一 你要尽量避免世俗的喧哗（太 5 ： 1 ， 14 ： 23 ，约 6 ： 15 ）；因为谈论世俗的事情，即使具有诚恳的动机，也不能免掉不好的后果。因为我们很容易为世界的虚荣所玷污和迷惑。许多时候，当我们说过话之后，我们就后悔没有保持缄默而且恨不得未曾与人在一起。为什么我们那样地乐意彼此谈说，甚至到了我们的良心感到不安时，仍还不停止呢？（太 7 ： 1 ；罗 2 ： 1 ）。我们喜欢谈话的原因，是想从交谈之中彼此得些安慰，同时放松下思想得过于疲劳的脑子。所以我们最喜欢谈，也最喜欢想的，必定是我们爱好的事，或是我们认为厌恶的事。

二 但是可惜这些谈话都是徒劳无益的；因为外表的安慰常常是失掉上帝所赐的内心平安的原因。因此，我们应该儆醒祷告，否则便是虚掷（我们的）光阴。假若遇着合宜的说话机会，你只应说些关于造就人的话。习惯不良且又不追求在恩典中长进的人，常容易放纵自己作无意义的闲谈。但是若有一些同心合意的人聚集于上帝的面前，谈论属灵的事，那对于我们灵性的进步肯有极大推进的力量（徒 1 ： 14 ；罗 15 ： 5 -6 ）。

Bible Reference:

English Version:

Avoiding Idle Talk

SHUN the gossip of men as much as possible (Matthew 5:1; Matthew 14:23; John 6:15), for discussion of worldly affairs, even though sincere, is a great distraction inasmuch as we are quickly ensnared and captivated by vanity. Many a time I wish that I had held my peace and had not associated with men. Why, indeed, do we converse and gossip among ourselves when we so seldom part without a troubled conscience (Matthew 7:1; Romans 2:1)? We do so because we seek comfort from one another’s conversation and wish to ease the mind wearied by diverse thoughts. Hence, we talk and think quite fondly of things we like very much or of things we dislike intensely.

But, sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose; for this external pleasure effectively bars inward and divine consolation. Therefore we must watch and pray lest time pass idly. When the right and opportune moment comes for speaking, say something that will edify. Bad habits and indifference to spiritual progress do much to remove the guard from the tongue. Devout conversation on spiritual matters, on the contrary, is a great aid to spiritual progress, especially when persons of the same mind and spirit associate together in God (Acts 1:14; Romans 15:5-6).

Bible Reference:

Version 2 of the ESV API has been discontinued.

We apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the developers of this app and ask them to update to the latest API version.

Thank you for your patience.