We have spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12). Our soul includes our intellect.
 
Many believers focus on their intellect (Acts 17:21), but if our brain power alone is sufficient to know God, Pharisees with deep knowledge of the Bible would have accepted Christ (John 5:39). The intelligent can be misled by their knowledge and grow unwilling to seek God with humility.
 
Intellect is important. For example, we need to love God with all our soul as well (Matthew 22:37), but our intellect by itself cannot transform us into the worshippers God seeks.
 
Christ taught us how God seeks those who worship Him in the spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Let’s try to understand what this means.
 
We worship God in the spirit because God is Spirit. And we need the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of truth) in us to guide and change us so we can know and worship Him (John 4:24).
 
The Holy Spirit reveals to us our sins. Like Job, when we see our iniquities and inadequacies, we despise ourselves, repent, fall on our knees, and worship God (Job 42:6, 1 Corinthians 14:24-25).
 
We should let the Holy Spirit flow from us like rivers of living water, glorifying the Heavenly Father (John 14:15-17, 7:38-39).
 
Worshipping God in truth implies we should have honesty and integrity in our worship. The person who prays to God should be the same person during the rest of the day. Christians should follow God in their everyday life. This is more important and difficult than public ministry.
 
So, do not be controlled by selfish desires or become jealous of one another and form cliques to fight with one another (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Do not let transient worldly things take us over (Job 1:20-21).
 
Learn from Abraham. He worshipped God such that he was willing to offer to God that which was most precious to him—his son Isaac. He desired nothing more than God (Genesis 22).
 
In the garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed. He admitted His preference but still followed His Father’s will, not His (John 6:38, Matthew 26:36-46).
 
To worship God truthfully and honestly, we need to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him every day (Luke 9:23).
 
In conclusion, let the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, guide you to worship God in your spirit. In your everyday life, follow Christ. That is how we live from the spirit and not the soul.
 
Summarized a sermon by Zac Poonen:
https://youtu.be/rsJs3F8VeGM

 
​
靠灵而不是魂而活
 
每个人都有灵、魂、体 （帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:23；希伯来书 4:12）。魂包括一个人的智力。
 
许多信徒都注重智力（使徒行传 17:21）。但如果仅仅靠智力便可以知道神，那么对圣经有深厚知识的法利赛人应该接受基督（约翰福音 5:39），然而他们却拒绝祂。聪明的人会被他们的知识误导，不愿意谦卑地寻求上帝。
 
智力很重要，例如需要尽意地爱上帝（马太福音 22:37）。 但智力本身并不能将人变成上帝所寻找的敬拜者。
 
主耶稣教导上帝寻找那些用心灵和真理敬拜祂的人（约翰福音 4:23-24）。这是什么意思呢？
 
因为上帝是灵，要用心灵敬拜祂。 人需要圣灵（真理的灵）在心中的带领和改变, 使自己能认识和敬拜上帝（约翰福音 4:24）。
 
圣灵显明人的罪。使我们如约伯一样，看到自己的罪孽和不足时就会鄙视自己，悔改跪地，敬拜上帝（约伯记42：6；哥林多前书 14:24-25）。
 
让圣灵像活水的江河一样，从我们身上流出，荣耀天父（约翰福音 14:15-17; 7:38-39）。
 
在真理中敬拜上帝意味着我们诚实正直地敬拜祂。向上帝祷告的人应该在其余时间里也是同一个人。基督徒应该在日常生活中跟随上帝, 这比公开的事工更重要，也更困难。
 
所以，不要被自私的欲望左右，不要互相嫉妒，不要结党争斗（哥林多前书 3:1-3），不要让短暂的世俗之物辖制我们（约伯记1:20-21）。
 
当向亚伯拉罕学习。他敬拜上帝，甚至把最宝贵的儿子以撒献给上帝。他最深的渴望是上帝祂自己（创世记 22）。
 
基督在客西马尼园祈祷。祂在祷告中承认自己的选择，但依然遵循天父的旨意（约翰福音 6:38；马太福音 26:39）。
 
如果要在真理中诚实地敬拜上帝，应该每天舍弃自己, 背起自己的十字架跟随基督（路加福音 9:23）。
 
总而言之，让圣灵(真理的灵)引导我们在灵里敬拜上帝，在我们的日常生活中跟随基督。 这就是靠灵而不是靠魂而活。

 
 
 

In the first century, the city of Corinth was like Silicon Valley. It was a wealthy city with a heavy focus on glory, status, and power.
 
