Choose Forgiveness, Not Gossip
选择宽容，不说闲话
Nov 16, 2016
“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends” (Proverbs 17:9 NLT, second edition).
"包容过错的，寻求友爱；喋喋不休的，离间密友。"(箴17:9 和合本修订版)
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.
让我们先承认这个事实：当你的身边有一些容易制造麻烦人的时候，当她（或他，下同）刚好又做了一次令人疯狂的事情，你几乎不可能不上车，解锁你的手机，然后打给某个人，说：“你不会想到她所做的！”事实上，你甚至都会将她所做的，发信息给别人。这就是我们身边有这样人的时候我们所做的。我们想要告诉其他人。我们想要得到别人的肯定。这时候，似乎不再计较成了世界上最难做到的事情，也许当我们在传播有关疯狂制造者是有多么疯狂的时候，我们会感觉很棒，但是那却没有爱。
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).
圣经说，要饶恕，甚至对你的仇敌都要。箴言17:9说：“包容过错的，寻求友爱；喋喋不休的，离间密友。”(箴17:9 和合本修订版)
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.
什么是闲话？闲话就是与问题之外的人分享有关一些事情的情况。那个人或许在这件事情中没有参与任何事，但是你却因着自己能感觉好一些，而把她牵扯到其中。闲话的本质，是报复的表现形式。你不是通过和他谈话来报复他，而是在背后议论他。
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.
闲话有难以置信的破坏力。它可以破坏教会，家庭，生意。它也可以破坏你的生命。使你痛哭，离间密友。
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.
闲话最坏的事情就是让那些制造麻烦的人得胜了！突然间，那个人就掌控了你的社交，她控制了你的情绪。你整天都是在谈论她，代替了谈论那些你生命中发生的重要的事情。不要让那个人得胜！不要因着选择谈论闲话，而让疯狂制造者得胜！
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).
圣经在彼得前书3:9说到：“不要以恶报恶，以辱骂还辱骂，倒要祝福，因为你们正是为此蒙召的，好使你们承受福气。”(和合本修订版)
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.
你可以说闲话，而失去上帝的祝福。或者你可以选择积极的对话去造就别人，那样，你这么做的时候，将会得到上帝在你生命中的祝福。
Talk It Over
讨论问题
What are your strategies for avoiding or confronting gossip?
你在面对或者避免说闲话有什么策略？
Why do you think it is so hard to walk away from gossip?
为什么你觉的从闲话当中走出来是很难得？
How can you turn gossip into a positive conversation?
你如何从说闲话中转向积极的对话？
