Choose Forgiveness, Not Gossip
選擇寬容，不說閑話
Nov 16, 2016
“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends” (Proverbs 17:9 NLT, second edition).
"包容過錯的，尋求友愛；喋喋不休的，離間密友。"(箴17:9 和合本修訂版)
Let’s just admit it: When you have some crazy-maker in your life, and she’s (or he’s) just done the craziest thing again, it’s almost impossible not to get in the car, pull out your phone, and call somebody and say, “You won’t believe what she (or he) just did!” In fact, you may even be texting as she’s (or he’s) doing it! That’s what we do with crazy-makers. We want to tell somebody else. We want affirmation from somebody else. It’s the most difficult thing in the world to let go of it. It may feel good when we call someone to spread the word about the crazy-maker’s craziness, but it’s also unloving.
讓我們先承認這個事實：當你的身邊有一些容易制造麻煩人的時候，當她（或他，下同）剛好又做了一次令人瘋狂的事情，你幾乎不可能不上車，解鎖你的手機，然后打給某個人，說：“你不會想到她所做的！”事實上，你甚至都會將她所做的，發信息給別人。這就是我們身邊有這樣人的時候我們所做的。我們想要告訴其他人。我們想要得到別人的肯定。這時候，似乎不再計較成了世界上最難做到的事情，也許當我們在傳播有關瘋狂制造者是有多么瘋狂的時候，我們會感覺很棒，但是那卻沒有愛。
The Bible says to forgive even your enemies. Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends” (NLT, second edition).
圣經說，要饒恕，甚至對你的仇敵都要。箴言17:9說：“包容過錯的，尋求友愛；喋喋不休的，離間密友。”(箴17:9 和合本修訂版)
What is gossip? It’s sharing information with somebody who is not part of the problem or the solution. That person might not have had anything to do with the situation, but you bring her into it so you can feel better about yourself. Gossip, in its essence, is a form of retaliation. You’re getting back at someone without talking to her. Instead, you’re talking about her behind her back.
什么是閑話？閑話就是與問題之外的人分享有關一些事情的情況。那個人或許在這件事情中沒有參與任何事，但是你卻因著自己能感覺好一些，而把她牽扯到其中。閑話的本質，是報復的表現形式。你不是通過和他談話來報復他，而是在背后議論他。
Gossip is incredibly destructive. It is destructive to churches, families, and businesses. It is destructive to your life. It tears you up. It separates the closest of friends.
閑話有難以置信的破壞力。它可以破壞教會，家庭，生意。它也可以破壞你的生命。使你痛哭，離間密友。
The worst thing about gossip is that the crazy-maker wins! All of a sudden, that person is controlling your conversation. She’s controlling your emotions. Your whole day is about gossiping about her instead of talking about some great thing that’s happening in your life. Don’t let that person win! Don’t let the crazy-maker win by choosing gossip.
閑話最壞的事情就是讓那些制造麻煩的人得勝了！突然間，那個人就掌控了你的社交，她控制了你的情緒。你整天都是在談論她，代替了談論那些你生命中發生的重要的事情。不要讓那個人得勝！不要因著選擇談論閑話，而讓瘋狂制造者得勝！
The Bible says in 1 Peter 3:9, “Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing” (NCV).
圣經在彼得前書3:9說到：“不要以惡報惡，以辱罵還辱罵，倒要祝福，因為你們正是為此蒙召的，好使你們承受福氣。”(和合本修訂版)
You can gossip and miss out on God’s blessing. Or, you can choose to have positive conversations and use words that lift others up, and, in doing so, you will receive God’s blessing on your life.
你可以說閑話，而失去上帝的祝福。或者你可以選擇積極的對話去造就別人，那樣，你這么做的時候，將會得到上帝在你生命中的祝福。
Talk It Over
討論問題
What are your strategies for avoiding or confronting gossip?
你在面對或者避免說閑話有什么策略？
Why do you think it is so hard to walk away from gossip?
為什么你覺的從閑話當中走出來是很難得？
How can you turn gossip into a positive conversation?
你如何從說閑話中轉向積極的對話？
