 結論
Taking every opportunity to attend
services and fellowships, and to
participate in church work is good and
plays a key role in spiritual cultivation.
But if we are not vigilant, we will
easily fall into the complacency trap.
And when we allow complacency to
develop, it will lead to pride.
把握所有的機會，來參加聚會，去參加團契 ，去參加教會的工作，才是最好的，並且也是我們靈修最重要的部份。
但是我們若是不加警醒，我們就會容易落入自滿的陷井之中。
當我們讓自滿有進一步發展的機會時，它就會讓我們變得驕傲。
Conversely, if we understand that
God’s standards are far above ours,
we will pursue spiritual growth
through spiritual cultivation; we will
never feel complacent, but will strive
to bear fruit for the glory of God.
Ultimately, the key to overcoming
complacency and pride is humility,
acknowledging that everything we
do, from serving to bearing fruit, is
through the hand of God. Like Jesus
and Apostle Paul, with humility,
we submit to the Spirit and lead
a fruitful life filled with goodness,
righteousness, and truth (Eph 5:9).
反過來，若是我們了解神的標準是超過我們目前的狀態很多，我們就會透過靈修來追求靈性的成長；
我們就不會感到自滿，而會努力為了神的榮耀，來結出果子。
到最後，要克服自滿和驕傲的最有效的方法，就是謙卑，自已會承認，我們所作的任何事，從服事到結出果子一連串的過程中，都是透過神大能的手來完成的。
就像耶穌和使徒保羅，我們要懷著謙卑的心，順服聖靈，過著會結出善果的生活，讓生活中都充滿良善，公義和真理 (弗 5：9)
Once we are able to bear fruit, the
Lord will delight in us (Ps 147:11;
149:4). May God guide us to examine
ourselves (2 Cor 13:5) and to ensure
that we don’t compare ourselves with
others according to man’s standards;
rather, let us grow with humility in
the light of His word.
一旦我們可以結出果子，主耶穌就會對我們的行為感到喜悅(詩 147：11；149：4)。
願神引導我們作好自我審查(林後 13：5)，並且保証不會去用人的標準，拿我們自已來和別人比較；
反而讓我們可以在祂話語光亮的照耀指引下，能夠謙卑地逐漸成長。
If we understand that God’s standards are far above ours, we
will pursue spiritual growth through spiritual cultivation; we will
never feel complacent, but will strive to bear fruit for the glory of
God. Ultimately, the key to overcoming complacency and pride is
humility, acknowledging that everything we do, from serving to
bearing fruit, is through the hand of God.
若我們了解，神的標準是遠遠超過我們人的標準，我們就會透過靈修，來追求屬靈的成長；
我們就不會自已感到自滿，而會努力為了神的榮耀，來結出果子。
最終，要去克服自滿和驕傲的主要方法，就是謙卑，並且認知，我們所作的任何事，從服事到結果子，都是透過神的手。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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