金蘋果與銀網子的美麗境界(箴25章)

 一句話說得合宜、就如金蘋果在銀網子裏。智慧人的勸戒、在順從的人耳中、好像金耳環、和精金的妝飾。忠信的使者、叫差他的人心裏舒暢、就如在收割時、有冰雪的涼氣。(箴 25：11-13)

說話，真的很難。聖經箴言這裡開始，是希西家王時，命人整理所羅門智慧的言語，真的句句如金蘋果般美麗，但還得適時落在「順從的人耳中」，「好像金耳環、和精金的裝飾」，也就是被銀網子般順從的心，穩穩接住，這時金蘋果與銀網子的美麗境界，將油然而生！

今日台灣社會的氛圍，就是處處恣意放任傷害人、無知的話語四溢，讓聽見的人常常難過一整天。此時不妨關閉新聞、社群媒體，以安靜、恭敬的態度細讀聖經真理，只讓「好的」屬靈營養素進入我們的靈魂，隔絕「不好的」屬靈毒素，並藉著神的道，洗淨先前不小心進入我們靈命的有害毒素，使我們的靈與魂都得以滋潤而強健。

要用水藉着道、把教會洗淨、成為聖潔。(弗 5：26)

我們不但要讀聖經中，藉由神的智慧所說的一切合宜的話，自己也當成為世上的光，時時說出合宜的話。這樣的合宜的話，就是「智慧人的勸戒」。這些話，不見得都是溫柔的，必要時也是要嚴厲，甚至不那麼動聽。所以聽見的人可能會有不同的反應：心存感謝、虛心接受；或是以張狂的態度，拒絕接受。

合宜的話，在此就是「金蘋果」，除了有蘋果般的營養與美好滋味之外，還有精金的美麗。對於願意接受的人，他們的心就是「銀網子」。金蘋果若落在爛泥裡，就不美麗了，就好像箴言中常常提到的愚頑人、褻慢人，他們的心，就是腐臭發霉的爛泥，接不住金蘋果的美麗。

箴言這裡進一步說明金蘋果的製造過程：

第一個就是「合宜的話」，也就是說話時，多一分思考，考量聽話的人的處境與感受，還有對於聽話人而言，是否有造就性。例如：不合情境的話，像是對傷心的人唱歌、就如冷天脫衣服、又如鹼上倒醋(箴 25：20)，或是空洞不切實際的話，也就是空誇贈送禮物的、好像無雨的風雲(箴 25：14)、另外就是自誇的話，因為喫蜜過多是不好的．考究自己的榮耀、也是可厭的(箴 25：27)。

第二個過程，就是「智慧人的勸戒」，也就是依據聖經真理，按時分糧，依據需要說出造就人的話，而不是只是做那些沒營養、沒造就的閒聊。如：恆常忍耐、可以勸動君王．柔和的舌頭、能折斷骨頭(箴 25：15)。也就是對於我們的上司、教會的牧者，針對錯誤的地方盡本分勸戒，當然態度要柔和，但是對於真理要堅持。因為義人在惡人面前退縮、好像趟渾之泉，弄濁之井(箴 25：26)。也就是該說的不說，反而趨炎附勢，贊同違背真理的事，這時神也必因我們的職分追討我們的罪。

第三個過程，就是「忠信的使者」，也就是傳達真理時，不加油添醋、不憑個人私意，而是誠誠實實地說出來，是就說是、不是就說不是。例如：有好消息從遠方來、就如拿涼水給口渴的人喝(箴 25：25)。也就是適時說出鼓勵、造就人的話，就好像給苦難中的人真正有用的幫助，這時有如將涼水給口渴的人喝一樣，使人得以振作起來。如此甚至可以叫差他的人心裏舒暢、就如在收割時、有冰雪的涼氣，得神喜悅。

當然，這樣的金蘋果製造出來了，也要落在對的地方，要真的落在銀網子裡，也就是那些「順從的人耳中」。千萬不要掉錯地方，落在爛泥裡。若發現眼前的人是爛泥，也可選擇不說，以免他恨你。

