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•1所以，既然我们蒙怜悯受了这事奉的责任，就不丧胆，2反而把那些暗昧可耻的事弃绝了，不行诡诈，不曲解　神的道，只将真理显扬出来，好在　神面前把自己推荐给各人的良心。

你能想象有人行诡诈，曲解神的话语吗？那些假教师非常擅长这样做。耶稣称他们为披着羊皮的狼。我能想到的一个例子就是摩门教传教士，在传道时所使用的方法。听上去他们讲的全都是耶稣，但是如果你仔细研究他们的教导，你会发现他们的教导是反基督的。他们教导“人今日是什么样，神从前也是什么样;神现在是什么样子，人也会变成什么样子”（《摩门经》尼希二章）。所以他们不教导耶稣就是上帝，同时也成为了完全的人，他们教导耶稣本来就是人，通过他公义的生命才成为上帝。如果你足够努力，你也能做到。这完全不是基督教！但一开始你不会听到他们说这些。即使在保罗的时代，也有假教师用欺骗的方法歪曲神的话。

我昨天听了一篇复活节讲道，非常美，这片讲道“只将真理显扬出来”。他讲述了耶稣复活的故事，并进行了优美的解释。这片讲道让我的心思意念都沉浸在上帝的话语中，然后用耶稣复活的故事来安慰我受伤的良心和惧怕的心。离开教会的时候我想的是：“上帝今天和我说话了；”而不是在想：“这是一场精彩的演讲”。从这片讲道中，关于耶稣复活的故事，我了解了一些以前我没有想到的东西。在保罗的服事中，他从不会以这样的讲道为耻。他用简单明了的方式教导上帝的话语。上帝的话语总是有足够的力量，你不必试图让神的话语变得更好。

祷告：主耶稣啊，感谢你赐给我们你的话语，也感谢你赐给我们那些明明白白教导你话语、不歪曲你话语的人。赐给我一颗真诚倾听的心，将这些真理应用于我的内心和生活，然后与他人分享我所学到的。阿们。

2 Corinthians 4: Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.  (NIV)

How would you use deception and distort the Word of God? False teachers are good at that. Jesus called them wolves in sheep’s clothing.  The example that comes to my mind is the approach that Mormon missionaries use when they come to your door. It sounds like they are all about Jesus, but when you examine their teaching closely, it is as anti-Christian as you can get.  They teach that “what man is now, God once was; and what God is now, man will become” (Nehi II in the Book of Mormon). So instead of teaching that Jesus is God who also became fully human, they teach that Jesus was human and through his righteous life, he became God. And so can you, if you try hard. That’s not Christian at all! But you won’t hear that at first.  Even in Paul’s day, there were false teachers who used deceptive methods to distort the Word of God.

I heard a beautiful Easter sermon yesterday that preached “the truth plainly” by Professor Earl Treptow.  It told the story and explained it beautifully. It engaged my heart and mind in what God’s Word said, and then applied that story to my hurting conscience and my fearful heart. I came away thinking, “God spoke to me today,” instead of thinking, “That was a wonderful presentation.” I learned things about that story that I had not thought of before. Paul was not ashamed of that kind of preaching in his ministry. He taught God’s word simply and plainly. God’s Word will always be powerful enough without trying to make it better. 

Prayer:   Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word, and for people who teach it plainly without distorting it. Give me a heart that listens faithfully, applies these truths to my heart and life, and then shares what I’ve learned with others.  Amen.