文 / HuSir

　　很多基督徒信主多年，依旧对“神”的概念模糊：

• 神是一个遥远、高高在上的存在？
• 神是解决困难时呼喊的对象？
• 神是律法的制定者、敬拜的焦点？

　　这些说法都没有错，但却不够。更关键的是，很多人在教会里听“神的话语”听了多年，却从未知道：“神”其实不是遥远的主，而是一个可以同行、引导、更新我们生命状态的“位格”——“神是个灵”(约翰福音 4:24a 和合本)，祂的同在可以成为我们稳定情绪的锚、人生选择的光、内在灵魂的安息。

　　遗憾的是，不少讲道人将神描述得“神乎其神”、脱离现实生活。他们为了维持“属灵权威”，不愿把“神”讲得具体、生活化；也有人因为理解尚浅，只能依赖熟悉的宗教术语来应付讲道；更有甚者，用神秘化的语言吓唬信徒，使人只能“顺服权柄”，而非认识真神。这些讲道方式并不能带来生命的更新，反而让信徒陷入宗教壳子里，活得更焦虑、更空洞、更看不见神。

一、中国成语中“神”的影子：人的灵魂、注意力与感应力

1. 聚精会神

　　精神高度集中，注意力的完全投向。这正与主耶稣所说“尽心、尽性、尽意、尽力爱主你的神”（可12:30）互通。信仰不是空喊“主啊”，而是能否聚焦地活在主面前。

• 神不守舍

　　神思不集中，说明“神”是一个灵动的意识活动状态。属灵生活中，我们是否常常“走神”？读经无心、祷告漫不经心、主日听道却想着考试或业绩？

• 心神不宁 / 心神领会 / 心神俱疲

　　这些词显明“神”与人的内在感受有关。中国古人早已意识到“人不是只有身体”，还有一个“看不见的我”。圣经中提到“心灵与诚实”，就是这个层面。

• 神机妙算 / 神出鬼没 / 神通广大

　　虽有“神话”意味，却也触及“超越人能”的那一面。圣经的神，不仅超越万有，也住在我们心中，让我们能在日常抉择中经历祂的智慧与保守。

• 神游物外 / 神魂颠倒 / 神色凝重 / 精神焕发

　　这些词反映“神”是能影响人的外在表现的内在灵性。这与圣灵的工作一致——祂不是给我们“教条”，而是让我们“神情中有光”，“言语中有温度”。

二、圣经里的“神”与中国语言的呼应

　　圣经中的神（Elohim/YHWH）：

• 创造宇宙，掌管生命
• 有位格、有情感、有意志
• 愿意住在人心中，作人的救主与朋友

　　中国传统语言虽然未明言“有位格的神”，却多次表达出对“不可见但真实”的尊重，比如：

• 对命运的敬畏：即神的主权；
• 对良知的听从：即神的律法在心；
• 对灵感、直觉的敏锐：即圣灵的光照。

　　这些都不是“无神论”的文化，而是“未完全启示”的文化。正如保罗所说：“你们所不认识而敬拜的，我现在告诉你们。”（徒17:23）

三、让“神”从语言走进生活：三个操练方向

1. 从“敬拜仪式”转为“专注生活”
   　　敬拜不是周日唱几首歌，而是每天是否在祷告中“聚精会神”；是否在焦虑中记得转向神；是否让神的话语成为你抉择的光。
2. 从“神学知识”转为“神同行感”
   　　你每天有没有经验到神的提醒？有“感动”时有没有顺服？你是把神当答案的对象，还是日常的朋友？这决定了你是“知识信徒”还是“真实门徒”。
3. 从“属灵语言”转为“属神性情”
   　　你说话是否带着温柔？你是否有喜乐的神情？你在压力下是否依然有“神色中的平安”？这才是真正“属神”的人，而不是“话术属灵”。

四、必须讲清楚“神是什么”：为了信得真、活得实

　　为什么今天有那么多基督徒在信仰里疲乏、空洞、功利、软弱？因为我们被一种“宗教化”的话语耽误太久了：

1. 宗教语言让神“玄学化”

