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青少年类 › 用话与灵带领少年人 › 第十四篇　话是神的出来，灵是神的进入

第十四篇　话是神的出来，灵是神的进入

用话与灵带领少年人

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　　提后三16~17说，“圣经都是神的呼出，对于教训、督责、改正、在义上的教导，都是有益的，叫属神的人得以完备，为着各样的善工，装备齐全。”这里说到圣经，对于教训、教导，并为着各样的善工都是有益的。而约壹二27说，“你们从祂所领受的膏油涂抹，住在你们里面，并不需要人教导你们，乃有祂的膏油涂抹，在凡事上教导你们；这膏油涂抹是真实地，不是虚谎的，你们要按这膏油涂抹所教导你们的，住在祂里面。”这里提到膏油涂抹时，也说到教导的问题，并且是在凡事上教导。我们把这两处圣经对比一下，就不难看见，圣经和膏油涂抹所作的事非常相同。
　
　　神一面是话，在话里头；神另一面也是灵，在灵里头（约一1，四24）。光说到神，我们很难捉摸得到。但当神是话的时候，我们就能摸着神，因为话是将神发表出来的。如果神不是话，或者说神没有话，我们就没有办法摸着神。这不但在看不见的神是如此，在我们这些看得见的人也不例外。若是我站在讲台上，一直不开口，站了一个半钟头，台下的人个个都必纳闷，要说这是怎么一回事？这个人里头有什么故事？这个人是个怎样的人？但如果我一直在讲台上说话，台下的人就一点也不纳闷，他们就能在我的话里认识我。我的话说得越多，他们就越认识我，因为我这个人在话里面出来了。
　　话是一个人的发表。除非人不说话，只要人一开口，他里头一切的故事就无法隐藏，都要显露出来。大家都知道彼得否认主的事。当主耶稣被拿的时候，彼得也跟着进了大祭司的院子，和那些差役一同坐着烤火。有一个使女看见他，就说，“你也是同那加利利人耶稣一起的。”彼得就极力否认说，“我不知道你说的是什么。”（太二六69~70）但是他越否认，他加利利的口音越把他露出来。所以，人的话总是人的发表。
　　圣经是神的话，也是这样。神是借着祂的话，把祂自己发表出来，说明出来。因此提后三章说，“圣经都是神的呼出。”（16）神是把什么呼出来？简单的说，神是把祂自己呼出来。圣经一切的话，无论是说到神的旨意、神的心意、神的计划、还是神的作为，都是把神自己发表出来，说明出来，叫我们得以认识祂，得着祂。所以我们也可以说，圣经就是发表出来的神。
　　圣经既是这样一本奇妙的书，我们切不可把它当作一本讲学问的书，也不可把它看作一本讲教训的书，或是一本普通宗教的经典；圣经远超过这些。虽然圣经里面有一些地方也有教训，论到我们该怎样行事为人，但是圣经的本质乃是神的发表，是发表出来的神。所以当你每一次读圣经的时候，里头都该有个很重的感觉：“这是神自己的发表，我现在乃是接触我所敬拜的神。我不仅是来接触神的话语，我更是来接触这一位发表出来的神。”你若有这样的观念，当你来读圣经的时候，无论读那一章、那一节，你都会遇着神，都会感觉神在向你显现。
　
　　常有弟兄姊妹对我说，“李弟兄，我们读经有两个难处，一个难处是读不懂，还有一个难处是读过就忘，一点记不住。因为有这两个难处，所以我们就不愿读经了。”我就告诉他们，这些并不算是难处。比方，有人请你去吃饭，有的时候吃西餐，有的时候吃东洋料理。你吃了好多菜，许多时候也不一定懂得，那是什么菜。虽然不懂得，却也能吃得很饱。我们读圣经也是如此。只要能读得饱足，懂不懂是很次要的事。
　　比方，当你读到历代志、但以理书、或启示录的时候，许多地方都是很难懂得。就如但以理书里，尼布甲尼撒所梦见的异象，有一个大人像，头是精金的，胸膛和膀臂是银的，肚腹和腰是铜的，腿是铁的，脚是半铁半泥的（二31~33），这到底是什么意思？又如启示录里面有七印、七号和七碗（启五1~2，八6，十六1），这些东西也常常是越读越糊涂。但是请你想想看，你这样读过七印、七号、七碗，虽然读不出来什么意思，但是当你安静在主面前的时候，很希奇的，你里头饱足了。虽然你读了一点也不明白，但是这和不读大不相同。你若不读经，里头定规是空的、饿的。你若读了圣经，虽然没有多少领会，甚至一句都不懂，但是莫名其妙的，里头却是饱足的。
　　所以一个人读经，并不在于懂得还是不懂得。因为圣经是神的发表，和任何的书不同。普通的书读懂了才有用，读不懂就一无所得。圣经却不是这样，虽然许多时候你读不懂，但是当你读的时候，你里头觉得饱足。你觉得里头碰着了一个属灵的东西，是你的头脑所不能解释的。简单说，你所碰着的就是神自己。
　
　　读经记不住地问题，还是同样的原则。我们自己也常忘记昨天吃了什么东西。但是无论你记得也好，不记得也好，总归你吃了东西。我们读神的话也是如此，好多时候，虽然读过又忘记了，但是我们不能不承认，我们借着读经，的确接触了神，碰着了神。
　　这就像有人作日光浴，每天在太阳底下晒五分钟，或者十分钟。过后虽然不晒了，好像日光走掉了，但是日光浴的果效却留在身上。这又像人洗澡一样，没有一个人洗过澡，满身还带着水。人一洗过澡，身上的水就会干了。但是人这样洗过澡，总是把身上许多脏东西洗掉了。读圣经也是这样。虽然你读过之后，也许懂得不多，记住的更少，但总归你是在神的面光中经过了一次，也是在生命的活水里沐浴了一次，你里面又新鲜、明亮了。你有这样的读经，就很够了。
　　所以要记得，读圣经并不在于明白，也不在于记得，完全在于和神的话，就是神的发表，也就是发表出来的神，接触一下。你每一次读圣经的时候，必须有这一个观念，不是用头脑来研究，乃是用心和灵来接触神自己。当你这样读圣经，接触神自己时，你就得着了满足。这时，你即使记不住，也不是太大的难处。
　
　　当我们读圣经的时候，必须提防好奇求知的心。许多人在读圣经的事上，受到好奇求知的打扰。比方，你翻开新约来读，一开头就是太一1：“耶稣基督，大卫的子孙，亚伯拉罕子孙的家谱。”你头脑里马上有一个问题，大卫是谁？亚伯拉罕是谁？你接着读下去，底下又说亚伯拉罕生以撒，以撒生雅各（2）。一连串的谁生谁，又把你搞得一塌糊涂。虽然你每一个字都认识，意义却读不懂。你就是查字典，找参考书，还是查不出一个究竟。结果你忙了半天，还是一无所得。这就是读经受了好奇求知的搅扰。
　　因此，读圣经千万不要太用头脑，不可以太求知。要记得，这本圣经乃是神的发表。所以你来读经，目的也应当是来接触神。你读的时候能懂得自然很好，若是碰到不能懂得的，你让它去就是了，千万不要勉强去求明白。你若这样来读马太一章，不受不明白的搅扰，也不受要寻求明白的搅扰。当你读完这一章，你会发现里头有了一点饱足，有了一点新鲜，就好像经过一次日光浴，或者洗了一个澡一样。请记得，这个就是接触神的读经。
　　圣经是神的话，是神的发表。而神发表祂自己的目的，乃是要进到我们里头来作生命。神太奥秘了，如果神不是话，我们就无法接触祂。但感谢神，祂是话，我们摸着这个话，就是摸着神；接触这个话，就是接触神。所以我们要接触神，享受祂作生命，就必须读圣经。但是要当心，读的时候不要受引诱，以致太用头脑来研究。你必须认定圣经是神的发表，而用心和灵来接触它。如果是这样，你读圣经的结果，必是里面得着滋润和饱足，感觉甘甜和安息。
　
　　另一面，神不只在祂的话里面，也在祂的灵里面。神在话里面，是神把祂自己发表出来；神在灵里面，是神进到我们里面。神从祂里面出来是话，神进到我们里面是灵。所以话是神的出来，灵是神的进入。神是话乃是神的出来，神是灵乃是神的进入。神是话是祂把自己摆在我们跟前，神是灵是祂要进到我们里面。
　
　　虽然话和灵有这些讲究，但实在说，话就是灵，灵也就是话。灵在我们外面就是话，话进到我们里面就是灵。什么时候你把圣经的话读到里面，这时候的话就是灵。
　　比方，林后六章有一句话说，“你们跟不信的，不要不配地同负一轭。”（14）这虽是在外面的话，但当你读的时候，你觉得里头有一个运行，叫你感觉不能再和不信的人交朋友了。这就是话进到你的里头，在你里头有一个运行，这一个就是灵的运行。所以话一进到里面，就变作灵。
　　请大家记得，乃是当话这样在人里面变作灵，并且运行在人里面的时候，话才是生命。虽然圣经是一本生命的书，但是认真说，摆在外面的圣经，并不是生命。圣经必须读到里面，圣经的话成了运行的灵，才是生命。主说，“我对你们所说的话，就是灵，就是生命。”（约六63）这告诉我们，只有当话是灵的时候，才是生命。圣经若单纯是话，还不是生命。话必须变作灵，才是生命。什么叫作话变作灵？就是话进到你里面了。所以认真说，在你手里的圣经还不是生命。不仅如此，你就是凭头脑来读圣经，圣经也不是生命，还不过是一些字句。乃是当你凭着灵来读圣经，让这本书的话，碰着你的灵而进到你的里面，这时候，话才是灵，才是生命。
　
　　因此你若要认识神，经历神作生命，你就必须经历神是话，也经历神是灵。因为神今天是在祂的话里面，也在祂的灵里面。今天我们来摸神，接触神，不但不是渺茫的，倒是非常具体的，并且是有步骤的。我们要把外面的人静下来，管住我们的头脑，运用我们的灵，来读主的话，接触主的话，这些话就要变作灵，在我们里面运行。这样，我们的灵就接触了神。
　　这实在是一件又奇妙、又奥秘的事。三而一的神，就在祂的话和祂的灵里面，并且祂的灵和祂的话是相通的，也是相连的。若是光有灵，人就无法领会，也无法揣摩。如今神把祂的灵摆在祂的话里面，就非常具体了。
　　盼望弟兄姊妹看见，这些不是宗教的事，这些完全是接触神作生命的事。宗教的规条是告诉人：你要作这个，你要作那个；或者说你不要作这个，不要作那个。而神的救恩乃是告诉我们，神在宇宙中所愿意作的一件事，就是要进到人里面作生命。
　
　　神怎样来作生命呢？祂是话，成为肉体，经过死而复活，成为那灵，那灵又进到信祂的人里面。话成肉体是把神带到人里面，死而复活是把人带到神里面。祂这样完成了神和人、人和神联结的调和，就叫神能作为那灵进到人里面，来作人的生命。这一位灵里面所包含的成分相当多，有神的成分，也有人的成分；有死的成分，也有复活的成分；有神和人相调的成分，还有属天的成分；这些成分都在这位灵里，而这位灵就是神自己。
　　但对于我们来说，神是灵也许还不够具体。所以神体谅我们的软弱，就照着我们所能领会的，又给了我们圣经。这一本圣经是神的话，就是神的呼出。神是灵，到了有一天，灵化身在话的里面，所以话就是灵的具体表现。话里面的生命就是灵，灵的具体表现就是话。感谢神，祂不只作为灵临到我们，祂也在话里临到我们。祂不只把灵给我们，祂也把话给我们。这是莫大的恩典！我们来接触祂的话，祂的灵就进到我们里面。
　　你的光景若是正常的，当你每一次来读圣经的时候，外面所接触的虽然是话，里头所得着的乃是灵。什么时候你一得着话，你就得着灵，也就得着神。而得着神的结果，就是生命。你若天天这样来接触神，经历神，接受祂的话，而得着祂的灵，你就经历祂作生命。
　　所以，盼望你们会对待在你们手中的这一本圣经，也会对待在你们里面的圣灵。我们实在是富有！我们里面有圣灵，我们手中有圣经。这两者的丰富是取之不尽，用之不竭的！两千年来，从未有人用尽它，都是越支取越丰富。我取用已经三十五年了，我能作一点见证，实在是越用越丰富。我们所得着的丰富，是在时间里所无法经历得完的。但愿我们会说，金银我都没有，但我有圣经，也有圣灵。
　
　　末了，请大家抓住一件事，你既有了圣经和圣灵，你就要在生活行事上合于圣经和圣灵，不要和这两者相抵触。基督释放了你，叫你得以自由，但永远不可越过圣经和圣灵。当你与圣经和圣灵冲突的时候，总要让圣经和圣灵得胜，自己失败。你应该服下来，接受圣经和圣灵所摸着你的。要一直学习，和这二者合得来。宁可自己失败，自己吃亏，甚至叫自己伤痛，也不得罪圣经和圣灵。你若肯这样，你就能天天碰着话，得着灵，而在圣灵里实际的经历神作生命。
　　一九五九年八月一日讲于香港青年特会
　　原刊于一九六〇年二月“话语职事”第一百零四期
　　提后三章十六至十七节说，“圣经都是神的呼出，对于教训、督责、改正、在义上的教导，都是有益的，叫属神的人得以完备，为着各样的善工，装备齐全。”这里说到圣经，对于教训、教导，并为着各样的善工都是有益的。而约壹二章二十七节说，“你们从祂所领受的膏油涂抹，住在你们里面，并不需要人教导你们，乃有祂的膏油涂抹，在凡事上教导你们；这膏油涂抹是真实地，不是虚谎的，你们要按这膏油涂抹所教导你们的，住在祂里面。”这里提到膏油涂抹时，也说到教导的问题，并且是在凡事上教导。我们把这两处圣经对比一下，就不难看见，圣经和膏油涂抹所作的事非常相同。
--------本段经节汇集--------
提后3:16  
圣经都是神的呼出，对于教训、督责、改正、在义上的教导，都是有益的，
提后3:17  
叫属神的人得以完备，为着各样的善工，装备齐全。
约壹2:27  
你们从祂所领受的膏油涂抹，住在你们里面，并不需要人教导你们，乃有祂的膏油涂抹，在凡事上教导你们；这膏油涂抹是真实的，不是虚谎的，你们要按这膏油涂抹所教导你们的，住在祂里面。
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　　神一面是话，在话里头；神另一面也是灵，在灵里头（约一1，四24）。光说到神，我们很难捉摸得到。但当神是话的时候，我们就能摸着神，因为话是将神发表出来的。如果神不是话，或者说神没有话，我们就没有办法摸着神。这不但在看不见的神是如此，在我们这些看得见的人也不例外。若是我站在讲台上，一直不开口，站了一个半钟头，台下的人个个都必纳闷，要说这是怎么一回事？这个人里头有什么故事？这个人是个怎样的人？但如果我一直在讲台上说话，台下的人就一点也不纳闷，他们就能在我的话里认识我。我的话说得越多，他们就越认识我，因为我这个人在话里面出来了。
--------本段经节汇集--------
约1:1  
太初有话，话与神同在，话就是神。
约4:24  
神是灵；敬拜祂的，必须在灵和真实里敬拜。
约翰福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　话是一个人的发表。除非人不说话，只要人一开口，他里头一切的故事就无法隐藏，都要显露出来。大家都知道彼得否认主的事。当主耶稣被拿的时候，彼得也跟着进了大祭司的院子，和那些差役一同坐着烤火。有一个使女看见他，就说，“你也是同那加利利人耶稣一起的。”彼得就极力否认说，“我不知道你说的是什么。”（太二六69~70）但是他越否认，他加利利的口音越把他露出来。所以，人的话总是人的发表。
--------本段经节汇集--------
太26:69  
彼得却在外面院子里坐着，有一个使女来到他跟前，说，你也是同那加利利人耶稣一起的。
太26:70  
彼得在众人面前却不承认，说，我不知道你说的是什么。
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　　圣经是神的话，也是这样。神是借着祂的话，把祂自己发表出来，说明出来。因此提后三章说，“圣经都是神的呼出。”（16）神是把什么呼出来？简单的说，神是把祂自己呼出来。圣经一切的话，无论是说到神的旨意、神的心意、神的计划、还是神的作为，都是把神自己发表出来，说明出来，叫我们得以认识祂，得着祂。所以我们也可以说，圣经就是发表出来的神。
--------本段经节汇集--------
提摩太后书三章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
提后3:16  
圣经都是神的呼出，对于教训、督责、改正、在义上的教导，都是有益的，
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　　圣经既是这样一本奇妙的书，我们切不可把它当作一本讲学问的书，也不可把它看作一本讲教训的书，或是一本普通宗教的经典；圣经远超过这些。虽然圣经里面有一些地方也有教训，论到我们该怎样行事为人，但是圣经的本质乃是神的发表，是发表出来的神。所以当你每一次读圣经的时候，里头都该有个很重的感觉：“这是神自己的发表，我现在乃是接触我所敬拜的神。我不仅是来接触神的话语，我更是来接触这一位发表出来的神。”你若有这样的观念，当你来读圣经的时候，无论读那一章、那一节，你都会遇着神，都会感觉神在向你显现。
　
