【圣经是怎么讲 性ai 的】

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问：关于 性ai ，圣经里是怎么讲的？

今天让我们谈谈 性ai ，对，没错，就是“ 性ai ”。其实，关于 性ai 的课题，圣经提到了很多，你能想到的可能都是关于禁止婚前性行为的警示，认为性是不好的，然而圣经却讲得完全相反。如果从神性的角度来看，圣经里的 性ai 是圣洁的，那么圣经是怎么讲 性ai 的呢？

答： 性ai 是美好的。

什么？ 性ai 是美好的？是的，上帝创造了 性ai 。上帝造出男女，让男女造出孩子。圣经说 性ai 是夫妻（男人和女人）双方彼此间表达爱的方式，对，是“男人的丈夫与女人的妻子”之间。上帝创造的性是基于爱，因爱而表达出美好和快乐，但只限于一男一女的夫妻之间。

创世纪1:27-28 神就照着自己的形像造人，乃是照着祂的形像造男造女。 神就赐福给他们，又对他们说要生养众多。  

创世纪2:24 因此人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。

箴言5:18-19 要使你的泉源蒙福，要喜悦你幼年所娶的妻。他如可爱的麀鹿、可喜的母鹿，愿她的胸怀使你时时知足，她的爱情使你常常恋慕。  

雅歌7:6 我所爱的，你何其美好、何其可悦，使人欢畅喜乐。  

哥林多前书6:13身子不是为[关键词屏蔽]，乃是为主，主也是为身子。  

  

所以 性ai 是美好的，但婚前性行为是不好的吗？

对，是不好的。你的周遭布满了性的话题，“性”充斥着各种杂志、报纸、电视节目和电影，甚至成了很多音乐的焦点，我们的世界不再约束性，这就使婚前性行为成为被提倡的，因为有快感。但是圣经却并不认可这一点，上帝呼吁我们所有人都要控制自己的情欲，耐性等候婚姻。

哥林多前书7:2-3但要免[关键词屏蔽]的事，男子当各有自己的妻子，女子也当各有自己的丈夫。丈夫当用合宜之分待妻子，妻子待丈夫也要如此。

希伯来13:4 婚姻人人都当尊重，床也不可污秽，因为苟合行淫的人　神必要审判。  

帖撒罗尼迦前书4:3-4 神的旨意就是要你们成为圣洁、远避淫行，要你们各人晓得怎样用圣洁尊贵守着自己的身体。  

如果我已经有了婚前性行为怎么办？

每个人都会在这样或那样的方面犯罪，如果你恰好是在性的方面犯罪，那你还有得救的希望。虽然你无法再变回处男或处女，但是你能够得到上帝的宽恕，不过前提是你必须向上帝认罪，并且不再犯同样的罪。令上帝真正恼怒的是有意犯罪，就是你明知道这样做是犯罪，可还是继续做。放弃婚前性行为可能很困难，但是上帝呼吁我们在结婚之前，要坚守贞洁。

使徒行传13:38-39 所以弟兄们，你们当晓得，赦罪的道是由这人（耶稣）传给你们的。你们靠摩西的律法，在一切不得称义的事上信靠这人，就都得称义了。

罗马书1:24 所以　神任凭他们逞着心里的情欲行污秽的事，以致彼此玷辱自己的身体。  

可是性有很大诱惑！

身为基督徒，在每一天你都要竭力抵挡性的诱惑。有性诱惑你，这不是你的罪，但你陷入它的诱惑就是犯罪。那么我们怎样才能抵挡诱惑呢？尤其有过性行为之后，对性的渴望会更加强烈，所以只有倚靠上帝，才有力量真正抵挡性的诱惑。

哥林多前书10:13 你们所遇见的试探（出于魔鬼）无非是人所能受的，　神是信实的，必不叫你们受试探（出于魔鬼）过于所能受的，在受试探（出于魔鬼）的时候总要给你们开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住。

有很多经文讲到 性ai ，包括 性ai 是美好的，当我们的 性ai 合乎 神意时，就能荣耀上帝。

所以，关于真正婚姻中的 性ai 真理，在这里我想分享七个圣经要点，是我和我妻子在真实婚姻中的经验总结：

1. 上帝按照自己的形象样式来造男造女，是造得尊贵、平等、贵重。男人和女人，各有不同又相辅相成（创世纪1:27-28 神就照着自己的形像造人，乃是照着祂的形像造男造女。神就赐福给他们，又对他们说：“要生养众多、遍满地面，治理这地，也要管理海里的鱼、空中的鸟和地上各样行动的活物”）

2. 爱应该是一首美丽的歌，而非数学公式。爱需要有诗人般的情怀和爱的热情，才能享受到它的美妙之处。很多人因为欠缺爱的诗意和热情，无法明了爱的真谛，所以陷在痛苦的挣扎和失望之中。两个相爱的人更应该像一首唱出来的美丽的歌（雅歌整卷的寓意），而不是只是歌词而已。

3. 上帝创造一男一女结为夫妻，享受一段美好的婚姻---这是圣经自始至终的一致教导，也是耶稣基督的亲自教导（创世纪2:24-25 因此，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。当时夫妻二人赤身露体，并不羞耻。马太福音19:4 耶稣回答说：“那起初造人的，是造男造女”）。

