Ephesians 4:29-32 (NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God in Christ forgave you.
Do you know how we grieve the Holy Spirit? We grieve the Holy Spirit when we are harsh, ruthless, full of malice, anger, and bitter towards people instead of being gracious and loving with our words. When we are the creator of a toxic environment, we are engaging in a work of darkness because a toxic relationship and environment give people no hope. We will hurt and destroy others emotionally when we lash out at them in words. Legalistic people tend to be judgmental and critical of others. Full of self-righteousness like the Pharisees in the Bible, they think they have the right to talk down on others, but how they grieve the Holy Spirit as they speak! When they don’t even feel anything wrong about speaking toxically, it means they have lost the sensitivity towards the voice of the Holy Spirit.
If we have truly understood how God has forgiven us unconditionally, we will be gracious in our words and actions, and be sensitive towards what the Holy Spirit’s opinion is before we charge into a meeting to confront or clarify something with others in our flesh. We will minister to people out of unconditional love, and our words will be gracious to the hearer and seasoned with salt, making them feel uplifted, encouraged, and motivated to move on.
Philemon 1:7 (NKJV) For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
People should walk away feeling refreshed, encouraged, and lifted emotionally after our conversations with them, knowing that we genuinely love them. There is no greater joy than knowing that we are loved and cared for by good and faithful friends when we feel down and depressed. Everyone can tell when genuine love is being shown. That’s why Jesus said they will know we are His disciples when we love one another. It means showing love through our words and actions.
John 13:35 (NJKV) “by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another”
Sermon Series: Up! Cell Group Campaign 2023 (Part 3)
言行要宽厚
以弗所书4:29-32污秽的言语，一句不可出口，只要随时说造就人的好话，叫听见的人得益处。不要叫神的圣灵担忧，你们原是受了他的印记，等候得赎的日子来到。一切苦毒、恼恨、忿怒、嚷闹、毁谤，并一切的恶毒，都当从你们中间除掉。并要以恩慈相待，存怜悯的心，彼此饶恕，正如神在基督里饶恕了你们一样。
我们如何让圣灵忧伤?当我们对人苛刻无情、充满恶意、愤怒和苦毒，而不是以宽厚和爱的言辞相待时，我们就会使圣灵忧伤。当我们成为有毒环境的创造者，我们就是参与了黑暗的工作，因为有毒的关系和环境不能给人带来希望。当我们用言语抨击别人时，会在情感上伤害和摧毁对方。律法主义的人倾向于论断和批评别人，像圣经里的法利赛人一样自以为是，认为自己有权贬低别人。但当他们说话的时候，圣灵是何等的忧伤。当他们丝毫不觉得自己的说话方式有任何问题时，就意味着他们已经失去了对圣灵声音的敏锐。
当我们真正理解神是如何无条件宽恕了我们的时候，在我们用血气匆匆会见某人当面对质或澄清某事之前，我们就会言行宽厚，敏锐于圣灵的看法。我们将会出于无条件的爱而事奉他人，我们的言语听在受者的耳中将显得宽厚，以盐调和，他们听了就会感到振奋受鼓舞，有了继续前行的动力。
腓利门书1:7兄弟啊，我为你的爱心大有快乐，大得安慰，因众圣徒的心从你得了畅快。
在我们和人交谈之后，他们应该感到神清气爽、备受鼓舞、情绪高涨，因为他们知道我们是真心爱他们的。当我们感到沮丧和忧郁时，知道有良善忠实的朋友爱着我们，关心我们，还有比这更快乐的吗？当真爱展现在眼前，人们是会知道的。这就是为什么耶稣说:“你们要彼此相爱，众人就知道你们是我的门徒了。”意思就是我们应该用行动和言语去展现爱。
约翰福音 13:35 你们若有彼此相爱的心，众人因此就认出你们事我的门徒了。
讲章系列：天天向上！细胞小组运动2023 （第三部分）
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