　　常有弟兄姊妹对我说，“李弟兄，我们读经有两个难处，一个难处是读不懂，还有一个难处是读过就忘，一点记不住。因为有这两个难处，所以我们就不愿读经了。”我就告诉他们，这些并不算是难处。比方，有人请你去吃饭，有的时候吃西餐，有的时候吃东洋料理。你吃了好多菜，许多时候也不一定懂得，那是什么菜。虽然不懂得，却也能吃得很饱。我们读圣经也是如此。只要能读得饱足，懂不懂是很次要的事。　　比方，当你读到历代志、但以理书、或启示录的时候，许多地方都是很难懂得。就如但以理书里，尼布甲尼撒所梦见的异象，有一个大人像，头是精金的，胸膛和膀臂是银的，肚腹和腰是铜的，腿是铁的，脚是半铁半泥的（二31~33），这到底是什么意思？又如启示录里面有七印、七号和七碗（启五1~2，八6，十六1），这些东西也常常是越读越糊涂。但是请你想想看，你这样读过七印、七号、七碗，虽然读不出来什么意思，但是当你安静在主面前的时候，很希奇的，你里头饱足了。虽然你读了一点也不明白，但是这和不读大不相同。你若不读经，里头定规是空的、饿的。你若读了圣经，虽然没有多少领会，甚至一句都不懂，但是莫名其妙的，里头却是饱足的。
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但2:31  
王啊，你观看，看见一个大像。这像巨大，极其光耀，站在你面前，样子甚是可怕。
但2:32  
这像的头是精金的，胸膛和膀臂是银的，肚腹和腰是铜的，
但2:33  
腿是铁的，脚是半铁半泥的。
启5:1  
我看见坐宝座的右手中有书卷，里外都写着字，用七印封严了。
启5:2  
我又看见一位大力的天使，大声宣传说，有谁配展开那书卷，揭开它的七印？
启8:6  
拿着七号的七位天使，就预备要吹号。
启16:1  
我听见有大声音从殿中出来，向那七位天使说，你们去，把盛神烈怒的七碗倒在地上。
启示录七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
启示录七章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　所以一个人读经，并不在于懂得还是不懂得。因为圣经是神的发表，和任何的书不同。普通的书读懂了才有用，读不懂就一无所得。圣经却不是这样，虽然许多时候你读不懂，但是当你读的时候，你里头觉得饱足。你觉得里头碰着了一个属灵的东西，是你的头脑所不能解释的。简单说，你所碰着的就是神自己。
　
　　读经记不住地问题，还是同样的原则。我们自己也常忘记昨天吃了什么东西。但是无论你记得也好，不记得也好，总归你吃了东西。我们读神的话也是如此，好多时候，虽然读过又忘记了，但是我们不能不承认，我们借着读经，的确接触了神，碰着了神。　　这就像有人作日光浴，每天在太阳底下晒五分钟，或者十分钟。过后虽然不晒了，好像日光走掉了，但是日光浴的果效却留在身上。这又像人洗澡一样，没有一个人洗过澡，满身还带着水。人一洗过澡，身上的水就会干了。但是人这样洗过澡，总是把身上许多脏东西洗掉了。读圣经也是这样。虽然你读过之后，也许懂得不多，记住的更少，但总归你是在神的面光中经过了一次，也是在生命的活水里沐浴了一次，你里面又新鲜、明亮了。你有这样的读经，就很够了。　　所以要记得，读圣经并不在于明白，也不在于记得，完全在于和神的话，就是神的发表，也就是发表出来的神，接触一下。你每一次读圣经的时候，必须有这一个观念，不是用头脑来研究，乃是用心和灵来接触神自己。当你这样读圣经，接触神自己时，你就得着了满足。这时，你即使记不住，也不是太大的难处。
　
　　当我们读圣经的时候，必须提防好奇求知的心。许多人在读圣经的事上，受到好奇求知的打扰。比方，你翻开新约来读，一开头就是马太一章一节：“耶稣基督，大卫的子孙，亚伯拉罕子孙的家谱。”你头脑里马上有一个问题，大卫是谁？亚伯拉罕是谁？你接着读下去，底下又说亚伯拉罕生以撒，以撒生雅各（2）。一连串的谁生谁，又把你搞得一塌糊涂。虽然你每一个字都认识，意义却读不懂。你就是查字典，找参考书，还是查不出一个究竟。结果你忙了半天，还是一无所得。这就是读经受了好奇求知的搅扰。
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太1:1  
耶稣基督，大卫的子孙，亚伯拉罕子孙的家谱：
太1:2  
亚伯拉罕生以撒，以撒生雅各，雅各生犹大和他的弟兄们，
马太福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　因此，读圣经千万不要太用头脑，不可以太求知。要记得，这本圣经乃是神的发表。所以你来读经，目的也应当是来接触神。你读的时候能懂得自然很好，若是碰到不能懂得的，你让它去就是了，千万不要勉强去求明白。你若这样来读马太一章，不受不明白的搅扰，也不受要寻求明白的搅扰。当你读完这一章，你会发现里头有了一点饱足，有了一点新鲜，就好像经过一次日光浴，或者洗了一个澡一样。请记得，这个就是接触神的读经。
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马太福音一章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　圣经是神的话，是神的发表。而神发表祂自己的目的，乃是要进到我们里头来作生命。神太奥秘了，如果神不是话，我们就无法接触祂。但感谢神，祂是话，我们摸着这个话，就是摸着神；接触这个话，就是接触神。所以我们要接触神，享受祂作生命，就必须读圣经。但是要当心，读的时候不要受引诱，以致太用头脑来研究。你必须认定圣经是神的发表，而用心和灵来接触它。如果是这样，你读圣经的结果，必是里面得着滋润和饱足，感觉甘甜和安息。
　
　　另一面，神不只在祂的话里面，也在祂的灵里面。神在话里面，是神把祂自己发表出来；神在灵里面，是神进到我们里面。神从祂里面出来是话，神进到我们里面是灵。所以话是神的出来，灵是神的进入。神是话乃是神的出来，神是灵乃是神的进入。神是话是祂把自己摆在我们跟前，神是灵是祂要进到我们里面。
　
　　虽然话和灵有这些讲究，但实在说，话就是灵，灵也就是话。灵在我们外面就是话，话进到我们里面就是灵。什么时候你把圣经的话读到里面，这时候的话就是灵。　　比方，林后六章有一句话说，“你们跟不信的，不要不配地同负一轭。”（14）这虽是在外面的话，但当你读的时候，你觉得里头有一个运行，叫你感觉不能再和不信的人交朋友了。这就是话进到你的里头，在你里头有一个运行，这一个就是灵的运行。所以话一进到里面，就变作灵。
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哥林多后书六章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
林后6:14  
你们跟不信的，不要不配地同负一轭，因为义和不法有什么合伙？光对黑暗有什么交通？
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　　请大家记得，乃是当话这样在人里面变作灵，并且运行在人里面的时候，话才是生命。虽然圣经是一本生命的书，但是认真说，摆在外面的圣经，并不是生命。圣经必须读到里面，圣经的话成了运行的灵，才是生命。主说，“我对你们所说的话，就是灵，就是生命。”（约六63）这告诉我们，只有当话是灵的时候，才是生命。圣经若单纯是话，还不是生命。话必须变作灵，才是生命。什么叫作话变作灵？就是话进到你里面了。所以认真说，在你手里的圣经还不是生命。不仅如此，你就是凭头脑来读圣经，圣经也不是生命，还不过是一些字句。乃是当你凭着灵来读圣经，让这本书的话，碰着你的灵而进到你的里面，这时候，话才是灵，才是生命。
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约6:63  
赐人生命的乃是灵，肉是无益的；我对你们所说的话，就是灵，就是生命。
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　　因此你若要认识神，经历神作生命，你就必须经历神是话，也经历神是灵。因为神今天是在祂的话里面，也在祂的灵里面。今天我们来摸神，接触神，不但不是渺茫的，倒是非常具体的，并且是有步骤的。我们要把外面的人静下来，管住我们的头脑，运用我们的灵，来读主的话，接触主的话，这些话就要变作灵，在我们里面运行。这样，我们的灵就接触了神。　　这实在是一件又奇妙、又奥秘的事。三而一的神，就在祂的话和祂的灵里面，并且祂的灵和祂的话是相通的，也是相连的。若是光有灵，人就无法领会，也无法揣摩。如今神把祂的灵摆在祂的话里面，就非常具体了。　　盼望弟兄姊妹看见，这些不是宗教的事，这些完全是接触神作生命的事。宗教的规条是告诉人：你要作这个，你要作那个；或者说你不要作这个，不要作那个。而神的救恩乃是告诉我们，神在宇宙中所愿意作的一件事，就是要进到人里面作生命。
　
　　神怎样来作生命呢？祂是话，成为肉体，经过死而复活，成为那灵，那灵又进到信祂的人里面。话成肉体是把神带到人里面，死而复活是把人带到神里面。祂这样完成了神和人、人和神联结的调和，就叫神能作为那灵进到人里面，来作人的生命。这一位灵里面所包含的成分相当多，有神的成分，也有人的成分；有死的成分，也有复活的成分；有神和人相调的成分，还有属天的成分；这些成分都在这位灵里，而这位灵就是神自己。　　但对于我们来说，神是灵也许还不够具体。所以神体谅我们的软弱，就照着我们所能领会的，又给了我们圣经。这一本圣经是神的话，就是神的呼出。神是灵，到了有一天，灵化身在话的里面，所以话就是灵的具体表现。话里面的生命就是灵，灵的具体表现就是话。感谢神，祂不只作为灵临到我们，祂也在话里临到我们。祂不只把灵给我们，祂也把话给我们。这是莫大的恩典！我们来接触祂的话，祂的灵就进到我们里面。　　你的光景若是正常的，当你每一次来读圣经的时候，外面所接触的虽然是话，里头所得着的乃是灵。什么时候你一得着话，你就得着灵，也就得着神。而得着神的结果，就是生命。你若天天这样来接触神，经历神，接受祂的话，而得着祂的灵，你就经历祂作生命。　　所以，盼望你们会对待在你们手中的这一本圣经，也会对待在你们里面的圣灵。我们实在是富有！我们里面有圣灵，我们手中有圣经。这两者的丰富是取之不尽，用之不竭的！两千年来，从未有人用尽它，都是越支取越丰富。我取用已经三十五年了，我能作一点见证，实在是越用越丰富。我们所得着的丰富，是在时间里所无法经历得完的。但愿我们会说，金银我都没有，但我有圣经，也有圣灵。
　
　　末了，请大家抓住一件事，你既有了圣经和圣灵，你就要在生活行事上合于圣经和圣灵，不要和这两者相抵触。基督释放了你，叫你得以自由，但永远不可越过圣经和圣灵。当你与圣经和圣灵冲突的时候，总要让圣经和圣灵得胜，自己失败。你应该服下来，接受圣经和圣灵所摸着你的。要一直学习，和这二者合得来。宁可自己失败，自己吃亏，甚至叫自己伤痛，也不得罪圣经和圣灵。你若肯这样，你就能天天碰着话，得着灵，而在圣灵里实际的经历神作生命。　　一九五九年八月一日讲于香港青年特会　　原刊于一九六〇年二月“话语职事”第一百零四期
　Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” All Scripture, the Bible, is profitable for teaching, instruction, and equipping us for every good work. First John 2:27 says, “As for you, the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you; but as His anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, abide in Him.” Here the matter of teaching is associated with the anointing, the moving of the Spirit in us. When we contrast these two portions of the Bible, it is easy to see that the Scriptures and the anointing are related to each other.
　
THE WORD OF GOD BEING THE COMING FORTH OF GOD
　God is the Word, and He is in the Word (John 1:1). God is also the Spirit, and He is in the Spirit (4:24). If God were not the Word, it would be very difficult for us to contact or touch Him. However, as the Word, God is tangible and touchable because the Word is God expressed. If God were not the Word or if He did not speak, we would not be able to touch Him. This truth applies not only to the invisible God but even to visible men. If I stood on the podium but remained silent for an hour and a half, the saints would be puzzled and ask, “What is the matter? What is Brother Lee thinking?” However, when I speak, the saints know what I am thinking. The more I speak, the more they know me, because I am expressed through my words.
　Words are the expression of a person. If a person does not speak, everything within him remains hidden, but as soon as he opens his mouth, everything begins to be revealed. Consider the story of Peter’s denial of the Lord. When the Lord Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Him until he was in the courtyard of the high priest. While he was sitting with the attendants and warming himself in the light of the fire (Mark 14:54), a servant girl saw him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” (Matt. 26:69-70). However, the more he denied it, the more he was exposed by his Galilean accent (v. 73). This shows that a person’s words are the expression of the person.
