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哥林多前书8:1-3：1论到祭偶像之物，我们晓得我们都有知识。但知识是叫人自高自大，惟有爱心能造就人。2若有人以为自己知道什么，按他所当知道的，他仍是不知道。3若有人爱神，这人乃是神所知道的。          

你是否和你认识的人曾经因为某些宗教问题产生过争论？最终的结局是怎样的？争论结束后，你是否说服他们相信你是正确的？我记得与两个摩门教的传教士坐在我家的客厅里，就某些问题绕来绕去、唇枪舌战。他们起身离开后，我妻子问我为什么对他们那么刻薄？一个星期后他们给我家送来一条非常好吃的香蕉面包。当我反思那次交流时，我不得不问我自己，“谁看上去更敬虔？”我的教义是正确的，但是我太急于赢得这场争论，并向他们展示我对圣经的熟练掌握，以至于我忘了“知识叫人自高自大，惟有爱心能造就人。”               

我想起圣经《马可福音》10章耶稣与年轻财主的故事。耶稣试图让他相信，他的好行为并不能拯救他。耶稣指出他对钱财的贪恋就是罪。马可福音10:21，“耶稣看着他就爱他，对他说：‘你还缺少一件，去变卖你所有的，分给穷人，就必有财宝在天上；你还要来跟从我。’”我试着想象耶稣脸上的表情，必定是充满了对他的爱和关心。所以当你努力为耶稣赢得一个灵魂的时候，你要努力赢得的是灵魂而不是争论。记住知识叫人自高自大，惟有爱心造就人。  

祷告：主耶稣，当我和别人谈论你或是在教导别人时，请总是将你的爱心赐给我。请赐给我温柔忍耐，尤其是爱心。我如此祈求是奉你的名。阿们。

1 Corinthians 8: Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.

Did you ever get into an argument about religion with someone you know?  How did that turn out? Did you convince them that you were right?  I remember sitting down with a couple of Mormon missionaries in my living room and going round and round with them. When they left, my wife asked me why I was so mean to them. A week later they dropped off a nice loaf of banana bread at our house. As I reflected on that exchange, I had to ask myself, “Who looked more godly?”  I had the right doctrine, but I was so intent on winning the argument and showing them my mastery of the Bible, that I forgot that “knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”

I think of the story in the Bible about Jesus and the rich young man in Mark 10.  Jesus tried to convince him that his works could not save him. He showed him that his love for his money was his sin.  “Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Mark 10:21).  I try to imagine the look on Jesus’ face, which conveyed his love and concern for him. So when you are trying to win a soul over for Jesus, try to win the soul and not the argument. Remember that knowledge puffs up while love builds up.  

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, always give me your heart of love when I am talking to others about you, or when I am teaching. Give me gentleness and patience, but especially love.  I ask this in your name.  Amen.