4. 上帝创造了 性ai 。上帝造好男人女人的身体，也包括了性器官和交合之乐，然后说“甚好”。当我们这一对始祖在上帝的见证之下， 性ai 交合，成为真正的夫妻后，上帝并没有对此感到震惊，因为祂创造男女身体上的不同，就是为了让他们享受到美好的 性ai 。上帝的慈爱和美善，赋予了 性ai 是乐趣的、令人愉悦又是美妙的，上帝将它作为礼物赐给我们管理和享受（创世纪2:24-25）。

5. 婚外性行为是犯罪。性行为的罪，包括同性恋、se情、人兽jiao合、双性恋、yin乱、为利益与朋友ML、通奸、交换配偶行淫、嫖娼、乱伦、强奸、一夫多妻、一妻多夫、邪淫、色欲、恋童癖（哥林多前书6:9-11,18-20；希伯来13:4）

6.  性ai 是在没有羞愧的情况下进行的（创世纪2:25; 箴言5:18-23）。很多人对 性ai 经历到羞愧感，有时羞愧感是上帝所给的，因为我们本身的性观念不符合上帝的教导；有时是我们承受着毁灭感（被有些宗教误导，认为 性ai 是脏的，有快感就是犯罪等等），因为我们违背了 性ai 真理；还有时，不是我们本身的性观念错误，也不是我们违背了 性ai 真理，但还是感到羞愧，那是因为我们有性的恶念、或有普遍化的性认识和感觉、或出于不圣洁的动机。

7. 我们的审美标准。上帝是造一男一女结为夫妻，当祂造亚当时，没有问亚当想要什么样的女人---高矮胖瘦、肤色黑白或头发长短，所以你的配偶就是你的审美标准，在你眼里只有你的配偶才是最美、最好的。上帝不允许任何人生成自己的审美标准，要只看自己的配偶是最美的，不应该再去看别人美，所以上帝赐给亚当配偶，他们彼此就是对方美的感觉和美的标尺（创世纪2:23, 箴言 6:20-35）。

我知道我的读者不全是基督徒，也包括敌对基督教的人。我也知道，我写的可能会呛了一些人的毛，甚至令其发怒。但是，我不会道歉，因为这些都是圣经明明白白的教导。

我想说的是，我所写的并不是要定你的罪，也不是圣经要定你的罪，这些信息只是提醒你们对于 性ai 要有正确的出发点。

你是否真正地把自己无私地献给对方，忘我地爱对方、探索对方、珍爱对方，直到你死为止？你是否一直在寻求自己的享乐，还是追求能够令你的配偶一生享受到你给他（她）的美好快乐的 性ai ？你对 性ai 的这等爱与付出，是否使你得到了真正的快乐和满足？

有个问题不是出自我们的伴侣，而是我们自己，就是我们以变态的心态看待 性ai 。事实上，上帝所赐的都是最好的，所以我鼓励和恳求你谦卑祷告，从圣经中明白上帝对 性ai 的教导，向上帝学习祂所赐给我们的圣洁 性ai 。

当我还没有真正成为基督徒时，我的性生活是活跃的，所以我并不是说自己比任何人更圣洁，我是经历到主耶稣的宽恕，成为基督真正的跟从者，才得以明白圣经中的 性ai 是何等的美好和圣洁。在 性ai 与结婚方面，上帝的教导使我在思想和行为上有很大改变，直至五年前，我才真正地享受到婚姻的圣洁与美好，我忠心耿耿地和一位上帝所赐的、敬畏上帝的女人结为夫妻，这段幸福的婚姻至今已经快5年了。至此，我诚恳地希望，你也能经历到上帝透过主耶稣基督所赐给你的美满幸福的婚姻生活。

在此，我们夫妻感谢上帝，我们主耶稣基督的父，赐给我们美好的一天，也赐给我们你们这些忠心于主的弟兄姊妹们。

（以上所写的，你们可以用来建造耶稣基督的国度）

Question: What the Bible Says About...Sex

Let’s talk about sex…yes, the “S” word. The Bible actually has a lot to say about the subject. You may think, with all the warnings about not having sex before marriage, that sex is bad, the Bible says something quite contrary to that. Sex is biblical, if looked at from a godly perspective. So what does the Bible have to say about sex?

Answer: Sex is a Good Thing

What? Sex is a good thing? Well, GOD created sex. HE created man and woman to create babies. The Bible says that sex is a way for a husband (man ) wife (woman) to express their love for one another. Yes, “husband and wife.” GOD did create sex to be a beautiful and enjoyable expression of love, but only between a man and wife (husband & wife).

Genesis 1: 27-28 – “So GOD created man in HIS own image, in the image of GOD HE created him; male and female HE created them. GOD blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number;” (NIV)

Genesis 2:24 – “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (NIV)

Proverbs 5:18-19 – “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer — may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love.” (NIV)

Song of Songs 7:6 – “How beautiful you are and how pleasing, O love, with your delights!” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 6:13 – “The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the LORD, and the LORD for the body.” (NIV

So, Sex is Good, but Premarital Sex is Not?