　In the same way, the Scriptures are God’s words. God expresses Himself and explains Himself through His words. Consequently, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed.” When God breathes out, He breathes out Himself. All the words in the Bible, whether they relate to God’s purpose, plan, or acts, express and explain God so that we may know Him and gain Him. Hence, we can say that the Scriptures are God expressed.
　Since the Bible is such a wonderful book, we should never regard it as an academic book or as a book of religious teachings. The Bible surpasses every book. Although there are portions in the Bible that contain teachings which are seemingly related to conduct, the essence of the Bible is the expression of God, that is, God expressed. Every time we read the Bible, we should have a strong sense that the Bible is the expression of God Himself. We should realize that we are contacting the God who has been expressed. If this is our concept when we read the Bible, we will meet God and sense that God is appearing to us, no matter what chapter or verse we are reading.
　
Being Unable to Understand the Bible Not Being a Problem
　Some brothers and sisters often say, “Brother Lee, when I read the Bible, I cannot understand what I am reading, and I cannot remember what I have read. Consequently, I do not have much desire to read the Bible.” When I hear this, I tell them that these are not problems at all, and I say, “When you are invited to a meal, sometimes you are served Western food, and sometimes you are served Asian food. Although you do not always know what you are eating, you are still satisfied. As long as we are nourished and satisfied in our reading of the Bible, understanding what we have read is a secondary matter.
　When we read 1 and 2 Chronicles, Daniel, or Revelation, there are many portions that are very difficult to understand. The book of Daniel, for example, records King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great human image with a head of gold, a breast and arms of silver, an abdomen and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay (2:31-33). The meaning of this dream is not easy to understand. In the book of Revelation there are seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls (5:1-2; 8:6; 16:1), all of which are confusing to us. Nevertheless, after reading about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and about the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls, we feel as if we have been fed and satisfied, even though our understanding is limited. Even though we do not understand everything that we read, we do not have a feeling of being empty and hungry. After reading the Bible, we are fed and satisfied, even though our understanding is limited.
　The benefit that we receive from reading the Bible is not utterly dependent upon our understanding, because the Bible, as the expression of God, is different from all other books. The usefulness of an ordinary book is utterly dependent upon our ability to understand what we have read. If we do not understand what we are reading, we will gain nothing. However, the Bible is not an ordinary book. Even when we do not fully understand what we are reading, we have a sense of satisfaction and nourishment when we open to the Lord in the Word. At such a time we have a deep sensation that we have touched something spiritual that goes beyond our mental apprehension. This is because we have touched God Himself.
　
Being Unable to Remember the Content of the Bible Not Being a Problem
　The principle is the same concerning not being able to remember what we have read in the Bible. We often do not remember what we ate several days ago, but this does not change the fact that we ate. This is often our experience in reading God’s Word. Although we may forget what we have read, we must admit that we contacted God in our reading of the Bible.
　This can be compared to a person being in the sunlight. Although he is under the shining of the sun for only five or ten minutes, the effect of the sunlight remains with him even when he is no longer outside. This can also be compared to taking a bath. When a person completes a bath, he dries off the bath water. Although he is no longer wet, the dirt on his body has been washed away. It is the same with reading the Bible. Although we may not understand much and may remember even less, we receive the shining of God’s face and the washing of the water in the word when we read the Bible (Eph. 5:26). As a result, we are enlightened and refreshed. It is sufficient to read the Bible in this way.
　It is not necessary that we fully understand or remember what we have read in the Bible. It is more important that we contact God’s Word, that is, the expression of God, which is also God expressed. Whenever we read the Bible, we must have the concept that we are not studying it with our mind but contacting God Himself with our heart and spirit. When we read the Bible and contact God in this way, we will be satisfied. If this is our situation, being unable to remember what we have read will not be a problem.
　
Avoiding Curiosity and Inquisitiveness When Reading the Bible
　When we read the Bible, we must guard against being distracted by our curiosity and inquisitiveness. In reading the Bible, many Christians are distracted by their curiosity and inquisitiveness. For example, the first verse in the New Testament says, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). These words immediately cause us to want to know more about David and Abraham, and the following verses, which contain a whole series of fathers begetting sons, raise more questions in our mind. Since we do not understand what we have read, we can spend much time looking for answers in reference books. Even after much research, however, we still have not gained anything. This is an example of being distracted by curiosity and inquisitiveness when reading the Bible.
　When we read the Bible, we should not be too inquisitive. We should always bear in mind that the Bible is the expression of God. Hence, when we read the Bible, our goal should be to contact God. It is good if we understand what we are reading, but if we come across something that we do not understand, we should not strain for an understanding. If we read chapter 1 of Matthew in this way, without being bothered by our inability to understand and without being distracted by a desire to merely seek knowledge, we will have a sense of enlightenment and freshness when we finish reading the chapter. It will be as if we are under the shining of the sun and the washing of water. First and foremost, we need to remember that we should read the Bible to contact God.
