【双语灵修】节制 Self-control

“圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱，喜乐，和平….节制….我们若是靠圣灵得生，就当靠圣灵行事。” - 加 5:22-25

今天我们在总结思考圣灵的果子时，我们把重点放在节制上。使徒保罗在这里的讨论，让我们看到，节制对于帮助我们远离“肉体的情欲”是非常重要的。

但我们可能会想，我们如何才能真正地操练节制呢？我们怎样才能远离这里列出的所有罪状和 “情欲的事”？我们有足够的力量靠自己来控制罪欲吗？不，我们需要圣灵的能力来引导我们。

保罗所说的节制不是靠我们有罪的老我的自身力量完成的。我们只能藉着耶稣基督已经完成的工作，接受更新自我的力量来完成——也就是藉着圣灵所赐的新生命。

有了圣灵在我们里面的新生命，我们就有了一个被圣灵带领的新我。因为我们被圣灵带领，所以我们才能“靠圣灵行事”。就像一棵树或一根葡萄枝子，有了圣灵的生命在我们里面，我们就可以结出“圣灵的果子”，如“仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、温柔、节制”。

这就是圣灵在我们身上的工作，我们每天都要撇弃自己旧有的、自私的、罪恶的本性，使我们能在圣灵的掌管下生活。

祷告

主啊，请引导我们将旧的、罪恶的本性以及“肉体的邪情私欲”钉在十字架上，使我们能享受在圣灵里的自由生命。阿们。

加拉太书 5:16-26

16我说，你们当顺着圣灵而行，就不放纵肉体的情欲了。
17因为情欲和圣灵相争，圣灵和情欲相争，这两个是彼此相敌，使你们不能做所愿意做的。
18但你们若被圣灵引导，就不在律法以下。
19情欲的事都是显而易见的，就如奸淫、污秽、邪荡、
20拜偶像、邪术、仇恨、争竞、忌恨、恼怒、结党、纷争、异端、
21嫉妒、醉酒、荒宴等类。我从前告诉你们，现在又告诉你们：行这样事的人必不能承受神的国。
22圣灵所结的果子，就是仁爱、喜乐、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、信实、
23温柔、节制；这样的事没有律法禁止。
24凡属基督耶稣的人，是已经把肉体连肉体的邪情私欲同钉在十字架上了。
25我们若是靠圣灵得生，就当靠圣灵行事。
26不要贪图虚名，彼此惹气，互相嫉妒。

Self-control

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace . . . and self-control. . . . Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." - Galatians 5:22-25

As we wrap up our reflections on the fruit of the Spirit today, we focus on self-control. In the apostle Paul's discussion here, we can see that self-control is very important for helping us turn away from "the desires of the flesh."

But we may wonder, How can we actually practice self-control? How can we turn away from all the sins and "actions of the flesh" that are listed here? Are we strong enough to control our sinful desires on our own? No. We need the power of God the Holy Spirit to guide us.

The self-control that Paul is talking about is not accomplished by the power of our old, sinful self. It can only be accomplished in the power of the new self that we receive through the finished work of Jesus Christ—that is, the new life that comes to us by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

With the new life of the Spirit in us, we have a new self that is led by the Spirit. And because we are led by the Spirit, we can "keep in step with the Spirit." Like a tree or a vine with the life of the Spirit in us, we can bear "the fruit of the Spirit" such as "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

This is the Spirit's work in us, and we need to surrender our old, selfish, sinful nature each day so that we can live by the control of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Guide us, Lord, to crucify the old, sinful nature "with its passions and desires" so that we will enjoy life in the Spirit. Amen.