Right. There is a lot of talk going on around you about sex. Sex is in just about every magazine, newspaper, television show, and movie. It is the point of a lot of music. Our world has gotten lax about sex, making it seem like premarital sex is okay because it feels good, but the Bible does not agree. GOD calls us all to control our passions and wait for marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:2-3 – “But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.” (NIV)

Hebrews 13:4 – “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for GOD will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 – “It is GOD's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honourable” (NIV)

What if I’ve Already Had Sex?

Everyone falls to sin in some area or another. If your area happens to be sex, there is still hope. While you cannot become a virgin again, you can obtain GOD’s forgiveness. You just have to ask for it and try not to sin that way again. What truly angers GOD is willful sin, when you know you are sinning and keep on participating in that sin. While giving up sex may be difficult, GOD calls us to remain sexually pure until marriage.

Acts 13:38-39– “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through JESUS the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through HIM everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” (NIV)

Romans 1:24– “Therefore GOD gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.” (NIV)

But It’s So Tempting!

As a Christian you fight off temptation every day. Being tempted is not the sin, but giving into the temptation is sin. So how do you fight off the temptation? The desire to have sex can be very strong, especially if you have already had sex. It is only by relying on GOD for strength that you can truly fight off the temptation to have sex.

1 Corinthians 10:13– “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And GOD is faithful; HE will not let you be tempted (by the devil) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (by the devil), HE will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (NIV)

The Bible has a lot to say about sex—including that it's good and that it glorifies GOD when we enjoy sex in the context for which He created it.

So, I thought I'd share seven sex essentials from the Bible: The Truth About Sex in a Real Marriage that my wife Esther and I experience together:

1. GOD created us male and female in HIS image and likeness with dignity, equality, value, and worth. Men and women are different and complement one another (Genesis 1:27 So GOD created mankind in HIS own image, in the image of GOD HE created them; male and female HE created them. 28 GOD blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”).

2. Love is more like a song than a math equation. It requires a sense of poetry and passion to be any good at it, which is why people who are stuck in their heads struggle and are frustrated by it, and lovers prefer songs to syllogisms (Song of Solomon, all of it).

3. Marriage is for one man and one woman by GOD’s design. This is the consistent teaching of the Bible from the table of contents to the appendix and the teaching of JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF (Genesis 2:24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.; Matthew 19:4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’).

4. GOD created sex. GOD made our bodies “very good” with “male and female” parts and pleasures. When our first parents consummated their covenant, GOD was not shocked or horrified, because He created our bodies for sex. The reason that sex is fun, pleasurable, and wonderful is because it is a reflection of the loving goodness of GOD who created it as a gift for us to steward and enjoy (Genesis 2:24-25).

5. Sex outside of marriage is a sin. Sinful sex includes homosexuality, erotica, bestiality, bisexuality, fornication, friends with benefits, adultery, swinging, prostitution, incest, rape, polygamy, polyandry, sinful lust, pornography, and pedophilia (I Corinthians 6:9-11,18-20, Hebrews 13:4).

6. Sex is to be done in such a way that there is no shame(Genesis 2:25; Proverbs 5:18-23). Many people experience shame in regard to sex. Sometimes shame is a gift from GOD in response to our sexual sin, sometimes it is the devastating feeling we bear because we have been sexually sinned against, and other times we have not sinned or been sinned against sexually but feel shame because we have wrong thinking and feelings about sex in general, or a sex act in particular.

7. Your standard of beauty is your spouse. GOD made one man and one woman. HE did not ask them if they wanted someone tall or short, light or heavy, pale or dark skinned, with long or short hair. In short, HE did not permit them to develop a standard of beauty. Instead, HE gave them each a spouse as a standard of beauty (Genesis 2:23, Proverbs 6:20-35).

I understand that I'm writing to an audience that may not consist entirely of  Christian believers, including some who may even be hostile to Christianity. I also understand that many of these points will either rub some of you the wrong way or even enrage you. But, I make no apologies for the Bible and what it says.

I will say this, however... I don't write them to condemn you, nor does the Bible. Rather, I ask you to consider your motivations for sex.

Have you ever truly given yourself to someone selflessly to love them, explore them, and cherish them until death do you part? Have you spent your life pursuing pleasure instead of seeking to give pleasure to a lifelong spouse? And, are you truly happy and fulfilled with your sex life?

The problem isn't our partners. It's us. We've perverted sex and misused it. GOD's way is the best way, and I encourage you to humbly pray and think about what he has to say about us and sex in HIS WORD, the Bible.

As someone who was sexually active before becoming a true Christian, I don’t consider myself more holy than anyone else. But, after experiencing JESUS’ forgiveness, becoming a true follower of CHRIST, understanding what the Bible teaches about sex, having massive change in my thoughts and actions about sex, marrying, and today, happily and faithfully married to a GOD loving and GOD fearing woman (Esther, my wife) for what is approaching 5 years, I sincerely want you to experience the fullness of what GOD has for you in JESUS CHRIST.

We give thanks to GOD, the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, for this day and for you, faithful brothers and sisters.

