2025-07-06 Let Your Yes Be Yes 是就说是

Today, we were meant to wrap up our study of the book of James. 今天，我们本该结束雅各书的学习。But as I was reading through the last few verses, I felt we need to pause and sit with verse 12. 但当我读到最后的几节经文时，我感到要停下来，好好思想第12节。Have you ever said something like, “I swear I didn’t do it”? 你有没有说过类似这样的话“我发誓，那不是我干的”？Or heard someone say, “I swear it wasn’t me” 或者听别人说“我发誓，真的不是我”？? Why do people say things like that? 为什么人们会这样说话？What’s going on underneath? 这背后隐藏着什么？What are the consequences of speaking that way? 这样的说话方式会带来什么后果？And how can we stop doing it? 而我们又该如何停止这样的习惯？Or help others walk free from that pattern? 或者帮助他人脱离这种模式？The Bible says the truth sets us free. 圣经说，真理必叫你们得以自由。So let’s begin by reading 所以，让我们先来读James 雅5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned. 我的弟兄们，最要紧的是不可起誓。不可指着天起誓，也不可指着地起誓，无论何誓都不可起。你们说话，是就说是，不是就说不是，免得你们落在审判之下。Matt 太 5:37, All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. 你们的话，是，就说是；不是，就说不是；若再多说，就是出于那恶者（或作“是从恶里出来的”）。”

1, Why do we swear? 我们为什么起誓？

At first glance, we might think this is just about using bad language. 乍一看，我们可能以为这只是关于说脏话的问题。But James is talking about something deeper, making oaths or swearing in order to convince others that we’re telling the truth. 但雅各谈的是更深层的问题——为了让人相信我们说的是真话而发誓、起誓。“I swear I’m telling the truth!” “I promise on my life!” “I would never do that I swear to God!” 比如“我发誓，我说的是真的！”“我用性命保证！”“我发誓，我绝不会那样做！”Why do people say that? 人为什么会这样说？Usually, it’s because of distrust, either we’re afraid we won’t be trusted, or we’re trying to hide guilt, or control someone, or protect ourselves from being judged. 通常是因为不信任，要么是我们害怕别人不信我们，要么是我们试图隐藏负罪感，要么是想操控别人，要么是想保护自己免受论断。But the truth says, 但真理说：do not swear…all you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “no. Otherwise you will be condemned.” "不可起誓……你们的话，是，就说是；不是，就说不是。若再多说，就是出于那恶者。"

James is saying: Don’t do it. Just say what’s true. Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no. 雅各在说：不要这样做，你只需诚实地回答，“是”就说是，“不是”就说不是。Swearing can be a way to pressure, or manipulate others to to believe what you say. These words aren’t from God. 发誓往往是一种施压手段，或操控他人信你说的，而这些话语并非出于神。If someone often pads their words or exaggerates to convince others, it points to a deeper heart issue. 若有人总要用夸张的言辞来说服他人，这显明他们内心有更深层的问题。They need to ask God to heal and purify their heart. 他们需要求神医治并洁净他们的心。Coz Jesus said in 因耶稣说：Matt 太12:34: “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” "因为心里所充满的，口里就说出来。"

