華洲溫哥華-鄉下生活

轉譯: “每日新生命”與神親近一思...認罪悔改

Finding a Confidant 找一個知己密友

by Steve Arterburn

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." - John 1:9

那光是真光，照亮一切生在世上的人。約翰福音1:9

God is always our first and primary audience for confession. But He isn't our only audience. Scripture tells us also to confess our sins to fellow believers. This is an extremely important and beneficial aspect of spiritual growth and health, if conducted wisely. 

神總是我們第一個和主要認罪悔改的聽眾。但祂不是我們唯一的聽眾。聖經告訴我們要同樣地向肢體夥伴認罪悔改。這對靈性成長和靈命康健來說﹐極為重要而且有益處﹐如果處理得有智慧。

First, let me say that this type of confession isn't an all-encompassing command. That is, it isn't “spilling your guts” to anyone and everyone nosey enough to listen. Never confess to anyone who isn't spiritually mature.

首先﹐我要說明這種類型的認罪悔改﹐不是包涵所有人的命令。那是﹐並非碰到任何人和每個好管閒事的人就掏心掏肺地說給人聽。絕對不要對任何一個靈命不成熟的人做認罪悔改。

Second, confession to fellow believers is an act of trust, and this makes you highly vulnerable. The person to whom you confess must be able to keep your confession. If you can’t trust your confidant, he shouldn't be your confidant. To be of value, confession must be honest and complete﹐ you must feel safe in your selection of confidant.

其次﹐向肢體夥伴認罪悔改是一種信任的行為﹐而且讓你高度脆弱。你要做認罪悔改的對象務必要能保密認罪的內容。如果你不能信任你的知己密友﹐他就不是你的知己密友。有意義的認罪悔改必須坦誠和完整﹐你一定得對密友的選擇感到保險可靠。

So, stay true to God’s instruction to confess our sins to one another, but be wise and be cautious.

如此﹐忠實地依照神的教導彼此認罪悔改﹐但要明智和小心。

Translation copyright © 2007 Priscilla Wey