牧者心聲
深化信仰培育，遊走於知情意行之間
張穎新牧師
2024 年 3 月 9 日 / 10 日
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聖經明言信徒「要行道，不要單單聽道」（雅一22），否則只是自欺欺人，辜負主恩。無論是舊約的上帝子民，抑或是新約的教會群體，皆領受上主貫徹始終的訓誨——聽道和明道、順服和跟從、遵命和行道。人若如此行，必然會在實際生活中經歷上帝的恩澤和福樂，這是祂不折不扣的應許。
然而，從「知」到「行」之間，因著每人的氣質和性格存異，各人的生命歷程都會有所不同。有人立定志向後，就攻克己身，排除萬難，竭力前行，專心靠著聖靈，篤信且力行。但是亦有很多人會猶豫不決，裹足不前，彷彿道種落在荊棘叢中，被世上的思慮和錢財擠住了，生命不能結實。
教育心理學指出個人德育方面的培養，需要建基於「知、情、意、行」的成長範疇和過程。套用在基督徒身上，假若我們更多關注「知」與「行」之間的特質和聯繫，尤其是它們跟「情」、「意」的互動和衍生因素，就可以幫助信徒在明道後切實行道，落實踐行信仰，轉化屬靈生命。
人是情感的存有（emotional being），故此必然會對身邊的人與事產生不同性質的感受、情緒、渴想和反應。順境時，我們會快樂和滿足；逆境時，我們則顯出擔憂和困頓。舊約詩人經常提醒我們要向上主傾心吐意，把內裡或苦或甜的感受和情緒向祂陳明，從而得著從主而來的安慰和平安，踏實前行。
所以，我們不可忽略個人的情感渴想和反應，在信仰裝備的同時，要敏銳自己的感受，尤其是壓力和負面情緒。畢竟，信仰培育不能跟現實處境分割，因為現實帶來的擔子和焦慮，又會反過來影響我們追求的心志和實踐的動力。我們心裡的「情」確實需要聖靈保慰師的幫助、疏導和保守，好讓我們的信仰踐行能夠曉之以理，動之以情，知行合一。
另外，人亦是意志的存有（willpower being），時而薄弱或鬆懈，時而堅定或奮進。在信仰需要培育「知」、「情」的基礎下，假如我們能心被恩感，立定志向、祈禱交託，效法基督的榜樣，竭力轉化為具體培訓和裝備的行動，就必立竿見影，為主所用，造就自己和整個群體。
信培主日，是一個鼓勵信徒坐言起行的日子，當人掌握自己在知情意行各層面的關注，必然有助他們回應上帝踐行真道的召命，做一個表裡如一的基督門徒，榮耀神的聖名。
The Bible teaches that believers should not "merely listen to the word" but also "do what it says" (James 1:22). Otherwise, we will be deceiving ourselves and wasting God's grace. The exhortation God's people in the Old Testament and the church community in the New Testament receive from the LORD is the same – that they should listen to the word, understand it, obey and follow. They should follow His commands and do what the word says. When man does this, he will be able to experience the grace and blessings of the LORD in everyday life. This is an abiding promise of God.
Nevertheless, due to our different temperaments and characters, our life journeys between "knowing" the word and "doing" what it says are different. Some people are determined. They discipline themselves and proceed against all odds. They rely on the Holy Spirit. They are firm in faith and strong in action. But many others are undecisive. They are like seeds fallen among the thorns. They are bound by worldly concerns and money matters and their lives cannot bear fruit.
Educational psychology points out that the nurturing of individuals' morals rests on their growth and process in the intellectual, emotional, volitional and practical dimensions. Applied to Christian life, more attention to the characteristics and connection between "intellect" and "practice," especially their interactions with "emotions" and "volition" and what they bring, will help believers to put the word into action after understanding it, to practice our faith and transform our spiritual life.
Man is an emotional being and will inevitably have feelings, emotions, longings and reactions towards the people and things around them. In good times, we are happy and gratified. In bad times, we are worried and frustrated. The Old Testament psalmists always remind us to speak our hearts to the LORD – to tell Him all our feelings and emotions be they bitter or sweet. In doing so, we will receive comfort and peace from the LORD and be able to step forward.
Therefore, we must not ignore our emotional longings and responses. While equipping ourselves to grow in faith, we should be alert to our feelings, in particular our pressure and negative emotions. After all, spiritual nourishment cannot be separated from reality. The burden and worries of reality often in turn affect our aspirations and motivation to practice the word of God. We need the Holy Spirit our Counselor to help, relieve and watch over our emotions so that our knowledge and actions will be in sync in the practice of faith.
Meanwhile, man is also a willpower being. The will may at times be weak and shaky, and at other times firm and resolute. Faith requires the nurturing of the "intellect" and "emotions." As such, if we respond to the grace of God, be determined, pray and commit everything to Him, imitate the example of Christ and take concrete action in receiving training and getting equipped, we can be effective and be used by God, benefitting not only ourselves but also the entire church community.
Equipping Sunday is a day we encourage believers to put words into action. When we are in touch with our concerns in the intellectual, emotional, volitional and practical dimensions, that will certainly help us to better respond to the call of the LORD to practice the truth. We will be disciples of Christ whose inner and outer man are one and the same, glorifying the holy name of God.
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