Paul, a well-educated, well-traveled Roman citizen, visited Corinth. Typically, amid people who may be “better,” many would puff themselves up to hide their insecurities. Instead, Paul went to Corinth humbly. He did not depend on his ability, but Paul depended on the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:3-5).
 
The power of the Spirit is the immense power of God, who brought the universe into reality (Hebrews 11:3). It is the power that enabled the disciples to accomplish phenomenal things (Acts 2:2-4).
 
How wonderful it would be if we could follow God and live our lives with this power! We could be filled by the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ and through His messages richly dwelling in us (John 7:37-39, Colossians 3:16-17, Ephesians 5:18-19). With the Holy Spirit in us, Christ is also in us, and we can be empowered by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, Ephesians 3:16-17, Acts 1:8, and Zechariah 4:6).
 
By ourselves, we are weak and incompetent. If we gain status or position, we can be easily tempted away from God. Status or position can erode what gets us there in the first place. For example, power can make us less sensitive to others’ needs, more impulsive, less empathetic, and less compassionate.
 
Instead, we should remain humble and surrender our will to the Holy Spirit, so that the Holy Spirit may guide and lead us (Galatians 5:18). On all occasions, depend on the Holy Spirit in prayer (Ephesians 6:18) so that rivers of living water would flow from us (John 7:38). We will be empowered by the Spirit, develop the fruit of the Spirit, and experience the wonder of the presence of the Spirit. May we live and serve God and others by the Holy Spirit.
 
Summarized from a John Ortberg’s sermon:
https://menlo.church/series/killingit#/modal/message/4715/mlo


​
圣灵的能力
 
第一世纪的哥林多城市就像今天的硅谷。它是一个富裕的城市，围绕着荣耀，地位和权力旋转。
 
保罗这位受过良好教育，经验丰富的罗马公民拜访哥林多。通常在“上等”的那些人中，许多人会看似自视甚高以掩饰内心的不安全感。然而，保罗却谦卑地去导哥林多。他不是依靠自己的能力，乃是依靠圣灵的能力（哥林多前书2：3-5）。
 
创造宇宙的神，祂的巨大能力就是圣灵的能力。圣灵的能力使门徒能完成非凡的事 （希伯来书11：3；使徒行传2：2-4）。
 
如果拥有这种能力跟随上帝，活出自己的生命，那将是何等美妙！
 
籍着对基督的信仰，籍着将祂的道理丰富地藏在心里，我们可以让圣灵充满 （约翰福音7：37-39；歌罗西书3：16-17； 以弗所书5：18-19）。
 
有圣灵内住，基督也在我们里面, 就可以从圣灵获得能力（哥林多前书6：19；以弗所书3：16-17；使徒行传1：8；撒迦利亚4：6）。
 
我们自己是软弱无能的。假若拥有身份或财富，我们更容易受诱惑而远离上帝。 身份或财富能使我们失去原来为之奋斗的初衷。例如权力能使我们对他人的需要更麻木，为人更浮躁，更缺乏同理心和同情心。
 
因此要谦虚，让自己的意志降服于圣灵，让祂引导带领我们(加拉太书5:18)。 随时依靠圣灵祷告 （以弗所书6:18）.
 
让活水的河从我们里面流出 （约翰福音7:38）。 圣灵加添力量给我们, 使我们结出圣灵的果子，经历圣灵同在的奇妙。 让我们依靠圣灵的能力活出每一天，服事上帝，服事其他人。

​Acts describes the filling by the Holy Spirit several times. Let’s see some common characteristics.
 