So if bitterness and anger fills the heart, rash and swear words will come out. .  若心中充满苦毒和愤怒，就会说出恶言和誓言。In Ruth 得1:20, Naomi, after losing her husband and sons, said, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara,” which means bitter. 拿俄米失去丈夫和儿子，她说：“不要叫我拿俄米，叫我玛拉。”玛拉就是苦的意思。She said, “because God has made my life very bitter.” 她说：“因为全能者使我受了大苦。”Her pain caused her to speak harshly, even about God. 痛苦使她说话尖刻，甚至是对神。And we can do the same when we’re hurting. “They’ve hurt me too many times, I’m done.” 我们受伤时也会这样："他们伤害我太多次了，我受够了。"When bitterness and unforgiveness take root, our words become reactive, emotional, and harmful. 当苦毒和不饶恕在心中扎根，我们的话语就会变得负面、情绪化且伤人。And if we don’t deal with the root, it shows up in all kinds of speech that goes beyond simple truth, 若不处理根源，就会在各种言语中显露出来，超出单纯的“是”或“不是”，like: Assuming: “She probably did that because she’s selfish.” 比如推测：“她这样做肯定是出于自私”；Judging: “He’ll never change.” 论断：“他永远不会改变”； Guessing: “he won’t be there, I bet.” 猜测：“我打赌他不会来”；Gossip: “Don’t tell anyone, but…” 闲话：“别说出去，其实...”；Flattery: “You’re amazing!” (when you don’t really mean it.) 奉承：“你真棒！”（当你并非真心）；Manipulation: “If you really cared, you’d do this.” 操控：“如果你真在乎，就该这么做”；Over-promising: “I’ll definitely be there!” (when you’re not sure.) 过度承诺：“我一定去！”（当你并不确定）。These aren’t just little slips, they reflect deeper sins rooted in silent wounds we carry, like bitterness, fear of man, unforgiveness, or pride. 这些不只是小过失，而是反映出我们内心深处的罪，如未愈合的创伤，如苦毒、对人的惧怕、不饶恕，或是骄傲。These block us from receiving God’s blessing. 这些都会阻挡我们领受神的祝福。If we wanna experience more blessing, we need to change from the inside out. 如果我们想要经历更多祝福，就需要从内到外的改变。

2, What’s the consequences?  会带来什么后果？

If we ignore the issue, then, James clearly says, the consequence of not letting our “yes” be yes is condemnation, falling under God’s judgment. 若我们忽视这问题，雅各明白地说，若我们没有“是”就说是，后果就是被定罪，落在神的审判之下。Jesus also said in 耶稣也说：Matt 太5:37: “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes, and your ‘No,’ no, anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” "你们的话，是，就说是；不是，就说不是；若再多说，就是出于那恶者。"In other words, swearing, guessing, gossiping, manipulating, or judging, any speech that goes beyond truth, comes from the enemy. 换句话说，发誓、猜测、说闲话、操控或论断，任何超出真理范畴的言语，都是出于那恶者。That’s serious! So what happens when we don’t let our yes be yes? 这很严重！那么，当我们没有“是”就说是，会发生什么？

 A. We open the door to the enemy. 我们给仇敌开门。The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. 恶者来，无非是要偷窃、杀害、毁坏。He steals our blessings, spiritually, relationally, even financially. 他会偷走我们灵性的、关系的甚至财务的祝福。In Matt 26, Judas followed Jesus outwardly, but betrayed Him with a kiss. 在马太福音26章，犹大表面跟随耶稣，却用亲吻出卖祂。His “yes” was actually a no, and the result was despair and death. 他的“是”其实是“不”，最终带来绝望与死亡。Why do some Christians still suffer from depression? 为何有些基督徒仍患抑郁症？Because that door to the enemy, where yes isn’t yes, remains open. 正是因为他们的“是”不真实，门户仍向仇敌敞开。When we swear oaths to sound sincere, say one thing but mean another, manipulate, or joke carelessly 当我们为显得真诚而起誓、口是心非、操控他人或说戏笑话时，(Eph弗 5:4), we step out of the truth, Satan find a way to attack, we get sick, or our kids do.我们就偏离了真理，撒旦便有可乘之机，我们会生病，或孩子会生病。Not every sickness is an attack from the enemy, but some are, so we need to discern and close the door to the enemy. 不是所有疾病都来自仇敌攻击，有些是，我们应当鉴察并向仇敌关门。