　The Bible is the Word of God, the expression of God. God expresses Himself in order that He may enter into us to be our life. God is so mysterious that without the Word, it would be very difficult to contact Him. Thankfully, He is the Word. When we touch and contact the Word, we can touch and contact God. Therefore, in order for us to contact God and enjoy Him as life, we must read the Bible. However, when we read the Bible, we must be careful not to fall into the temptation of merely studying with our mind. We must have the firm realization that the Bible is the expression of God. Therefore, we need to use our heart and spirit to contact the words in the Bible. If we do this, we will be inwardly satisfied, restful, and watered.
　
THE SPIRIT OF GOD BEING THE ENTERING IN OF GOD
　God is not only the Word and in His words, but He is also the Spirit and in the Spirit. God is in His words for His expression, and God is in the Spirit for His entering into us. The Word is God coming forth to us, God being expressed, and the Spirit is God entering into us. Hence, the Word is God’s coming forth, whereas the Spirit is God’s entering in. As the Word, God presents Himself to us; as the Spirit, God enters into us.
　
The Word Being outside of Us and the Spirit Being within Us
　In actuality, the Word is the Spirit, and the Spirit is the Word. Outside of us, the Spirit is embodied in the Word; inside of us, the Word is realized as the Spirit. Whenever we receive the words of the Bible into our being, these words become spirit and life and are realized as the Spirit. Although the words in 2 Corinthians 6:14 seemingly speak only of not being dissimilarly yoked with unbelievers, we can sense the operation of the Spirit in us when we read this verse. As soon as these words enter into us, we realize them as the Spirit.
　When the words of the Bible become the Spirit in us and operate in us, they are life to us. Even though the Bible is a book of life, this is not readily apparent because outwardly the Bible appears to be just a book. The words in the Bible must be read and received into us so that the words in the Bible can become life to us through the operating Spirit. The Lord said, “The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). This shows that His words are life only when they are spirit to us. If the Bible is merely words to us, it will not be life to us. The words in the Bible must become the Spirit to us, and then they also will be life. The words in the Bible become the Spirit when they enter into us. Strictly speaking, if the Bible is only a book in our hands, its words will not be life to us but rather letter, because they are only in our mind. The words in the Bible will become the Spirit to us when we read the Bible with our spirit and allow the words in the Bible to touch our spirit and enter into us.
　
Experiencing God as the Word and as the Spirit
　If we desire to know God and experience Him as our life, we must experience Him as both the Word and the Spirit, because today He is in His words and also in the Spirit. Touching God and contacting God is not something that should be abstract to us. Rather, it is something that can be genuine and real if we calm down our outer man, rein in our mind, and exercise our spirit to read and contact the Lord in the Word. Then His Word will become the Spirit operating in us. In this way we will contact God in our spirit.
　This is a marvelous and mysterious matter. The Triune God is in His words and in the Spirit, and the Spirit and the Word are connected. If we had only the Spirit, God would be beyond our comprehension, but because His Word is connected to the Spirit, God can become very real to us. Contacting God is not a matter of religious practice. Religious regulations can only tell people what to do, but God’s salvation involves His entrance into us to be our life.
　
God Entering into Us to Be Our Life through the Word and the Spirit
　God can be our life because, as the Word, He became flesh, and then through death and resurrection the Word, who became flesh, became the life-giving Spirit. As the Spirit, God enters into all those who believe into Christ. Incarnation brought God into man; death and resurrection brought man into God. In this way God accomplished a mingling and union of God and man and man and God so that He could enter into man as the Spirit to be man’s life. The Spirit contains many elements, including divinity, humanity, death, resurrection, the mingling of humanity and divinity, and the heavenly element. These elements are in the Spirit.
　However, even though God is the Spirit with all these elements, He can still be abstract to us. Therefore, sympathizing with our weakness and according to the extent of our capacity to understand, He also gave us the Bible. This Bible contains God’s words, God’s breathing. God is Spirit, but the Spirit has been connected with the words in the Bible. Hence, we can say that the words in the Bible are the embodiment of the Spirit. The life in the Word is the Spirit, and the embodiment of the Spirit is the Word. Thank God that He comes to us not only as the Spirit but also in His Word. He not only gives us the Spirit but also His Word. This is great grace to us! When we contact His Word, the Spirit enters into us.
　When our condition is normal, every time we read the Bible, we will contact His words outwardly but receive the Spirit inwardly. Whenever we receive His Word, we also receive the Spirit. The result of receiving God as the Spirit is to receive life. If we contact God, experience God, and receive God as Spirit through the Word, we will experience Him as our life.
　I hope that we will learn to use the Bible outside of us and to contact the Spirit within us. We are truly rich! We have the Spirit in us, and we also have the Bible in our hand. The riches in these two items are inexhaustible! For two thousand years no one has exhausted these riches; the more a person touches them, the richer they become. I have been touching them for thirty-five years, and I can testify that the more I touch them, the richer they become. The riches that we have received cannot be exhausted in our experience. We do not possess silver and gold (Acts 3:6), but we have something much more valuable; we have the Word and the Spirit.
　
Doing All Things according to the Word and the Spirit
　Now that we have the Word and the Spirit, we should conduct ourselves in our daily living according to the Word and the Spirit. We should not go against either the Word or the Spirit. Christ has released us and set us free, but we should not go beyond the Word and the Spirit. Whenever we are not in agreement with either the Word or the Spirit, we should always allow the Word and the Spirit to win. We must let ourselves be defeated. We should be submissive and allow the Word and the Spirit to touch us. We must learn to continually match the Word and the Spirit in our being. It is better to be defeated and suffer a loss, even if it involves sorrow, than to offend the Word or the Spirit. If this is our attitude, we will be able to touch the Lord’s words and receive the Spirit every day, and we will have a practical experience of God as life.
 