所以我奔跑、不像無定向的．我鬥拳、不像打空氣的。(林前 9：26)

By Isaiah Kao

The Beautiful State of Apples of Gold and Settings of Silver (Proverbs 25)

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver, Is a word spoken at the proper time. Like an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold, Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest Is a faithful messenger to those who send him, For he refreshes the soul of his masters.” (Proverbs 25:11-13 NASB2020)

Speaking is truly difficult. The Book of Proverbs begins here with Solomon’s wise words compiled by King Hezekiah. Each sentence is indeed as beautiful as apples of gold, but it must fall at the right time "in the ears of the obedient," “Like an earring of gold and a jewelry piece of fine gold” that is, be firmly received by a heart of obedience just like in settings. Only then will the beautiful state of apples of gold in settings of silver arise!

The atmosphere in Taiwanese society today is one of unrestrained, ignorant and hurtful words, often leaving those who hear them feeling distressed all day. At such times, it's wise to shut down the news and social media, and instead, with a quiet and reverent attitude, carefully read the truth of the Bible, allowing only "good" spiritual nourishment to enter our souls, while isolating ourselves from "bad" spiritual toxins. Through God's word, we can cleanse ourselves of the harmful toxins that have previously entered our spiritual lives, nourishing and strengthening both our spirit and soul.

“so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,” (Ephesians 5:26 NASB2020)

We should not only read all the proper words spoken in the Bible through God's wisdom, but we ourselves should also be a light in the world, speaking words at the proper time. Such proper words are "the rebuke of the wise." These words are not always gentle; sometimes they must be stern, even unpleasant to hear. Therefore, those who hear them may react differently: with gratitude and humbly accepting them; or with arrogance and refusal to accept them.

In this context, words spoken at the proper time are like "apples of gold," possessing not only the nutritional value and delicious taste of an apple but also the beauty of pure gold. For those willing to receive them, their hearts are like "settings of silver." Apples of gold, however, are not beautiful when they fall into mud, just like the fools and scoffers often mentioned in Proverbs; their hearts are like putrid, moldy mud, unable to receive the beauty of the golden apple.

Proverbs further explains the process of creating golden apples:

The first is "words spoken at a proper time”, meaning that when speaking, one should think more deeply, considering the listener's situation and feelings, and whether the words will be edifying for the listener. For example, words that does not fit the context “Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a troubled heart.” （Proverbs 25:20 NASB2020), or words that are unrealistic and meaningless “Like clouds and wind without rain Is a person who boasts of his gifts falsely.” （Proverbs 25:14 NASB2020）or boastful words, “It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.” (Proverbs 25:27 NASB2020)

The second process is "a wise person’s rebuke," which means speaking edifying words according to biblical truth, providing timely guidance, and engaging in edifying conversation rather than idle chatter that offers no real benefit. For example, "Through patience a ruler may be persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks bone.” (Proverbs 25:15 NASB2020) This means fulfilling our duty to admonish our superiors and church pastors regarding their mistakes, being gentle in our approach but firm in upholding the truth. “Like a trampled spring and a polluted well, So is a righteous person who gives way before the wicked.” (Proverbs 25:26 NASB2020)

If we fail to speak out when we should, instead currying favor and agreeing with things that contradict the truth, God will surely punish us for our sins according to your stewardship. 

The third process is "the faithful messenger," which means conveying the truth without embellishment or personal bias, speaking honestly and truthfully, saying yes if it is yes and no if it is no. For example, “Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.”(Proverbs 25:25 NASB2020) In other words, speaking words of encouragement and edification at the right time is like giving truly helpful assistance to someone in distress. It's like giving cool water to a thirsty person, lifting them up. This will bring comfort to the one who sent them, like the cold of snow in the time of harvest, pleasing God.

Of course, even if such golden apples are produced, they must fall in the right place, in the settings of silver, that is, "in the ears of the obedient." They must not fall in the wrong place, into the mud. If you find the person before you to be mud, you can choose not to speak, lest they hate you.

“Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air;” (1 Corinthians 9:26 NASB2020)