B. We damage trust in relationships. 我们会破坏关系中的信任。When people can’t rely on your word, trust breaks down. 当人们无法相信你的话时，信任就会瓦解。During deliverance ministry, I’ve heard people say, “Why don’t others trust me?” 在释放事工中，我常听人问：“为什么别人不信任我？”Often it’s because their words are full of “maybes,” or guessing, and people start to wonder: “Can I really trust this person?” 往往是因为他们的话充满“可能”或猜测，让人开始怀疑：“我真的能相信这个人吗？”

C, We live with inner conflict. 我们会活在内心冲突中。When your yes doesn’t really mean yes, you end up feeling anxious, guilty, or defensive. 当你的“是”不真实时，结果就会陷入焦虑、负罪感或自我保护状态。You try to explain or justify yourself, adding extra words to protect yourself, but they don’t help. 你总想为自己辩解解释，说多余的话保护自己，但没有用。As a result, you lose your peace. Twenty years ago, God healed me from manic depression through a simple prayer of confession. 结果这使你失去平安。二十年前，神藉着我一个认罪祷告就医治了我的狂躁症。But how do I maintain that healing and stay free to help others? 但要如何持守这医治并可持续自由去帮助他人？By applying God’s truth daily. 每天操练神的真理。Every night before I sleep, I pray and confess if my ‘yes’ hasn’t been yes, and ask for grace to walk in His truth the next day. 每晚睡前，我祷告认自己的罪，若我的“是”不真实，并求神赐恩典让我第二天行出来。I’m still practising, and it works well. 我仍在操练，很有用。

E. We harden our hearts to the Holy Spirit. 我们的心向圣灵刚硬。The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth. 圣灵是真理的灵。If we ignore Jesus’ teaching and continue speaking dishonestly, where our yes means nothing, we start to resist Him. 若我们忽视耶稣的教导，持续说话不诚实，我们说的“是”没有意义，就开始抵挡圣灵。Over time, we grow numb to His conviction. 久而久之，我们对圣灵的责备和神的声音就会变得麻木。

F. We misrepresent God. 我们错误地代表了神。We are Christ’s ambassadors 我们是基督的使者。(2 Cor 林后5:20). When our words come out of wounds and dishonesty, we present a distorted picture of God, as if He’s not trustworthy. 当我们出于受伤和不诚实说话时，就扭曲了神的形象，仿佛祂是不可信的。But when we walk in truth, when our yes is yes, we reflect Jesus’ faithfulness and integrity. 但当我们行在真理中，当我们的“是”就是“是”，我们便反映出耶稣的信实和正直。

3, How to let your yes be yes, no be no?  如何让“是”就“是”，“不是”就“不是”？

It starts with the heart. God is not like people. He sees beyond our words and looks straight into our hearts. 这要从心开始。神不像人，祂不看外貌，而是鉴察人心。And He wants our hearts to be transformed. Coz the heart is core to our life transformation. 祂要的是我们内心的转变，因为心是生命改变的核心。Jesus said: 耶稣说：“Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” “因为心里所充满的，口里就说出来” (Matt 太12:34). So if our words are shaky, manipulative, or swearing, or exaggerated, it means the heart needs healing. 所以如果我们的话摸棱两可、想操纵人信、发誓或夸大，就说明心需要医治。There may be anger, fear, insecurity, bitterness, pride, or a need to please people behind our speech. 我们言语背后可能隐藏着怒气、惧怕、不安、苦毒、骄傲或想讨好人。Here are some practical steps to walk in truth: 以下有一些操练真理的步骤：