　　提后三章十六至十七节说，“圣经都是神的呼出，对于教训、督责、改正、在义上的教导，都是有益的，叫属神的人得以完备，为着各样的善工，装备齐全。”这里说到圣经，对于教训、教导，并为着各样的善工都是有益的。而约壹二章二十七节说，“你们从祂所领受的膏油涂抹，住在你们里面，并不需要人教导你们，乃有祂的膏油涂抹，在凡事上教导你们；这膏油涂抹是真实地，不是虚谎的，你们要按这膏油涂抹所教导你们的，住在祂里面。”这里提到膏油涂抹时，也说到教导的问题，并且是在凡事上教导。我们把这两处圣经对比一下，就不难看见，圣经和膏油涂抹所作的事非常相同。
 
　Second Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” All Scripture, the Bible, is profitable for teaching, instruction, and equipping us for every good work. First John 2:27 says, “As for you, the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone teach you; but as His anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, abide in Him.” Here the matter of teaching is associated with the anointing, the moving of the Spirit in us. When we contrast these two portions of the Bible, it is easy to see that the Scriptures and the anointing are related to each other.
　　神一面是话，在话里头；神另一面也是灵，在灵里头（约一1，四24）。光说到神，我们很难捉摸得到。但当神是话的时候，我们就能摸着神，因为话是将神发表出来的。如果神不是话，或者说神没有话，我们就没有办法摸着神。这不但在看不见的神是如此，在我们这些看得见的人也不例外。若是我站在讲台上，一直不开口，站了一个半钟头，台下的人个个都必纳闷，要说这是怎么一回事？这个人里头有什么故事？这个人是个怎样的人？但如果我一直在讲台上说话，台下的人就一点也不纳闷，他们就能在我的话里认识我。我的话说得越多，他们就越认识我，因为我这个人在话里面出来了。