Acts 2 describes the sudden arrival of the Holy Spirit, filling at least the Apostles. People from different countries heard in their own languages the Apostles declaring the wonders of God. Three thousand were converted to Christ on that day.
 
Acts 4:8, 31 describe Christ’s disciples filled by the Spirit. The place shook and they spoke the word of God boldly.
 
Acts 10:44-48 describes how Peter was astonished when those listening to him suddenly received the Spirit. They spoke in tongues and praised God, so Peter ordered they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
 
In the above examples, being filled with the Holy Spirit is illustrated as an unpredictable event that astonishes people. Not even the Apostles could initiate it. Though there may not be specific feelings or emotions, something special will happen as God’s words are proclaimed, God is glorified, and people are changed.
 
Furthermore, a person filled by the Holy Spirit could be mistaken for being drunk (Ephesians 5:18; Acts 2:4,15; Luke 1:15).
 
Since the Holy Spirit is a being, we cannot be filled by a part of the Holy Spirit, but the degree of influence by the Holy Spirit varies. The Holy Spirit can guide us into the truth, tell us what’s to come, and testify about and glorify Christ (John 16:13-14, 15:26).
 
A person filled by the Spirit can give thanks to God for everything and in all circumstances. This can be due to trusting in God’s sovereignty and accepting whatever happens to be His will (Ephesians 5:18-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Other attributes can include bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), submitting to others due to reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21), and constantly singing songs glorifying God (Ephesians 5:18-19).
 
So how can we be filled?
 
Christ said that the Holy Spirit would flow from a person who trusts in Him (John 7:37-39). In the manner that water needs to fill a cup before flowing from it, so trusting in Christ leads to the filling of the Spirit.
 
Also, having Christ’s message richly dwell in us has similar effects as being filled by the Spirit. See the similarity between Colossians 3:16-17 and Ephesians 5:18-19, both books written around the same time by Paul.
 
So, if we would like to be filled by the Spirit, we should trust in Christ and richly keep His message in us.
 
Summarized a sermon by Stanley Toussaint:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i78opjR0Eoc
 
together with a sermon by 溫偉耀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB8Kn6cULHw
 


圣灵充满
 
使徒行传多次描述圣灵充满。 让我们看看它们有那些共同的特征。
 
使徒行传第二章描述圣灵突然降临，至少充满了门徒。 然后，来自不同国家的人听到了门徒使用他们国家的语言宣称上帝的奇妙。 那天三千人歸信了基督。
 
使徒行传4：8 和31描述使徒被圣灵充满。 聚会的地方也震动起來，他们放膽地傳講神的道。
 
使徒行传10：44-48描述彼得惊奇地发现，那些听他说话的人突然接受了圣灵，并说方言，赞美上帝。 因此彼得指令奉耶稣基督的名为他们施洗。
 
在上面的例子中，被圣灵充满有几个共同的特点。圣灵充满的时间是不可预测的，周围的人都会感到惊讶。甚至门徒也无法启发圣灵充满。 尽管可能没有特殊的感觉或情感，但一些非凡的事情会发生。在那段时间内，上帝的话会被宣扬，上帝得到荣耀，并且人们会被改变。
 
另外, 当被圣灵充满时，可能会出现类似醉酒者的迹象。在被充满时，一个人会受到圣灵的影响或受其控制（以弗所书5:18; 使徒行传2：4,15; 路加福音1:15）。 既然圣灵是一个个体，我们就不能只被一部分的圣灵所充满。但是，圣灵对不同的人有不相同的影响程度。
 
圣灵可以引导我们明白真理，为基督作见证和荣耀基督, 以及告诉我们将要发生什么事情（约翰福音 16：13-14; 15:26）。
 
被充满的人可能在任何情况下都感谢神（以弗所书5：18-20和帖撒罗尼迦前书5:18）。这可能是因为他们相信神的主权，并接受任何发生在他们身上都是祂的旨意。其他属性包括佣有圣灵所结的果子（加拉太书5：22-23）; 因敬畏基督而屈服于他人（以弗所书5:21）; 及经常唱歌赞美神（以弗所书5：18-19）。
 