A. Identify what the issue is. 识别问题。Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what’s beneath the words. 求圣灵显明你言语背后真实的动机。Sometimes rejection leads to anger, and people lash out. 有时被拒绝会引发怒气，人就大发雷霆，“I don’t even care,” or “Whatever, I’m done with them”, not because they don’t care, but because they’re hurting. “我才不在乎呢”，或者“随他们的便，我受够了”，说这话不是因为他们不在乎，而是因为受伤了；Others speak from offence when they feel misunderstood or treated unfairly. “You never listen to me,” or “No one appreciates what I do,” often comes from old wounds, not just the moment. 另一些人被误解或不公对待时，因被冒犯就会说，“你从来不听我说”，或“没人在意我做的事”，通常是因过去受的伤害，不是因当下的事；Some say “yes” to avoid disappointing others, “sure, I can help,” while feeling overwhelmed or resentful. 还有人为不让人失望就说“是”，“好的，我帮你”，其实是不知所措甚至是反感的；Others use exaggeration or manipulation to feel in control or important. 还有人说夸大或操纵的话来获取掌控感或让自己感到很重要，“If you really loved me, you wouldn’t say no,” or “Fine, I’ll just do it myself.” Don’t ignore the signs, they’re not yes be yes.  “你要是爱我，就不会拒绝我”，或“算了，我自己做”。不要忽视这些迹象，这都不是“是”就说是。

B. Bring it to God in prayer. 带到神面前祷告。Confess it to the Lord, repent and receive God’s grace and forgiveness to forgive others, that heals you. 向主承认你的问题，悔改并领受神的恩典与赦免，饶恕他人，就能使你得医治。Let the Holy Spirit remind you of who you are in Christ, loved, accepted, secure. 让圣灵提醒你在基督里的身份：你是蒙爱的、被接纳的、安稳的。

C. Choose truthful speech and let God be your defender. 选择说诚实话，让神成为你的辩护者。Grow your faith in God and make a habit of honest words. 操练对神的信心，培养诚实的说话习惯。Don’t say “yes” if you mean “no.” You can just say, “Sorry, I’m not sure.” 心里不想口里就不要说“是”，你只需说：“对不起，我不确定。”You don’t need to impress or protect yourself with extra words. 无需用多余的言语来给人印象、或保护自己。When your heart is secure in God, you can speak plainly and trust Him to defend you. 当你的心在神里面安稳，就能坦然直言，信神必为你辩护。People may misunderstand or overlook you, but let your “yes” be yes, and trust God with the rest. 别人或许会误解或忽视你，但你们的话，是，就说是；不是，就说不是，其余的交托给神。He sees your heart and wants to be your defender. 祂鉴察你的心，并要为你申辩。As Psalm 诗37:6 says: “He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” 祂必使你的公义如光发出，使你的公平明如正午。

Jesus is the perfect example of someone whose yes was always yes. 耶稣“是”就说是，祂是完全的人，是完美榜样。He didn’t just preach the truth, He lived it. 祂不仅传讲真理，更活出了真理。When He said, “I will go to the cross,” He went. 当祂说“我会上十字架”，祂真上了；When He said, “I’ll lay down my life for you,” He did. 当祂说“我为你们舍命”，祂真舍了；When He said, “I will rise on the third day,” the tomb was empty. 当祂说“第三日我要复活”时，坟墓果然空了。Even when it cost Him everything, betrayal, beating, the cross, He kept His word. His life, death, and resurrection were the ultimate “Yes”, a yes to the Father, and a yes to saving and healing us. 即便付上一切代价，被出卖、受鞭打、钉十架，祂依然持守诺言。祂的生、祂的死、祂的复活，正是那终极的“是”：是对天父说的“是”，也是对拯救医治我们说的“是”。Now He invites you and me to follow Him, to entrust ourselves to Him, to let our yes be yes, and align our hearts with His truth and love. 如今祂邀请你我跟随祂，将自己交托给祂，让我们的“是”就说是，使我们的心与祂的真理和爱一致。Will you say yes to Him today? A real yes, with no holding back? 今日你愿意向祂说“是”吗？一个毫无保留、真实无伪的“是”？

Let’s sing the last song, then we’ll pray and take communion together.

