Throughout the history, the greatest threat to God’s work has been false prophets and teachers, because they are proposed to speak in His name yet their deeds denied Him. After Jesus’ direct confrontation with the false spiritual leaders, He gave His final public warning to them and to the people on the eternal danger of perverse teachings of false teachers. The Lord wanted to draw people away from them, and to turn the people to true teachings and godly leaders.
历来，对神工作的最大威胁是假先知和假教师，因为他们藉着神的名义说话，行事为人却与祂悖逆。继耶稣与假教师的直接对质后，祂向假教师及众人给予最后的公开警告，陈述假教师乖僻教导的危险性。主要引人离开他们，使他们转向真理的教导与敬虔的领袖。
- Characteristics of false spiritual leaders 虚假属灵领袖的特征 (23:1-7)
False leaders “have seated themselves in the chair of Moses” (v.2, NASB); they were not appointed by God nor even elected by the people to the position. “They preach, but do not practice” (v.3); this is the crux of their very nature. Their hearts’ motivation is only to be seen and recognized by man in public (v.5-7), instead of fearing God who is in secret, who searches mind and heart (6:4, Rev 2:23). This drives them to pretenses of piety, but they do not have a true shepherd’s heart (v.4; cf. 11:28-30).
- Characteristics of true spiritual leaders 真实属灵领袖的特征 (23:8-12)
On the contrary, true leaders avoid elevated titles (v.8-10). Men who faithfully proclaim and interpret God’s Word are to be appreciated, loved, and highly esteemed by those they serve (1 Thess. 5:12-13), but they are not to seek honor, much less demand or glory in it. Human teachers are all brothers with every other believer; no man’s calling, however unique, justifies him to be portrayed as being spiritually superior. They willingly accept lowly service in their Lord’s name, following their Lord’s example.
相反的，真实的领袖会避开崇高的头衔（8-10节）。忠实宣扬与分解神话语的会受到他们羊群的赏识与爱戴，并得到他们的高度评价（帖前5:12-13），但他们不当寻求荣誉，更不用说强求或以此为荣。教导者与其他的信徒当以兄弟彼此相待。不论个人蒙召的经历有多独特，都不能抬举自己，以为自己比别人属灵。他们为主的名，效法主的榜样而甘愿谦卑自己去服侍众人。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Are you following godly leaders? Do they preach the Bible in exposition? Pray for your leaders that they will be faithfully teaching God’s Word to you.
你所跟随的是敬虔的领袖吗？他们是否以释经讲道的方式讲解圣经呢？请为你的领袖祷告，叫他们能忠心地向你讲解神的话。
- Are your leaders attractive and sweet talkers? By definition, false leaders are attractive and sweet talkers. They tell you what you like to hear not what God wants you to hear. Hard Truth confronts and challenges us. It makes us feel uncomfortable. This is the role God given them. Pray that you accept their chastening and hard teaching. Pray that you follow the hard truth rather teaching that make us feel good.
你的领袖是富魅力且满口花言巧语的吗？假教师就是这样的人。他们讲你喜欢听的话却漠视真理。然而，实在的真理却是常常让我们感到不舒服的，总是能指出我们的不是，并挑战我们。这正是神要牧者做的。祷告祈求你能接受牧者给予你的责备和认真的教导；祷告你能遵循真理而不听从那只会让人自我感觉良好的假道理。
- Are you following leaders that are abled communication experts or are they constantly seeking to implement the truth? Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1) Pray that you are following leaders that lead by example.
你所跟随的领袖们是善于沟通的专家或是不断寻求真理的实行者？保罗说：“你们该效法我，像我效法基督一样。”祷告你愿效法那以身作则的领袖。