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From Victor n Esther - "My life journey with Jesus"

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约翰是历史上最伟大的人

这事以后，耶稣和门徒到了犹太地，在那里居住施洗。约翰在靠近撒冷的哀嫩也施洗，因为那里水多，众人都去受洗。那时约翰还没有下在监里。约翰的门徒和一个犹太人辩论洁净的礼，就来见约翰说：“拉比，从前同你在约但河外你所见证的那位，现在施洗，众人都往祂那里去了。”约翰说：“若不是从天上赐的，人就不能得甚么。 我曾说我不是基督，是奉差遣在祂前面的，你们自己可以给我作见证。 娶新妇的就是新郎，新郎的朋友站着听见新郎的声音就甚喜乐，故此我这喜乐满足了。祂必兴旺，我必衰微。从天上来的，是在万有之上；从地上来的，是属乎地，他所说的也是属乎地。从天上来的，是在万有之上。 祂将所见所闻的见证出来，只是没有人领受祂的见证。那领受祂见证的，就印上印，证明　神是真的。神所差来的，就说　神的话，因为　神赐圣灵给祂是没有限量的。 父爱子，已将万有交在祂手里。 信子的人有永生，不信子的人得不着永生，神的震怒常在他身上（约翰福音3:22-36）   

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，今天我们更多地认识了这位谦卑的施洗约翰。通过思考约翰的话语和行为，我们能够更进一步地学习到谦卑。

虽然按照主耶稣所讲，人类历史上没有一人能大过约翰（马太福音11:11 我实在告诉你们，凡妇人所生的，没有一个兴起来大过施洗约翰的，然而天国里最小的比他还大），但是约翰深知自己的位格，主耶稣远胜过自己，因为主耶稣是从天而降的 神。当我们把自己与别人相比时，“骄傲”就会偷偷潜入我们的生命，如果我们知道自己某些事做得比别人更好，那么我们就会变得骄傲起来。但是，如果我们时刻都把自己与主耶稣相比，就像约翰所做的，那么我们就不可能骄傲起来。

我们通常都会对比那些与自己有相似才能或天赋的人，比如，如果我是篮球队员，那么我就不会在乎钢琴选手弹得有多好，我只会关心篮球队员打得怎么样。在约翰的时代，约翰是当地最有名的传道人，很多人都长途跋涉地来听约翰受恩膏的讲道，并且受他的洗。不过，当主耶稣开始做像约翰一样的事工时---传道和施洗，主耶稣的名声就开始大起来。此外，上帝赐圣灵给主耶稣是“没有限量”的（约翰福音3:34），所以祂能行神迹，是约翰从未做过的，而且这些神迹也确实吸引了众多的人，因为父神“已将万有交在耶稣手里”（约翰福音3:35），所以疾病和魔鬼也包含其中。不久以后，几乎没有人再去听约翰的讲道，甚至他的门徒中有些人也对他产生了怀疑。

然而，约翰懂得自己在上帝旨意中的位格和上帝的时间表，他的任务就是为主耶稣预备道路，自创世以来的惟一理念就是主耶稣要被高举，而不是约翰。约翰知道他的事工是暂时的，所以讲到主耶稣，他说：“祂必兴旺，我必衰微”（约翰福音3:30）。骄傲的人不肯放手上帝曾经对他的恩赐，甚至当上帝的旨意很明显是让他转向另一方面的事工时，他还是要把曾经的恩赐永远地据为己有，可是上帝已经恩膏另一个人来取代他现有的位置，骄傲的人想要得到越来越多人的认可和赞赏。一个真正的基督徒，应该只求主耶稣在众人心里成为最伟大的，而不是自己；应该只专注于建立上帝的国度，而不是自己的；应该只想作上帝忠心又卑微的仆人，而不是要自立为王。

约翰也深知主耶稣才是通往天国的惟一道路，惟有主耶稣才能赐永生给凡信靠祂的人。约翰清楚地明白，真正信靠主耶稣的人就必会服从主耶稣。约翰说：“不信子的人得不着永生， 神的震怒常在他身上”（约翰福音3:36）。然而，这并不意味着一旦我们犯了罪就必下地狱，因为没有一个基督徒是完全的，我们随时都可能犯罪。从上下经文中我们得知，约翰在这节指的是那些不服从主耶稣的人，这些人是活在罪恶和自我的生活方式中，他们根本就没有降服于主耶稣，由此就证明他们不是真正地信靠主耶稣。

问：那么上帝犯了骄傲的罪吗？

答：没有，上帝决不可能高看自己，当祂讲到自己的完美品性时，并不是在夸口，只是在实话实说。

问：如果你是一个游泳高手，那么当你说自己游泳很好时，是骄傲吗？

答：不是。骄傲，是对自己有一个夸大或不实际的看法。当你是一个游泳高手时，你说自己游泳很好，这不是骄傲，因为你是实话实说。但是，如果你说自己是世界游泳最棒的人（除非你的确是），那就是骄傲。不过，最好还是尽可能地少谈自己的才能和成就，因为即使你说的是实情，有些人还是会认为你是骄傲地自我吹捧。像箴言27:2所说的，“要别人夸奖你，不可用口自夸”。

省察自己：圣经说“上帝必将自高的人降为卑，必将自卑的人升为高”（马太福音23:12），你是这两类人中的哪一种呢？

John, the greatest person to have ever lived

John's Final Testimony About JESUS

John 3: 22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” 27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.” 31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Dear Brothers and Sisters

Today we realize even more what a humble man John the Baptist was. We can learn a lot about humility by considering his words and deeds.