让我们来唱最后一首歌，然后一起祷告和领圣餐。

Thank You, Jesus, for the blood You shed on the cross, 谢谢你，耶稣，感谢你在十字架上为我们流的宝血，the blood that washes us clean, brings us back to who we are in Christ, and breaks every chain. 那血洗净我们，使我们回到在基督里的身份，也砍断了一切锁链。Thank You for Your sacrificial love that is sure, unchanging, and powerful to heal the brokenhearted. 感谢你永不改变、永不止息的爱，这爱有医治破碎人心的大能。Thank You that Your blood still speaks, mercy, healing, and hope. 感谢你，因你的宝血至今仍在说话，带来怜悯、医治与盼望。

You said You would lay down Your life for Your loved ones, and You did. 你说你要为你所爱的人舍命，你就舍了。You said You would rise again, and You did. 你说你会从死里复活，你真的复活了。You said You would never leave us, and You haven’t. 你说你永不离弃我们，你就从不走开。Your yes is always yes. 永永远远，你“是”就说是。

Today, as we come to Your table, we are reminded again that You are faithful.
今天，当我们来到你的桌前，我们再次被提醒，你是信实的。And You call us to be faithful like You, to let our yes be yes, and our no be no. 你也呼召我们像你一样信实，让我们的“是”就说“是”，“不是”就说“不是”。Not to cover ourselves with extra words, not to swear or exaggerate, not to manipulate or speak out of fear or pride. 不要用多余的话掩饰自己，不要起誓或夸大其词，不要操控别人，也不要因惧怕或骄傲而说话。

Holy Spirit, search our hearts. 圣灵啊，求你鉴察我们的心。Show us if there are wounds that are still bleeding, areas where the door is still open to the evil one. 请显明我们里面是否还有流血的伤口，还有哪些地方向那恶者敞着门。Now, let’s open our hearts with our eyes closed. 现在，你可以闭上眼睛，敞开你的心。This is a moment for you to experience God’s healing and deliverance through identifying the issues, repenting, and forgiving. 就是现在，借着认出问题、悔改和饶恕，来经历神的医治和释放。The Holy Spirit is ready to minister to you. 圣灵已经预备好要亲自服侍你。But you need to be honest with Him. 但你当向祂坦诚。If you’d like, you can follow my prayer: 如果愿意，你可以跟着我祷告：

Lord, perhaps I’ve carried rejection, perhaps it goes all the way back to my childhood. 主啊，也许我心里有被拒绝感，也许这从我童年就开始了。Perhaps I’ve carried words spoken over me, 也许我因着别人对我说过的话，like “Someone is better than you,” “You’re not good enough,” “You’re not loved,” “No one wants you,” or “You’re just a problem.” 比如：“别人比你好”、“你不够好”、“你不被爱”、“没有人想要你”或“你只是个麻烦。” Words that cut deep. 这些话深深伤害了我。And I agreed with them, even using them to hurt myself. 而我认同了这些话，用它们来伤害自己。Because of that pain, whenever that button is pushed, I begin to speak unreliably. 因为这伤痛，每当触发那个点，我说的话就不信实。Sometimes I say yes, but my heart means no. 有时候我嘴上说“是”，心里却是“不”。I yield to the fear of man, or a deep desire to be praised by people. 我顺从了惧怕人，或想被人称赞的私欲。When I feel misunderstood, unheard, or not trusted, I speak swearing, angry, or filthy words, not from faith, but from pain. 当我觉得被误解、被忽视或不被信任时，我会说出咒骂、愤怒或污秽的话，不是出于信心，而是出于痛苦。

Forgive me, Lord. 主啊，求你赦免我。Because of this, I opened the door for the enemy, 因为这一切，我为仇敌打开了门，to steal my spiritual blessing, my emotional peace, my physical health, 让他偷走了我属灵的祝福、内心的平安、身体健康，and to kill and destroy my relationships with my family, others, and with You, even my finances. 毁坏了我与家人、他人、和你的关系，甚至影响了我的财务状况。