　　一些讲道人用“属灵词汇”过多的包裹无内容的讲道（如“哈利路亚”、“奉主名祝福”等）来制造敬虔气氛，但却缺乏与生活对应的属灵实践。

• 缺乏对人性与传统文化的深入理解

　　他们不愿从中国文化语境出发解释“神”，只会生搬神学词汇，而这些词汇在翻译过程中总会出现这样或那样的与传统文化的差异，但这些翻译却无视了这些差异，生搬硬套的翻译会让很多被传统文化熏陶的信众感觉到一种凌驾于自己认知之上的傲慢，反而难以融入和理解。这种“语言的隔离”直接让人感到信仰脱离生活。

• 属灵逃避成为遮羞布

　　讲道中充满“要信、要交托、要顺服”的口号，却从不回答现实问题：怎么做决定？怎么教育孩子？怎么面对欲望？——因为他们自己也不活得真实。

　　我们必须呼吁信仰从“宗教壳子”里走出来。耶稣说：“你们必晓得真理，真理必叫你们得以自由。”（约8:32）——而不是被“属灵迷雾”捆绑。弟兄姐妹们须知道，这种自由发自于你的内心，而不是出于一个“神秘的地方”让你琢磨不透。

五、一个特别的提醒：警惕“宗教化信仰”和“分数至上”毁了下一代

　　本文通过人们日常使用的成语以及在日常敬拜中的一些误区，说明了我们该怎样理解神，目的是为了指出一个令人痛心的现实：在中国，许多基督徒父母口里说信神，但心里却信的是“高考之神”、“成功之神”。

　　他们愿意花数万的钱让孩子报补习班，却不愿意孩子花一个小时灵修。他们以为“有神就好，别太走火入魔”，却不知真正荒唐的是他们自己——把分数当成孩子的“命运终极”，却把信仰当成“装饰品”！

　　亲爱的父母，耶稣说：“人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？”（可8:36）

• 你的孩子是为了荣耀神而生，不是为了做一台“绩效机器”。
• 你教他如何进入一所大学，却没教他如何面对死亡、痛苦与孤单。
• 你用“理性”限制信仰，却不知没有信仰的理性最终也将迷失。

结语：神不是遥远的概念，而是你内心真实的源头

　　“神”不是一个你“叫一声就来”的功能按钮，也不是一个你“配得上才配拥有”的远方评委。祂是那位随时愿意进到你灵里、与你对话、赐你方向、使你更新的天父。

　　让我们从中国语言中重新认识神，从生活中重新体会神，从信仰里真实经历神——活出自由、不被宗教话语束缚的基督徒生命。

What Exactly Is God?—Exploring the True Meaning of Faith through Chinese Idioms

By HuSir

Many Christians have believed for years yet still hold a blurred idea of “God”:

• Is God a distant, lofty being?
• Is God someone we cry out to only in crisis?
• Is God merely the giver of laws and the focus of worship?

None of these statements are wrong, but all are incomplete. More crucially, many people have listened to “the word of God” for years inside the church yet never realized that God is not remote. He is a personal being—“God is Spirit” (John 4:24a, NKJV)—who can walk with us, guide us, and renew our entire life. His presence can be the anchor for our emotions, the light for our decisions, and the rest for our inner soul.

Sadly, quite a few preachers describe God in a way that is “mystical” yet detached from everyday life. Some, to retain “spiritual authority,” refuse to speak of God in concrete, practical terms; others, lacking depth, resort to familiar jargon to pad their sermons; still others use mystifying language to intimidate believers, trapping them in blind “submission to authority” instead of leading them to know the true God. Such preaching does not bring life-change—it drives believers into a religious shell, leaving them more anxious, empty, and blind to God.

