12月1日

標　　題：不要爭競

經　　節：然而主的僕人不可爭競，只要溫溫和和地待眾人，善於教導，存心忍耐。（提摩太后書二章24節）

基督徒是不爭競的。神的真理與我們同在。我們不需要因為有人不接受神的真理，而有脅迫感或感到灰心。

有時候，人們可能不同意你所說關於神的言論。他們也許會懷疑你口中所說有關於神對你的引領，或者他們會質疑你對神的信心。在這種時刻，辯駁是絕對沒有用的。你永遠不能夠以辯論的方式，叫人進入神的國度。你永遠不可能以爭辯贏得某人，說服他相信神對你的啟示！如果你讓神依著祂的時間及祂的方式來為你辯白，你抉擇的智慧自會被證明（路加福音七：35）。如果你發現自己常常與其他人爭論，你需要求神清楚向你透露你真正的動機，及求神饒恕你不遵守祂早已言明的誡命。

如果你與人爭辯的動機，是出於想要證明自己是對的、為自己辯白、或贏得聽眾的信服，那麼你的行為太自私了，神不會以你為榮的。不管你是多麼公義及正確，神一點也不感興趣。神在意的是你的順服。神命令你不要以爭論來取勝，祂要在別人錯待你的時候，你能以仁慈及饒恕相待。以爭競為主的名贏得一場勝利，並不能榮耀神，然而，當有人錯待你或誤解你的動機時，你以忍耐的心反映出你效法基督的品格，你就能榮耀神。爭辯永遠不能使人同意你的看法，但效法基督一樣愛人，會為你贏得許多朋友！

Not Quarrelsome

And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. (2 Timothy 2:24)

There should be no quarrelsome Christians. The truth of God is within us; we need never be intimidated or frustrated by those who do not accept God’s truth.

At times people may disagree with you regarding God’s Word. Perhaps they question the way you say He is leading you, or they may challenge your faith in God. At times like these it is never helpful to argue. You will never debate anyone into the kingdom of God. You will never persuade someone that God has spoken to you by outarguing them! Only God can convince others of the veracity of His word to you. If you will allow God to vindicate you in His time, and in His way, a time will come when the wisdom of your choice will be evident (Luke 7:35). If you find yourself often quarreling with others, you need to ask God to clearly reveal your motives and to forgive you for your disobedience to His clear command.

If your motivation for arguing comes from your desire to be right, or to be exonerated, or to gain the esteem of those listening to you, you are acting selfishly, and God will not honor you. God is not interested in how right you are. He is interested in how obedient you are. God’s command is not that you win arguments, but that you are kind and forgiving when others mistreat you. You bring God no honor by winning a dispute in His name, but you reflect a Christlike character when you demonstrate patience to those who mistreat you or misunderstand your motives. Arguing may never win people to your view, but loving them as Christ does will win you many friends over time!