But Lord Jesus, You paid the price for my healing and freedom. 但主耶稣，你已经为我得医治得自由付上了代价。So today, I bring this pain to Your cross. 所以今天，我把这伤痛带到你的十字架前。I break every agreement with the lie that says love comes from man’s approval or praise. 我断开一切与谎言的协议，那谎言说爱是从人的认同或称赞而来的。That’s a lie, straight from Satan’s fallen heart of vanity. 那是来自撒但堕落虚荣的谎言。True love, unconditional, eternal love, comes from the cross of Jesus, where the Son of God died for me. 真正的爱——无条件、永恒的爱，是从耶稣的十字架而来，神的儿子为我死。I’m forgiven. I’m loved. 我被赦免了，我被爱着。I’m on the journey of being made whole. 我正走在被修复完全的旅程中。My identity is rooted in Christ Jesus and in His truth. 我的身份根植于基督耶稣和祂的真理。And I choose to forgive those who hurt me, my parents, my teachers, my friends, my partner… anyone. 我选择饶恕那些伤害过我的人，我的父母、老师、朋友、伴侣……任何人。Holy Spirit, release resurrection power to tear down every stronghold of rejection, fear, manipulation, and lies  圣灵，求你释放复活的大能，拆毁一切被拒绝、惧怕、操控和谎言的坚固营垒，and cast out all the relevant evil powers from my life and my family. 斥责所有邪恶权势从我和我家人的生命中出去。Lord Jesus, I’m willing to deny myself, to take up my cross, and to follow You daily. 主耶稣，我愿意舍己，天天背起我的十字架来跟随你。Let my yes be yes, and my no be no. 让我“是”就说“是”，“不是”就说“不是”。Let my heart be aligned with Your love and truth. 让我的心与你的爱和真理对齐。I surrender my pain, and I receive Your peace into my heart now. 我交出我的痛苦，现在我领受你的平安进入我的心中。By Your stripes, I am healed. 因你受的鞭伤，我得着医治。Thank You, Jesus…”谢谢你，耶稣……

You can continue to worship Him through prayer. 你可以继续用祷告来敬拜祂。Now, those who serve the communion, please come forward and serve…现在，请服事圣餐的弟兄姊妹上前来分发圣餐……After you receive the cup and the bread, please hold onto them. 当你领到杯和饼时，请先拿着，We’ll take them together as one body. 我们将一同领受，作为一个身体。

Now, as we take this bread, we remember the body of Christ, broken for us. 我们每逢吃这饼，是记念基督的身体为我们而舍。Christ the Son didn’t just say “yes” to the Father’s will, He followed through, even to death. 基督神儿子不只是对天父的旨意说“是”，祂更是顺服至死。This bread reminds us that His “yes” was complete. 这饼提醒我们，祂说了“是”，祂就完全顺服。Let’s eat this bread with thankful hearts, and with a desire to follow His example. 让我们怀着感恩的心领受这饼，并立志效法祂。And as we take this cup, we remember the blood of Jesus, poured out for us, sealing a new covenant of mercy and truth.  每当我们拿起这杯，我们记念耶稣为我们流出宝血，以慈爱和真理所立的新约。As we drink, we remember His faithfulness, and ask for grace to be faithful too, to let our yes be yes, and our no be no.  我们每逢喝的时候，是记念祂的信实，也求神赐恩使我们同样信实，是就说是，不是就说不是。Let’s drink together.  我们一同来喝这杯。

Thank You, Jesus, for being the perfect "yes." 感谢你，耶稣，因你是那完全的“是”。Thank You for Your body and Your blood.  感谢你为我们舍身体，流宝血。Help us now to live in truth, to walk in love, and to speak with honesty and grace.  求你帮助我们活在真理里，行在爱中，说诚实话，言语中有恩慈。Let our calling honor Your name! Amen. 愿我们的呼召荣耀你的名！阿们。