Although John was, according to Jesus, the greatest person to have ever lived (see Matthew 11: 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.), John knew that Jesus was far superior to himself, since Jesus was God from heaven. Pride sneaks into our lives when we compare ourselves with others. If we know we're better at doing something than someone else, we can become prideful. If, however, we will compare ourselves with Jesus, as John did, we won't be able to become proud.

Most often, we compare ourselves with people who have similar abilities and talents. If I'm a basketball player, I don't care how good another person might be at playing the piano---I'm only interested in other basketball players. For a while, John was the most famous preacher around. Multitudes travelled great distances to hear his anointed sermons and to be baptized. But then Jesus started doing the same things as John, preaching and baptizing, and Jesus' popularity began to grow. Additionally, God gave Jesus the Holy Spirit "without measure" (John 3:34), something He didn't do for John. Thus Jesus was able to perform miracles, something John never did, and those miracles really attracted large crowds. God the Father gave Jesus "authority over everything" (John 3:35), including sicknesses and demons. Before long, hardly anyone was coming to hear John, and some of his own disciples became jealous for him.

John, however, realized his place and time in God's plan. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus. The whole idea from the beginning was that Jesus would be exalted, not John. John knew his ministry would be temporary and said of Jesus, "He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less" (John 3:30). Proud people don't want to ever let go of something God has given them, even when it's obvious that God's plan for them is that they move on to do something else because God has anointed another person to take their place. Proud people want to be recognized and appreciated more and more. Christians, however, should want Jesus to become greater in people's minds, not themselves. They should be interested in building God's kingdom and not kingdoms for themselves. They should want to be servants, not rulers.

John also knew that Jesus was the only way to heaven, and that only Jesus could give eternal life to people who believed in Him. John clearly understood that those who truly believe in Jesus obey Him. John said, "Those who don't obey the Son will never experience eternal life, but the wrath of God remains upon them" (John 3:36, emphasis added). This doesn't mean that if we commit a sin that we will go to hell, because no Christian is perfect and we all do sin at times. We know from reading the rest of the New Testament that John was talking about people who never obey Jesus, living a lifestyle of sin and selfishness. They are not submitted to Jesus at all, which proves they don't believe in Him.

Q. Could God ever be guilty of the sin of pride?

A. No, it would be impossible for God to think too highly of Himself. When He speaks of His own wonderful attributes, He isn't bragging---He's only telling the truth.

Q. Is it prideful to say, "I'm a good swimmer" if you are a good swimmer?

A. No. Pride is having an inflated or unrealistic opinion of yourself. To say that you are a good swimmer when you are a good swimmer is simply telling the truth. But, to say that you are the world's best swimmer (unless you are) would be prideful. It's best to talk as little as possible about yourself, your abilities and your accomplishments, because even if you are just telling the truth, some people might think you are pride fully boasting. As the proverb says, "Don't praise yourself; let others do it!" (Proverbs 27:2).

Application: The Bible says that God humbles those who exalt themselves and exalts those who humble themselves（Matthew23:12）. In which of these two categories do you belong?

sky5107

造就

上帝希望，我们的聚会靠着遵行上帝的话语来提高基督徒的造就：凡事都要规规矩矩地按着次序行。

所有经文都出自哥林多前书14章，除非另作注明。

使徒保罗给哥林多教会的第一封书信中，他在第14章概括了基督徒聚会的一些基本原则。而当基本原则被教会否定，以改革思想取而代之时，上帝的旨意就被这些灵命不成熟的基督徒们所忽视，这些人实际上是在寻求人的荣耀。其结果就是堕落和混乱的滋生，致使教会（全体基督徒）蒙羞。

身为上帝信徒们的领导者，应当甘心乐意被上帝所用，带领教会（全体基督徒）在灵命上达到成熟完备，使他们不致沦为改革思想的牺牲品（以弗所4:12-16为要成全圣徒，各尽其职、建立基督的身体，直等到我们众人在真道上同归于一，认识 神的儿子，得以长大成人，满有基督长成的身量。使我们不再作小孩子，中了人的诡计和欺骗的法术，被一切异教之风摇动，飘来飘去，就随从各样的异端。惟用爱心说诚实话，凡事长进，连于元首基督。全身都靠祂联络得合式，百节各按各职，照着各体的功用，彼此相助，便叫身体渐渐增长，在爱中建立自己）。我们需要记住：上帝使祂的话语显为大，过于祂的名声（诗篇 138:2 我要向你的圣殿下拜，为你的慈爱和诚实称赞你的名。因你使你的话显为大，过于你所应许的〔或作超乎你的名声〕），我们需要让基督的话语丰盛地住在我们里面（歌罗西3:16 当用各样的智慧，把基督的道理丰丰富富的存在心里，用诗章、颂词、灵歌，彼此教导、互相劝诫，心被恩感歌颂　神 ），以使我们具备能力，能够合宜地鼓励和培养那些听我们、看我们传道的人（提摩太前书4:15 -16这些事你要殷勤去作，并要在此专心，使众人看出你的长进来。你要谨慎自己和自己的教训，要在这些事上恒心。因为这样行又能救自己，又能救听你的人）。

