Wisdom grows when we listen to the words of mature believers.

听取属灵信徒的良言，能让人智慧增长。

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:20

这人该知道叫一个罪人从迷路上转回，便是救一个灵魂不死，并且遮盖许多的罪。-雅各书5章20节

“You need to listen to me, I’m your brother!” The plea came from a concerned older brother in my neighborhood and was directed to a younger sibling who was moving farther away from him than the older child was comfortable with. Clearly the older child was better able to judge what was best in the situation.

邻家的一位哥哥关切地对他的小弟说：“你必须听我的，我是你哥哥！”对于不听劝告的弟弟，这位当哥哥的很不放心。年龄较大的兄长显然能够在当时的情况中，作出更为准确的判断。

How many of us have resisted the wise counsel of a brother or sister? If you’ve had to face the consequences of resisting the good advice of someone more mature, you’re not alone.

我们是否也曾拒绝弟兄姐妹明智的劝告呢？如果你曾因拒绝灵命成熟的人所给予的忠告，而必须承担所带来的后果，要知道许多人也和你一样。

One of the greatest resources we can have as believers in Jesus is a family—those who are spiritually related because of a common faith in Him. This family includes mature men and women who love God and each other. Like the little brother in my neighborhood, we sometimes need a word of caution or correction to get us back on track. This is particularly true when we offend someone or someone offends us. Doing what’s right can be difficult. Yet Jesus’s words in Matthew 18:15–20 show us what to do when offenses happen within our spiritual family.

普世的基督徒因共同的信仰，形成了一个属灵的大家庭，这就是基督徒拥有的一个资源。在这个家庭中，有许多灵命成熟的基督徒，他们爱上帝，并与弟兄姐妹彼此相爱。有时，我们就像我的邻家小弟一样，也需要别人的忠告或指正，使我们重回正轨。特别是当我们得罪人，或有人冒犯我们的时候，更是如此。要作正确的回应虽不容易，但耶稣在马太福音18章15-20节教导我们，当这个属灵的大家庭发生纠纷时，我们应该如何处理。

Thankfully, our gracious heavenly Father places in our lives people who are prepared to help us honor Him and others. And when we listen, things go better in the family (v. 15). 

还好，慈爱的天父安排了许多人在你我的生命中，乐意帮助我们尊荣上帝并尊重他人。我们若愿听从良言，属灵的大家庭就能越来越和谐（15节）。

Father, we praise You for placing us in Your spiritual family. Help us to learn and grow through the wise words and godly behavior of mature believers.

天父，我们感谢祢将我们安置在属灵的家中。帮助我们藉着属灵信徒的智慧言语及敬虔行为，从而学习并成长。

Matthew 18:15-20    NIV

18 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

马太福音 18:15-20

 18  “倘若你的弟兄得罪你，你就去，趁着只有他和你在一处的时候，指出他的错来。他若听你，你便得了你的弟兄。 16 他若不听，你就另外带一两个人同去，要凭两三个人的口作见证，句句都可定准。 17 若是不听他们，就告诉教会。若是不听教会，就看他像外邦人和税吏一样。 18 我实在告诉你们：凡你们在地上所捆绑的，在天上也要捆绑；凡你们在地上所释放的，在天上也要释放。 19 我又告诉你们：若是你们中间有两个人在地上同心合意地求什么事，我在天上的父必为他们成全。 20 因为无论在哪里，有两三个人奉我的名聚会，那里就有我在他们中间。”

INSIGHT

灵粮透视

The underlying theme of today’s text emphasizes that the church is not just a social organization. Instead it is a spiritual family. The very idea of calling someone “brother” in addressing possible offenses shows how real the idea of the family is. A teachable spirit evidenced by listening to those who are more mature is the starting point for growth in community. The book of Proverbs admonishes us: “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20). Listening to more experienced believers and having a teachable attitude can do wonders in maintaining harmony within the body of Christ.

今天阅读的经文有个潜在的主题，强调教会不仅仅是一个社会组织，更是一个属灵的家庭。在教会中，即使一个人可能犯了错，但仍被称为“弟兄”，真实地体现了家庭的概念。人人有个受教的心，愿意聆听属灵长辈的劝导，这便是教会长进的起点。箴言书告诫我们：“你要听劝教、受训诲，使你终久有智慧”（19章20节）。聆听属灵前辈的教导，心存谦卑受教的态度，能奇妙地为教会带来和谐。 

Is there someone you need to listen to so that you can grow spiritually?

你需要聆听哪些人的建议，好叫你的灵命有所长进呢？

整理：于姊妹