【特稿】勒住自己的舌頭

 

p4 2讓人勒住自己的舌頭絕非易事。但是,舌頭發出來的聲音可以使人得益處,也可以使人受損害,一劍二刃。俗語說:"病從口入,禍從口出",許多的 "禍" 都是舌頭惹的!

舌頭在百體裡也是最小的,卻能說大話。看哪!最小的火能點著最大的樹林,舌頭就是火,在我們百體中舌頭是個罪惡的世界,也能把生命的輪子點起來,並且是從地獄裡點著的。各類的走獸、飛禽、昆蟲、水族,本來都可以制服,也已經被人制服了,唯獨舌頭沒有人能制服,是不止息的惡物,滿了害死人的毒氣。(雅各書3:5-8)

前不久發生了這樣一件事:一位女青年跳樓自殺了,原因很簡單,只因一句話。有一天,幾個年輕人休息時圍在一起聊天,不知不覺就扯到女青年身上了,有個前幾天受過她批評的人說:"她呀,也不是個正經人,幾天前我就看到她和一個男人在河邊走。"沒想到這句毫無根據的話被多嘴的人當桃色新聞傳揚開來,而且越傳越像,越說越邪,居然被傳得有聲有色活靈活現。後來,消息反饋到她和她的未婚夫耳中,引起了一陣糾紛,而她自己有口說不清,最後以自殺表示清白,鬧出人命案來。而那位最初扯謊說閑話的人後來十分痛心地說:"其實,我只是隨便說的,沒想到她......" 他不知道,"說者無心,聽者有意",結果麻煩就來了,竟鬧出了人命!

言語對我們人生的成敗,關鍵至大。有許多人,不懂得這個道理,喜歡批評人、指責人,說人過失,巧舌如簧,卻詞不達意;浮文巧語,或傷及無辜,或為自己惹來禍端。"說話浮躁的,如刀刺人;智慧人的舌頭,卻為醫人的良藥。"(箴言12:18)

在西元前六世紀的古希臘,有一個善講寓言故事的人,他的名字叫伊索。《狼和小羊》、《農夫和蛇》等家喻戶曉的優秀寓言,都是他創作出來的。伊索生活的時代,正是奴隸制時期。伊索從十幾歲起,也曾作為 "會說話的工具",被賣到一個奴隸主家裡。有一次,主人吩咐他備辦一餐豐盛的酒宴,並特意告訴他:宴請的客人都是有學問的人,要設法弄最好的菜招待這些貴賓。

什麼是宴請這些客人最好的菜呢?聰明的伊索想來想去,終於拿定了主意。他弄來各種各樣的動物舌頭,獨出心裁地備好了一餐舌頭宴。盛宴開始,主人一看端上來的"舌菜",大吃一驚,怒衝衝地問這是怎麼一回事。

伊索從容地答道:"舌頭是引領各種學問的關鍵。人們有了舌頭才能講話,才能學習知識,宣傳道理。這 '舌菜',就是提醒我們要善待自己的舌頭。"。 "他們的舌頭是毒箭,說話詭詐;人與鄰舍口說和平話,心卻謀害他。"(耶利米書9:8)舌頭何其毒也!

論語(12。3)中說:司馬牛問仁。子曰:"仁者,其言也訒。" 曰:"其言也訒,斯謂之仁已乎?"子曰:"為之難,言之得無訒乎?" 其意是:司馬牛問孔子,怎樣做才是仁。孔子說:"仁人說話是慎重的。"司馬牛說:"說話慎重,這就叫做仁了嗎?"孔子說:"做起來很困難,說起來能不慎重嗎?"

孔子言語的特點,多是從特殊到一般,從具體到普遍,從生活到哲學。針對司馬牛的"多言而躁",告訴他作為人,說話應小心謹慎。為什麼說話要小心謹慎?孔子講出的卻是大哲理:"為之難,言之得無訒乎?"這就是一般的、普遍的、哲學的,可?發所有人的教誨了。

所謂"口為禍福之門"。 "善人從他心裡所存在的善,就發出善來:惡人從他心裡所存在的惡,就發出惡來"(馬太福音12:35)。舌頭的重要性就在於此。

《坎特伯雷故事集》裡的一句話:"害人的舌頭比魔鬼還厲害......,上帝仁慈為懷,特地在舌頭外面築起一排牙齒,一排嘴唇,好讓人們在開口說話之前多加考慮。"這是文學家的文學語言,生動、形象,意思就是說,說話前要多加考慮,要負責任,不能出口傷人,損害別人。其實,言為心聲,語言受思想支配,反映一個人的思想道德。所以,單靠牙齒和嘴唇還是封鎖不住語言的,關鍵在於依靠道德觀念和神的聖靈來約束。

要勒住自己的舌頭,"若有人自以為虔誠,卻不勒住他的舌頭,反欺哄自己的心,這人的虔誠是虛的。"(雅各書1:26)我們切莫口不擇言,口蜜腹劍,口是心非,惡言相向,造謠中傷,大放厥詞,文過飾非,因為言語上的惡同樣是犯罪。

要勒住自己的舌頭,不是不讓人說話,而是不說使人不悅、不快、不敬而受損害的話,諸如挑撥離間,搬弄是非,造謠中傷,而應該多說使人得鼓勵、得幫助、得益處的話。"多言多語難免有過,禁止嘴唇是有智慧。"(箴言10:19)

要勒住自己的舌頭,是要治惡揚善。對一切美好善良的事要多說,大聲地說,反複地說,放開自己的舌頭去說。同樣,對於世界上的罪惡,苟合、偷盜、凶殺、奸淫、貪婪、邪惡、詭詐......(馬可福音7:21),我們不能勒住自己的舌頭,而是要挺身而出,敢於在風口浪尖與罪惡(魔鬼)作正面交鋒。

"愛人不可虛假,惡要厭惡,善要親近。"(羅馬書12:9)我們有神的聖靈為依托,對 "犯罪的人,當在眾人面前責備他,叫其餘的人,也可以懼怕。"(提摩太前書5:20)這才是舌頭的真正作用。

要勒住自己的舌頭,不僅是我們人生的素質修養,也是我們人格品行的最高境界。"有何人喜好存活,愛慕長壽,得享美福,就要禁止舌頭不出惡言,嘴唇不說詭詐的話,要離惡行善,尋求和睦,一心追趕。"(詩篇34:12-14)

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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