我们要全力拥护所有能给基督肢体和上帝带来荣耀的事情，甚至哥林多前书14章也指示我们，那些不认可圣经聚会基本原则的人，也不会被上帝认可（14:37-38 若有人以为自己是先知或是属灵的，就该知道我所写给你们的是主的命令。若有不知道的，就由他不知道吧）。所以我们应当谨慎，不要认同或默认那些决心忽视基本原则（圣经的教导）的人。

保罗还进一步对哥林多前书14章里的观点加以阐明【14:4-12说方言的，是造就自己；作先知讲道的，乃是造就教会（基督肢体）。我愿意你们都说方言，更愿意你们作先知讲道。因为说方言的若不翻出来，使教会（基督肢体）被造就，那作先知讲道的就比他强了。 弟兄们，我到你们那里去若只说方言，不用启示或知识或预言或教训给你们讲解，我与你们有什么益处呢？就是那有声无气的物，或箫或琴，若发出来的声音没有分别，怎能知道所吹所弹的是什么呢？若吹无定的号声，谁能预备打仗呢？你们也是如此，舌头若不说容易明白的话，怎能知道所说的是什么呢？这就是向空说话了。世上的声音或者甚多，却没有一样是无意思的。我若不明白那声音的意思，这说话的人必以我为化外之人，我也以他为化外之人。你们也是如此。既是切慕属灵的恩赐，就当求多得造就教会（基督肢体）的恩赐】，最后我们应该将时间、才能和精力都投入到造就基督肢体的事工中，而不是只造就自己。但是，致力于令人“愉快”或“满意”的传道，未必能“建立”或“造就”人，换句话说，正如你从14章所读到的，我们应该完完全全以上帝的话语为造就人的根基和准则。

保罗在哥林多前书14:14-17举例说明：悟性是关键（我若用方言祷告，是我的灵祷告，但我的悟性没有果效。这却怎么样呢？我要用灵祷告，也要用悟性祷告；我要用灵歌唱，也要用悟性歌唱。不然你用灵祝谢，那在座不通方言的人，既然不明白你的话，怎能在你感谢的时候说‘阿们’呢？ 你感谢的固然是好，无奈不能造就别人）。我们分享上帝的话语，应当致力于启发和提高人的悟性和智慧，不一定要做得令人高兴或满意来取悦人。我们的目标不是讨人的喜欢，不是要受大众欢迎或随潮流。而屈从于大众的喜好，就是现今教会领导层不成熟思想的产物，这会直接导致：人们对上帝话语产生怀疑，进而灰色道德滋长，改革思想蔓延，人类要凌驾上帝的话语。

哥林多前书14:20-21解释了，是什么原因导致我们分享上帝的话语出现了问题：弟兄们，在心志上不要作小孩子，然而在恶事上要作婴孩，在心志上总要作大人。律法上记着，主说：“我要用外邦人的舌头和外邦人的嘴唇，向这百姓说话，虽然如此，他们还是不听从我。”具有不成熟思想的教会领导者，是带领人们沉溺于自我的思想、喜好和享乐中，而不是为了建立他们。这就是为何，教会的领导者不能草率指定，而是需要经受住考验，达到成熟完备的人才能胜任。教会领导者的生命应当充满上帝的话语和圣灵并善行，是与执行自己的看法、观念和渴望的生命截然相反。

保罗盖了一个权威的“印章”，结束了哥林多前书14章：若有不知道的，就由他不知道吧。保罗不承认这些背道而驰的人（14:38节），所以我们也不能承认任何拒绝接受上帝所指示的基本原则，并以自我利益和自我享乐来造就人的人为弟兄。这群人不仅在他们的侍奉中发扬享乐主义，也允许那些没有充满上帝话语和圣灵并善行的表面基督徒，在聚会上讲论上帝的道，这类事情在现今的教会里屡见不鲜。圣经说，这不仅会使基督肢体蒙羞，也会导致不成熟思想、堕落和混乱的恶果。

使徒行传6:3所以，弟兄们，当从你们中间选出七个有好名声、被圣灵充满、智慧充足的人，我们就派他们管理这事。这节教导我们：只有被圣灵充满的人，才能被指派管理教会的事务，是经受住考验和试探的人。那么，谁能胜任侍奉上帝的职任，透过分享上帝的话语来带领众人呢？你知道答案。

保罗在哥林多前书10:8说：“主赐给我们权柄，是要造就你们，并不是要败坏你们。我就是为这权柄稍微夸口，也不至于惭愧。”

愿上帝祝福你们，我们的弟兄姊妹们---自上帝最卑微的仆人

Edification

GOD's Desire: Promoting Edification by Instruction with the WORD of GOD in Our Assemblies: That Everything be Done Decently and in Order

All verses from 1 Corinthians 14 unless otherwise noted.

In the 14th chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthian church the Apostle Paul outlines some basic principles for the assembly of the followers. When these basic principles are repudiated in favour of progressive thinking GOD's will has been ignored by immature thinking - those who seek the glory of man. The result? Indecency and disorder will spring up bringing shame unto the church (the followers of GOD).