　　话是一个人的发表。除非人不说话，只要人一开口，他里头一切的故事就无法隐藏，都要显露出来。大家都知道彼得否认主的事。当主耶稣被拿的时候，彼得也跟着进了大祭司的院子，和那些差役一同坐着烤火。有一个使女看见他，就说，“你也是同那加利利人耶稣一起的。”彼得就极力否认说，“我不知道你说的是什么。”（太二六69~70）但是他越否认，他加利利的口音越把他露出来。所以，人的话总是人的发表。

　　圣经是神的话，也是这样。神是借着祂的话，把祂自己发表出来，说明出来。因此提后三章说，“圣经都是神的呼出。”（16）神是把什么呼出来？简单的说，神是把祂自己呼出来。圣经一切的话，无论是说到神的旨意、神的心意、神的计划、还是神的作为，都是把神自己发表出来，说明出来，叫我们得以认识祂，得着祂。所以我们也可以说，圣经就是发表出来的神。

　　圣经既是这样一本奇妙的书，我们切不可把它当作一本讲学问的书，也不可把它看作一本讲教训的书，或是一本普通宗教的经典；圣经远超过这些。虽然圣经里面有一些地方也有教训，论到我们该怎样行事为人，但是圣经的本质乃是神的发表，是发表出来的神。所以当你每一次读圣经的时候，里头都该有个很重的感觉：“这是神自己的发表，我现在乃是接触我所敬拜的神。我不仅是来接触神的话语，我更是来接触这一位发表出来的神。”你若有这样的观念，当你来读圣经的时候，无论读那一章、那一节，你都会遇着神，都会感觉神在向你显现。
 
　God is the Word, and He is in the Word (John 1:1). God is also the Spirit, and He is in the Spirit (4:24). If God were not the Word, it would be very difficult for us to contact or touch Him. However, as the Word, God is tangible and touchable because the Word is God expressed. If God were not the Word or if He did not speak, we would not be able to touch Him. This truth applies not only to the invisible God but even to visible men. If I stood on the podium but remained silent for an hour and a half, the saints would be puzzled and ask, “What is the matter? What is Brother Lee thinking?” However, when I speak, the saints know what I am thinking. The more I speak, the more they know me, because I am expressed through my words.

　Words are the expression of a person. If a person does not speak, everything within him remains hidden, but as soon as he opens his mouth, everything begins to be revealed. Consider the story of Peter’s denial of the Lord. When the Lord Jesus was arrested, Peter followed Him until he was in the courtyard of the high priest. While he was sitting with the attendants and warming himself in the light of the fire (Mark 14:54), a servant girl saw him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” (Matt. 26:69-70). However, the more he denied it, the more he was exposed by his Galilean accent (v. 73). This shows that a person’s words are the expression of the person.

　In the same way, the Scriptures are God’s words. God expresses Himself and explains Himself through His words. Consequently, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed.” When God breathes out, He breathes out Himself. All the words in the Bible, whether they relate to God’s purpose, plan, or acts, express and explain God so that we may know Him and gain Him. Hence, we can say that the Scriptures are God expressed.

　Since the Bible is such a wonderful book, we should never regard it as an academic book or as a book of religious teachings. The Bible surpasses every book. Although there are portions in the Bible that contain teachings which are seemingly related to conduct, the essence of the Bible is the expression of God, that is, God expressed. Every time we read the Bible, we should have a strong sense that the Bible is the expression of God Himself. We should realize that we are contacting the God who has been expressed. If this is our concept when we read the Bible, we will meet God and sense that God is appearing to us, no matter what chapter or verse we are reading.
　　常有弟兄姊妹对我说，“李弟兄，我们读经有两个难处，一个难处是读不懂，还有一个难处是读过就忘，一点记不住。因为有这两个难处，所以我们就不愿读经了。”我就告诉他们，这些并不算是难处。比方，有人请你去吃饭，有的时候吃西餐，有的时候吃东洋料理。你吃了好多菜，许多时候也不一定懂得，那是什么菜。虽然不懂得，却也能吃得很饱。我们读圣经也是如此。只要能读得饱足，懂不懂是很次要的事。

　　比方，当你读到历代志、但以理书、或启示录的时候，许多地方都是很难懂得。就如但以理书里，尼布甲尼撒所梦见的异象，有一个大人像，头是精金的，胸膛和膀臂是银的，肚腹和腰是铜的，腿是铁的，脚是半铁半泥的（二31~33），这到底是什么意思？又如启示录里面有七印、七号和七碗（启五1~2，八6，十六1），这些东西也常常是越读越糊涂。但是请你想想看，你这样读过七印、七号、七碗，虽然读不出来什么意思，但是当你安静在主面前的时候，很希奇的，你里头饱足了。虽然你读了一点也不明白，但是这和不读大不相同。你若不读经，里头定规是空的、饿的。你若读了圣经，虽然没有多少领会，甚至一句都不懂，但是莫名其妙的，里头却是饱足的。

　　所以一个人读经，并不在于懂得还是不懂得。因为圣经是神的发表，和任何的书不同。普通的书读懂了才有用，读不懂就一无所得。圣经却不是这样，虽然许多时候你读不懂，但是当你读的时候，你里头觉得饱足。你觉得里头碰着了一个属灵的东西，是你的头脑所不能解释的。简单说，你所碰着的就是神自己。
 
　Some brothers and sisters often say, “Brother Lee, when I read the Bible, I cannot understand what I am reading, and I cannot remember what I have read. Consequently, I do not have much desire to read the Bible.” When I hear this, I tell them that these are not problems at all, and I say, “When you are invited to a meal, sometimes you are served Western food, and sometimes you are served Asian food. Although you do not always know what you are eating, you are still satisfied. As long as we are nourished and satisfied in our reading of the Bible, understanding what we have read is a secondary matter.

　When we read 1 and 2 Chronicles, Daniel, or Revelation, there are many portions that are very difficult to understand. The book of Daniel, for example, records King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a great human image with a head of gold, a breast and arms of silver, an abdomen and thighs of bronze, legs of iron, and feet partly of iron and partly of clay (2:31-33). The meaning of this dream is not easy to understand. In the book of Revelation there are seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls (5:1-2; 8:6; 16:1), all of which are confusing to us. Nevertheless, after reading about Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and about the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls, we feel as if we have been fed and satisfied, even though our understanding is limited. Even though we do not understand everything that we read, we do not have a feeling of being empty and hungry. After reading the Bible, we are fed and satisfied, even though our understanding is limited.