I. Glimpses of “Shen” (神) in Chinese Idioms: Soul, Attention, and Sensitivity

1. 聚精会神(Jù-jīng-huì-shén) – “to concentrate with every ounce of spirit.”
   The idiom speaks of total focus. It echoes Jesus’ words: “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30, NKJV). Faith is not mouth-service; it is a life focused on God.
2. 神不守舍(Shén-bù-shǒu-shè) – literally “the spirit has left its dwelling,” meaning one’s mind wanders. It reminds us that “spirit” is dynamic. In spiritual life we often “lose focus”: mindless Bible reading, distracted prayer, or daydreaming during sermons.
3. 心神不宁 / 心神领会 / 心神俱疲 – phrases describing inner agitation, insight, or exhaustion. Ancient Chinese already sensed that humans are more than bodies; there is an unseen “self.” Scripture calls us to worship “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24b).
4. 神机妙算 / 神出鬼没 / 神通广大 – idioms implying power beyond human ability. The biblical God not only transcends the universe; He also indwells us, offering wisdom and protection in daily choices.
5. 神游物外 / 神魂颠倒 / 神色凝重 / 精神焕发 – idioms showing that the “spirit” shapes outward expression. Likewise, the Holy Spirit does not hand us mere rules; He fills us so that our countenance shines and our words carry warmth.

II. “God” in Scripture and Its Echoes in Chinese Language

The God of the Bible (Elohim / YHWH) is:

• Creator of the universe, Lord of life
• Personal—possessing emotion, will, and voice
• Holy, faithful, righteous, and merciful
• Willing to dwell in the human heart, becoming Savior and Friend

Traditional Chinese language, while not defining a personal God, still honors an unseen yet real dimension:

• Reverence for destiny → God’s sovereignty
• Obedience to conscience → God’s law written on the heart
• Sensitivity to inspiration/intuition → the Spirit’s illumination

This is not “atheistic culture,” but “culture awaiting fuller revelation.” As Paul said, “Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:23, NKJV)

III. Bringing “God” from Language into Life—Three Daily Practices

1. From “Worship Ritual” to “Focused Living”
   Worship is not a few songs on Sunday. Each day: Do I concentrate in prayer? In anxiety, do I turn to God? Does His word guide my decisions?
2. From “Theological Knowledge” to “Walking with God”
   Do I experience God’s nudges each day? When prompted, do I obey? Is God my emergency answer-box, or my everyday Friend? This marks the difference between a knowledge believer and a true disciple.
3. From “Spiritual Language” to “Godly Character”
   Do my words carry gentleness? Does my face show joy? Under pressure, do I still radiate “God-given peace”? That is genuine godliness, not mere catch-phrases.

IV. Why We Must Clarify “Who God Is”: So We May Believe Truly and Live Authentically

Why are so many Christians tired, hollow, or utilitarian? Because religious verbiage has obscured reality far too long:

1. Religious jargon has “mystified” God
   Some sermons wrap empty content in spiritual clichés (“Hallelujah,” “In Jesus’ name be blessed”), yet lack any life application.
2. Lack of deep engagement with humanity and culture
   Borrowed theological terms often ignore Chinese cultural nuance, sounding arrogant and disconnected. This linguistic gap pushes seekers away.
3. Spiritual slogans as a cover for evasion
   Pulpits call, “Just believe, commit, obey,” but seldom address real problems: decisions, parenting, desires—perhaps because the speakers themselves avoid living authentically.

Jesus says, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32, NKJV)
Freedom rises from within, not from a fog of mystery.

V. A Special Warning: “Religious Faith” plus “Score-Idolatry” Is Destroying the Next Generation

This article explains how we should understand God through the idioms people use daily and some misunderstandings in our daily worship. The purpose of this article is to point out a sad reality: in China, many Christian parents say they believe in God, but in their hearts, they believe in “the god of the college entrance exams”, “the god of success”.

Dear parents, Jesus asked, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36, NKJV)

• Your child was born to glorify God, not to become a performance machine.
• You teach entrance into university, but not how to face death, pain, or loneliness.
• You confine faith to “reason,” yet reason without faith ultimately loses its way.

Conclusion: God Is Not a Distant Concept, but the True Source Within You

God is not a “push-button” for emergencies, nor a remote judge you must impress. He is the Father eager to enter your spirit, converse with you, guide you, and renew you.

May we rediscover God through Chinese language, re-experience Him in daily life, and truly encounter Him in faith—living as free Christians, no longer chained by empty religious talk.

(All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version.)