As leaders of GOD’s followers, willing to be used by GOD to bring about the maturity of the church (the followers of CHRIST) so it doesn't fall prey to this kind of thinking -(Eph. 4: 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of HIM who is the head, that is, CHRIST. 16 From HIM the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.), we need to remember that GOD holds his word higher than his name - Psalm 138: 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. We need to have the word of CHRIST richly dwell in us (Col 3: 16 Let the message of CHRIST dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the SPRIT, singing to GOD with gratitude in your hearts.) that we may facilitate the proper encouragement and training for those who hear us and see us (1 Tim 4: 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers).

We want to support what brings honour to the body of CHRIST and what brings glory to GOD. We are even instructed in this chapter of 1st Corinthians that those who don't recognize these basic principles of what is given to us in the Scripture will not be recognized, 1 Cor. 14: 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the SPIRIT, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the LORD’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. So we ought to take care not to become people who approve of or are silent about those who have decided to ignore these things (the teachings of the Scripture).

Paul develops his point in 1 Cor. 14: (4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church (the body of CHRIST). 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church [the body of CHRIST] may be edified.6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the SPIRIT, try to excel in those that build up the body of CHRIST.), concluding that we should dedicate our time, talents and energy towards the things that will edify the body of CHRIST and not only ourselves. To be "entertained" or "pleased" is not necessarily to be "built up" or "edified". That is done, as you read through the chapter, by instruction using the WORD of GOD.

Paul's example in 1 Cor. verses 14-17 illustrates how "understanding" is the key (14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.). Our sharing of GOD’s WORD should promote understanding and wisdom, not necessarily pleasure or entertaining. Our goal is not to please people or do what is popular or modern. Bowing to societal pleasure is the result of immature thinking amongst the leadership. This leads to doubt, moral greyness and the promoting of ideas and people above GOD's WORD.

What causes problems in our sharing of GOD’s WORD is explained in 1 Cor.14: 20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written: “With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to ME, says the LORD.” Immature thinking leads people to indulge in their own thoughts and pleasure/entertainment rather than looking to the building up of others. This is why leaders are not to be appointed in haste but need to be tested unto maturity. They ought to be full of GOD's WORD and SPIRIT and good deeds as opposed to their own opinion, ideas and desire to implement them.

Paul concludes this chapter (1 Cor.14) with a seal of authority in 1 Cor.38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Paul does not recognize those who diverge from this pattern. We cannot recognize as brethren anyone who refuses to recognize this basic principle of instruction and edification trumping self-interest and entertainment. It is not surprising that groups who promote entertainment in their services also permit superficial Christians who are not full of GOD's WORD and SPIRIT and good deeds, to speak  in the assembly. The Scriptures not only say this brings shame upon the body of CHRIST, but it is also a result of immature thinking, indecency and disorderliness.

Acts 6: 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the SPIRIT and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them. This verse teaches us only men full of the SPIRIT were designated as public ministry helpers. Tested and tried ‘men’. So who should be serving the LORD leading in sharing the WORD of GOD? You get the idea.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10: 8 “So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the LORD gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.”

GOD bless you my Brothers and Sister,

from the least of GOD’s servants.

sky5107

神的道是永活又大能的

神的道是活泼的、是有功效的，比一切两刃的剑更快，甚至魂与灵、骨节与骨髓都能刺入剖开，连心中的思念和主意都能辨明（希伯来4:12）

   

亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，惟有万能上帝永活的道，才有强大的力量治服你的肉体，使你在想、看、说 、行上都如一个重生的人。

以下是肯尼斯·库珀牧师的见证：

“当我成为基督徒时，被糟糕的烟瘾所控制。我曾想尽一切办法要戒掉烟瘾，但都毫无作用。后来，经过数月的戒烟斗争和失败，我决定参加希尔顿萨顿教会的聚会，是在德克萨斯州的休斯敦。进教会之前，我先把卷好的香烟夹在我的汽车遮阳板里，然后才走下车。

直到那个时候，我都没有学过任何关于上帝的话语，也从未接触过上帝的大能。于是，当我听到牧师们受圣灵恩膏的讲道时，我被深深地迷住了，沉浸在上帝永活之道中，我的渴望被改变，我惟一想要的就是要更多地认识上帝。这是圣经在我生命里第一次活起来。

当聚会结束后，我要驾车回家。当我再一次看到夹在遮阳板里的香烟时，我发觉它们是如此地腐朽陈旧。就在那一刻，我意识到我已经戒掉烟瘾了。

发生了什么事情？上帝的话语使我与烟瘾彻底隔绝，赋予了我治服自己肉体的力量。当我透过上帝的话语更认识主耶稣，并蒙万能上帝的恩膏时，我完全地被释放了---不仅在不好的习惯上，也在欲望上！”

亲爱的耶稣基督真正的跟从者们，就在今天，开始沉浸在上帝的话语中，那么你就会发现，上帝话语的大能能够从世俗捆绑中永远地释放你。

The WORD of GOD is quick and full of power

"For the word of GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(Hebrews 4:12)

Dear Brothers and Sisters

The living Word of Almighty GOD is the only power strong enough to discipline your flesh. It's the only power that can cause you to think, look, talk and act like a born-again man.

The followings is a testimony from Pastor Kenneth Cooper

“When I became a Christian, I was dominated by a horrible smoking habit. I tried to quit every way I could think of but nothing worked. After months of struggling and failing, I decided to attend some meetings in Hilton Sutton's church in Houston, Texas. Before I went into those meetings, I tucked my cigarettes above the sun visor in my car and left them there.