　The benefit that we receive from reading the Bible is not utterly dependent upon our understanding, because the Bible, as the expression of God, is different from all other books. The usefulness of an ordinary book is utterly dependent upon our ability to understand what we have read. If we do not understand what we are reading, we will gain nothing. However, the Bible is not an ordinary book. Even when we do not fully understand what we are reading, we have a sense of satisfaction and nourishment when we open to the Lord in the Word. At such a time we have a deep sensation that we have touched something spiritual that goes beyond our mental apprehension. This is because we have touched God Himself.
　　读经记不住地问题，还是同样的原则。我们自己也常忘记昨天吃了什么东西。但是无论你记得也好，不记得也好，总归你吃了东西。我们读神的话也是如此，好多时候，虽然读过又忘记了，但是我们不能不承认，我们借着读经，的确接触了神，碰着了神。

　　这就像有人作日光浴，每天在太阳底下晒五分钟，或者十分钟。过后虽然不晒了，好像日光走掉了，但是日光浴的果效却留在身上。这又像人洗澡一样，没有一个人洗过澡，满身还带着水。人一洗过澡，身上的水就会干了。但是人这样洗过澡，总是把身上许多脏东西洗掉了。读圣经也是这样。虽然你读过之后，也许懂得不多，记住的更少，但总归你是在神的面光中经过了一次，也是在生命的活水里沐浴了一次，你里面又新鲜、明亮了。你有这样的读经，就很够了。

　　所以要记得，读圣经并不在于明白，也不在于记得，完全在于和神的话，就是神的发表，也就是发表出来的神，接触一下。你每一次读圣经的时候，必须有这一个观念，不是用头脑来研究，乃是用心和灵来接触神自己。当你这样读圣经，接触神自己时，你就得着了满足。这时，你即使记不住，也不是太大的难处。
 
　The principle is the same concerning not being able to remember what we have read in the Bible. We often do not remember what we ate several days ago, but this does not change the fact that we ate. This is often our experience in reading God’s Word. Although we may forget what we have read, we must admit that we contacted God in our reading of the Bible.

　This can be compared to a person being in the sunlight. Although he is under the shining of the sun for only five or ten minutes, the effect of the sunlight remains with him even when he is no longer outside. This can also be compared to taking a bath. When a person completes a bath, he dries off the bath water. Although he is no longer wet, the dirt on his body has been washed away. It is the same with reading the Bible. Although we may not understand much and may remember even less, we receive the shining of God’s face and the washing of the water in the word when we read the Bible (Eph. 5:26). As a result, we are enlightened and refreshed. It is sufficient to read the Bible in this way.

　It is not necessary that we fully understand or remember what we have read in the Bible. It is more important that we contact God’s Word, that is, the expression of God, which is also God expressed. Whenever we read the Bible, we must have the concept that we are not studying it with our mind but contacting God Himself with our heart and spirit. When we read the Bible and contact God in this way, we will be satisfied. If this is our situation, being unable to remember what we have read will not be a problem.
　　当我们读圣经的时候，必须提防好奇求知的心。许多人在读圣经的事上，受到好奇求知的打扰。比方，你翻开新约来读，一开头就是马太一章一节：“耶稣基督，大卫的子孙，亚伯拉罕子孙的家谱。”你头脑里马上有一个问题，大卫是谁？亚伯拉罕是谁？你接着读下去，底下又说亚伯拉罕生以撒，以撒生雅各（2）。一连串的谁生谁，又把你搞得一塌糊涂。虽然你每一个字都认识，意义却读不懂。你就是查字典，找参考书，还是查不出一个究竟。结果你忙了半天，还是一无所得。这就是读经受了好奇求知的搅扰。

　　因此，读圣经千万不要太用头脑，不可以太求知。要记得，这本圣经乃是神的发表。所以你来读经，目的也应当是来接触神。你读的时候能懂得自然很好，若是碰到不能懂得的，你让它去就是了，千万不要勉强去求明白。你若这样来读马太一章，不受不明白的搅扰，也不受要寻求明白的搅扰。当你读完这一章，你会发现里头有了一点饱足，有了一点新鲜，就好像经过一次日光浴，或者洗了一个澡一样。请记得，这个就是接触神的读经。

　　圣经是神的话，是神的发表。而神发表祂自己的目的，乃是要进到我们里头来作生命。神太奥秘了，如果神不是话，我们就无法接触祂。但感谢神，祂是话，我们摸着这个话，就是摸着神；接触这个话，就是接触神。所以我们要接触神，享受祂作生命，就必须读圣经。但是要当心，读的时候不要受引诱，以致太用头脑来研究。你必须认定圣经是神的发表，而用心和灵来接触它。如果是这样，你读圣经的结果，必是里面得着滋润和饱足，感觉甘甜和安息。
 
　When we read the Bible, we must guard against being distracted by our curiosity and inquisitiveness. In reading the Bible, many Christians are distracted by their curiosity and inquisitiveness. For example, the first verse in the New Testament says, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1). These words immediately cause us to want to know more about David and Abraham, and the following verses, which contain a whole series of fathers begetting sons, raise more questions in our mind. Since we do not understand what we have read, we can spend much time looking for answers in reference books. Even after much research, however, we still have not gained anything. This is an example of being distracted by curiosity and inquisitiveness when reading the Bible.

　When we read the Bible, we should not be too inquisitive. We should always bear in mind that the Bible is the expression of God. Hence, when we read the Bible, our goal should be to contact God. It is good if we understand what we are reading, but if we come across something that we do not understand, we should not strain for an understanding. If we read chapter 1 of Matthew in this way, without being bothered by our inability to understand and without being distracted by a desire to merely seek knowledge, we will have a sense of enlightenment and freshness when we finish reading the chapter. It will be as if we are under the shining of the sun and the washing of water. First and foremost, we need to remember that we should read the Bible to contact God.

　The Bible is the Word of God, the expression of God. God expresses Himself in order that He may enter into us to be our life. God is so mysterious that without the Word, it would be very difficult to contact Him. Thankfully, He is the Word. When we touch and contact the Word, we can touch and contact God. Therefore, in order for us to contact God and enjoy Him as life, we must read the Bible. However, when we read the Bible, we must be careful not to fall into the temptation of merely studying with our mind. We must have the firm realization that the Bible is the expression of God. Therefore, we need to use our heart and spirit to contact the words in the Bible. If we do this, we will be inwardly satisfied, restful, and watered.
　　另一面，神不只在祂的话里面，也在祂的灵里面。神在话里面，是神把祂自己发表出来；神在灵里面，是神进到我们里面。神从祂里面出来是话，神进到我们里面是灵。所以话是神的出来，灵是神的进入。神是话乃是神的出来，神是灵乃是神的进入。神是话是祂把自己摆在我们跟前，神是灵是祂要进到我们里面。
 
　God is not only the Word and in His words, but He is also the Spirit and in the Spirit. God is in His words for His expression, and God is in the Spirit for His entering into us. The Word is God coming forth to us, God being expressed, and the Spirit is God entering into us. Hence, the Word is God’s coming forth, whereas the Spirit is God’s entering in. As the Word, God presents Himself to us; as the Spirit, God enters into us.
　　虽然话和灵有这些讲究，但实在说，话就是灵，灵也就是话。灵在我们外面就是话，话进到我们里面就是灵。什么时候你把圣经的话读到里面，这时候的话就是灵。

　　比方，林后六章有一句话说，“你们跟不信的，不要不配地同负一轭。”（14）这虽是在外面的话，但当你读的时候，你觉得里头有一个运行，叫你感觉不能再和不信的人交朋友了。这就是话进到你的里头，在你里头有一个运行，这一个就是灵的运行。所以话一进到里面，就变作灵。

　　请大家记得，乃是当话这样在人里面变作灵，并且运行在人里面的时候，话才是生命。虽然圣经是一本生命的书，但是认真说，摆在外面的圣经，并不是生命。圣经必须读到里面，圣经的话成了运行的灵，才是生命。主说，“我对你们所说的话，就是灵，就是生命。”（约六63）这告诉我们，只有当话是灵的时候，才是生命。圣经若单纯是话，还不是生命。话必须变作灵，才是生命。什么叫作话变作灵？就是话进到你里面了。所以认真说，在你手里的圣经还不是生命。不仅如此，你就是凭头脑来读圣经，圣经也不是生命，还不过是一些字句。乃是当你凭着灵来读圣经，让这本书的话，碰着你的灵而进到你的里面，这时候，话才是灵，才是生命。
 
　In actuality, the Word is the Spirit, and the Spirit is the Word. Outside of us, the Spirit is embodied in the Word; inside of us, the Word is realized as the Spirit. Whenever we receive the words of the Bible into our being, these words become spirit and life and are realized as the Spirit. Although the words in 2 Corinthians 6:14 seemingly speak only of not being dissimilarly yoked with unbelievers, we can sense the operation of the Spirit in us when we read this verse. As soon as these words enter into us, we realize them as the Spirit.