但怎么才可被圣灵充满呢？
 
基督说过圣灵会从信靠祂的人那里流出来（约翰福音7：37-39）。如要水从杯中流出，当然需要水先填满那杯。同样地，圣灵从一个人身上流出之前，需要先充满此人。所以，信靠基督会令至圣灵充满。 
 
此外，让基督的信息充充足足地留在心中，似乎会与被圣灵充满有相似的效果。参考歌罗西书 3：16-17和以弗所书5：18-19之间的相似性，它们是保罗大约同时写的两本姊妹书。
 
因此，如果我们想被圣灵充满，要信靠基督及充实地保全祂的信息在我们心里。
 
 
 

​The Bible talks about Christians having the fruit of the Spirit. What is it? Let’s learn from Galatians 5:16-18 and 22-25.
 
It is a fruit; growing it requires time and patience, and the means of growing this fruit are not always obvious. Moving mountains, giving to the poor, and speaking in tongues do not guarantee that one has the fruit of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 13).
 
It is the fruit of the Spirit, implying it is from the Spirit, from faith in Christ.
 
It is a multifaceted fruit and includes the attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Having one attribute but lacking another is not the fruit of the Spirit.
 
For example, peace requires gentleness. This peace comes from knowing that God is in control, and we put ourselves in His hands. Worry and anxiety could sprout from our desire to control the future, which is born from arrogance. Peace attained through power isn’t the fruit.
 
Love requires being faithful, and faithfulness requires loyalty and courage. A partner who leaves you when you are in danger, or a friend who quits when you are attacked, doesn’t have love with faithfulness.
 
Self-control requires love and gentleness. Otherwise, we can become downright cruel. But self-control also should not be based in pride. Some say that boys shouldn’t cry because only girls cry. Such self-control distorts us.
 
Joy could help us make friends but to keep the good ones requires faithfulness.
 
Kindness and love require self-control. Without self-control, love could lead to indulgence, and tolerance could lead to lacking discipline and breaking promises. This isn’t the fruit.
 
Those who belong to Christ live by and walk with the Spirit, with their natural evil desires crucified. Then the fruit of the Spirit will gradually grow and create lasting change within us.
 
Adapted from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/how-to-change-5960/
 

​
什么是圣灵所结的果子？
 
圣经讲到基督徒有圣灵所结的果子。它是什么样的果子呢？让我们从加拉太书5：16-18和22-25中学习。
 
圣灵的果子首先是一种水果，栽培它由幼苗至收成需要很多时间, 耐心和等待。使这种水果生长的方法也非显而易见。移山开路、周济穷人或说方言都不保证能得到圣灵所结的果子（哥林多前书13）。
 
既是圣灵所结的果子，它就来自圣灵，也来自信仰基督。
 
这果子有多方面的特性：仁爱、喜悦、和平、忍耐、恩慈、良善、忠诚、温柔、和节制。这九个特性缺一不可，否则就不是圣灵所结出的果子！
 
例如和平需要温柔。这种平安来自知道上帝掌权，把自己交托在祂手里。担心和忧虑可能起源于傲慢，以为可以掌控未来。通过权力而得的平安不是圣灵所结的果子。
 
爱需要忠诚，忠诚有忠心和勇气。如伙伴在危急之时离弃你，亦或好友在你受到攻击时远离，这些都不是有忠诚的爱。
 
节制需要爱和温柔，否则就可能变成彻底的残忍。节制也不应以骄傲为基础。俗语说“男儿有泪不轻弹，”以为只有女孩才哭泣。这种节制扭曲我们的人性。
 
喜乐可以帮助结交朋友，但忠诚才能保存美好的友谊。
 
善良和爱需要节制。如果没有节制，爱可能导致放纵，容忍可会促成缺乏纪律，违背承诺。这都不是圣灵结的果子。
 
属基督的人活在圣灵里， 与圣灵同行，将天生的邪恶私欲钉在十字架上。如此，圣灵所结的果子将逐渐成长，在我们里面带来持久的更新改变。