Up to that time, I hadn't learned much of anything about the Word and had never been exposed to the power of GOD. So when I began to hear those ministers preaching under the anointing of the HOLY SPIRIT, it captivated my mind. I was caught up in the living WORD. My desires changed. All I wanted was more of GOD. For the first time in my life, the Scriptures came alive.

When those meetings ended and I started driving back home, I found those old, stale cigarettes tucked up in my sun visor and realized I hadn't even missed them.

What happened? The WORD separated me from the desire to smoke. The WORD empowered me to discipline this flesh of mine. When I saw JESUS in the WORD and under the anointing of ALMIGHTY GOD, I was totally set free, not only of the habit but of the desire!”

Dear true followers of JESUS CHRIST, Get caught up in the living WORD of GOD today and discover the power that can set you forever free from worldly bondage.

sky5107

圣灵在等着帮助你

神能照着运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的（以弗所3:20）

亲爱的姊妹们，作为一个服从主耶稣的真信徒，在你里面拥有圣灵的大能。可是，你要先作出请求，才能使圣灵的能力开始为你运作。

圣灵不会强行进入你里面。好比你正在看电视，圣灵不是直接走过来，关上电视，从沙发上拽起你，对你说：“你现在要听我的！”

不，圣灵是一个绅士。祂是上帝差遣来帮助你遵行上帝的旨意，并坚固你、劝勉你……但是，祂不会自行为你运作这些事，只有你先向祂请求，然后祂的大能才会为你运作起来。

这就是为何雅各书说，在困境和苦难中要祷告。向上帝祷告，才能使圣灵的能力在你里面开始运作。

想想看：圣灵是全能上帝的灵，祂曾运行在渊面上，执行上帝的话语而创造了万有。现在，同一位圣灵也在你里面，祂正等待你向祂呼求！

如果有一天主耶稣来到你的房间，坐在书桌前，那么你会撇开一切琐事，惟独与祂交谈吗？你不会只是急匆匆地说：“主耶稣，见到你很高兴，我希望我能有力气跟你谈话，你不会相信我今天是怎么过的。我的意思是，好像这世上的每件事都出了问题，我事事都不顺利，我感到很累，不想做任何事情，只想躺下来看电视。也许我们能过会再谈。”

你不会那样做的，对吗？你决对不会那样做。如果你能看到主耶稣正坐在你的房间里，那么你立即会俯伏于地敬拜祂，你不会再去在乎自己有多累或一天有多不顺利，你只会立刻抓住这个与祂亲近的机会。

此时，圣灵就在你里面等待着你，无论白天或黑夜，祂都为你时刻准备着，祂在对你说：“我一直都在这里等着要帮助你、坚固你。我希望今天就能抚慰你，你知道你在哪里出了问题吗？我想帮助你拥有真正的生命。”

圣灵想向你显明：你一直是要试图靠自己解决难题，而没有倚靠祂的大能。其实圣灵一直都等在那里，祂已经为你准备好战胜你生命中一切阻碍所需要的能力，祂正等着你向祂祷告。多祷告，随从圣灵的带领祷告、用悟性祷告。今天就向圣灵祷告，激活祂的大能在你里面运作起来。

The HOLY SPIRIT is waiting to help you

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."(Ephesians 3:20)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As a true and obedience follower of JESUS, you have the power of the HOLY SPIRIT inside you. But that power won't go to work until you put it to work!

The HOLY SPIRIT won't just muscle in on you. HE won't come in and turn down the television set and jerk you up off the couch and say, "Now you listen to me."

No, the HOLY SPIRIT is a gentleman. HE is sent to help you to do the will of GOD, to strengthen you, to counsel you...but HE won't do a thing until HE's asked.

That's why the book of James says if you're in trouble or afflicted, pray. It's prayer that puts the power within you to work.

Just think about that. The SPIRIT of ALMIGHTY GOG. The SPIRIT that hovered over the face of the deep and carried out GOD's WORD at creation, that same SPIRIT is inside you--waiting for you to call on HIM!

If JESUS came into your house and sat down at your table, you'd put aside everything to talk to HIM, wouldn't you? You wouldn't just rush through and say, "JESUS, I'm so glad to see you. I wish I had the energy to talk to You, but You wouldn't believe what kind of a day I had today. I mean, everything in the world went wrong and now I'm just too tired to do anything but lay here and watch TV. Maybe we can spend some time together later."

You wouldn't do that, would you? No! If JESUS were sitting there in your room where you could see HIM, you'd fall on your face and begin to worship HIM. You wouldn't care how tired you were or what kind of day you had. You'd jump at the opportunity to fellowship with HIM.

The HOLY SPIRIT is in you. HE's waiting on you. HE's ready any time of the day or night. HE's saying, "I'm here to help you and strengthen you. I want to comfort you today. You know that problem you've been having? I want to help you get that out of your life.

The HOLY SPIRIT has some things He wants to show you--things you've been trying to figure out on your own. He's waiting there with the power to overcome every obstacle in your life. Take time to pray. Pray in the SPIRIT. Pray with understanding. Pray and activate the power that work within you today.