　When the words of the Bible become the Spirit in us and operate in us, they are life to us. Even though the Bible is a book of life, this is not readily apparent because outwardly the Bible appears to be just a book. The words in the Bible must be read and received into us so that the words in the Bible can become life to us through the operating Spirit. The Lord said, “The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). This shows that His words are life only when they are spirit to us. If the Bible is merely words to us, it will not be life to us. The words in the Bible must become the Spirit to us, and then they also will be life. The words in the Bible become the Spirit when they enter into us. Strictly speaking, if the Bible is only a book in our hands, its words will not be life to us but rather letter, because they are only in our mind. The words in the Bible will become the Spirit to us when we read the Bible with our spirit and allow the words in the Bible to touch our spirit and enter into us.
　　因此你若要认识神，经历神作生命，你就必须经历神是话，也经历神是灵。因为神今天是在祂的话里面，也在祂的灵里面。今天我们来摸神，接触神，不但不是渺茫的，倒是非常具体的，并且是有步骤的。我们要把外面的人静下来，管住我们的头脑，运用我们的灵，来读主的话，接触主的话，这些话就要变作灵，在我们里面运行。这样，我们的灵就接触了神。

　　这实在是一件又奇妙、又奥秘的事。三而一的神，就在祂的话和祂的灵里面，并且祂的灵和祂的话是相通的，也是相连的。若是光有灵，人就无法领会，也无法揣摩。如今神把祂的灵摆在祂的话里面，就非常具体了。

　　盼望弟兄姊妹看见，这些不是宗教的事，这些完全是接触神作生命的事。宗教的规条是告诉人：你要作这个，你要作那个；或者说你不要作这个，不要作那个。而神的救恩乃是告诉我们，神在宇宙中所愿意作的一件事，就是要进到人里面作生命。
 
　If we desire to know God and experience Him as our life, we must experience Him as both the Word and the Spirit, because today He is in His words and also in the Spirit. Touching God and contacting God is not something that should be abstract to us. Rather, it is something that can be genuine and real if we calm down our outer man, rein in our mind, and exercise our spirit to read and contact the Lord in the Word. Then His Word will become the Spirit operating in us. In this way we will contact God in our spirit.

　This is a marvelous and mysterious matter. The Triune God is in His words and in the Spirit, and the Spirit and the Word are connected. If we had only the Spirit, God would be beyond our comprehension, but because His Word is connected to the Spirit, God can become very real to us. Contacting God is not a matter of religious practice. Religious regulations can only tell people what to do, but God’s salvation involves His entrance into us to be our life.
　　神怎样来作生命呢？祂是话，成为肉体，经过死而复活，成为那灵，那灵又进到信祂的人里面。话成肉体是把神带到人里面，死而复活是把人带到神里面。祂这样完成了神和人、人和神联结的调和，就叫神能作为那灵进到人里面，来作人的生命。这一位灵里面所包含的成分相当多，有神的成分，也有人的成分；有死的成分，也有复活的成分；有神和人相调的成分，还有属天的成分；这些成分都在这位灵里，而这位灵就是神自己。

　　但对于我们来说，神是灵也许还不够具体。所以神体谅我们的软弱，就照着我们所能领会的，又给了我们圣经。这一本圣经是神的话，就是神的呼出。神是灵，到了有一天，灵化身在话的里面，所以话就是灵的具体表现。话里面的生命就是灵，灵的具体表现就是话。感谢神，祂不只作为灵临到我们，祂也在话里临到我们。祂不只把灵给我们，祂也把话给我们。这是莫大的恩典！我们来接触祂的话，祂的灵就进到我们里面。

　　你的光景若是正常的，当你每一次来读圣经的时候，外面所接触的虽然是话，里头所得着的乃是灵。什么时候你一得着话，你就得着灵，也就得着神。而得着神的结果，就是生命。你若天天这样来接触神，经历神，接受祂的话，而得着祂的灵，你就经历祂作生命。

　　所以，盼望你们会对待在你们手中的这一本圣经，也会对待在你们里面的圣灵。我们实在是富有！我们里面有圣灵，我们手中有圣经。这两者的丰富是取之不尽，用之不竭的！两千年来，从未有人用尽它，都是越支取越丰富。我取用已经三十五年了，我能作一点见证，实在是越用越丰富。我们所得着的丰富，是在时间里所无法经历得完的。但愿我们会说，金银我都没有，但我有圣经，也有圣灵。
 
　God can be our life because, as the Word, He became flesh, and then through death and resurrection the Word, who became flesh, became the life-giving Spirit. As the Spirit, God enters into all those who believe into Christ. Incarnation brought God into man; death and resurrection brought man into God. In this way God accomplished a mingling and union of God and man and man and God so that He could enter into man as the Spirit to be man’s life. The Spirit contains many elements, including divinity, humanity, death, resurrection, the mingling of humanity and divinity, and the heavenly element. These elements are in the Spirit.

　However, even though God is the Spirit with all these elements, He can still be abstract to us. Therefore, sympathizing with our weakness and according to the extent of our capacity to understand, He also gave us the Bible. This Bible contains God’s words, God’s breathing. God is Spirit, but the Spirit has been connected with the words in the Bible. Hence, we can say that the words in the Bible are the embodiment of the Spirit. The life in the Word is the Spirit, and the embodiment of the Spirit is the Word. Thank God that He comes to us not only as the Spirit but also in His Word. He not only gives us the Spirit but also His Word. This is great grace to us! When we contact His Word, the Spirit enters into us.

　When our condition is normal, every time we read the Bible, we will contact His words outwardly but receive the Spirit inwardly. Whenever we receive His Word, we also receive the Spirit. The result of receiving God as the Spirit is to receive life. If we contact God, experience God, and receive God as Spirit through the Word, we will experience Him as our life.

　I hope that we will learn to use the Bible outside of us and to contact the Spirit within us. We are truly rich! We have the Spirit in us, and we also have the Bible in our hand. The riches in these two items are inexhaustible! For two thousand years no one has exhausted these riches; the more a person touches them, the richer they become. I have been touching them for thirty-five years, and I can testify that the more I touch them, the richer they become. The riches that we have received cannot be exhausted in our experience. We do not possess silver and gold (Acts 3:6), but we have something much more valuable; we have the Word and the Spirit.
　　末了，请大家抓住一件事，你既有了圣经和圣灵，你就要在生活行事上合于圣经和圣灵，不要和这两者相抵触。基督释放了你，叫你得以自由，但永远不可越过圣经和圣灵。当你与圣经和圣灵冲突的时候，总要让圣经和圣灵得胜，自己失败。你应该服下来，接受圣经和圣灵所摸着你的。要一直学习，和这二者合得来。宁可自己失败，自己吃亏，甚至叫自己伤痛，也不得罪圣经和圣灵。你若肯这样，你就能天天碰着话，得着灵，而在圣灵里实际的经历神作生命。

　　一九五九年八月一日讲于香港青年特会

　　原刊于一九六〇年二月“话语职事”第一百零四期
 
　Now that we have the Word and the Spirit, we should conduct ourselves in our daily living according to the Word and the Spirit. We should not go against either the Word or the Spirit. Christ has released us and set us free, but we should not go beyond the Word and the Spirit. Whenever we are not in agreement with either the Word or the Spirit, we should always allow the Word and the Spirit to win. We must let ourselves be defeated. We should be submissive and allow the Word and the Spirit to touch us. We must learn to continually match the Word and the Spirit in our being. It is better to be defeated and suffer a loss, even if it involves sorrow, than to offend the Word or the Spirit. If this is our attitude, we will be able to touch the Lord’s words and receive the Spirit every day, and we will have a practical experience of God as life.

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