Introduction

In life, we encounter numerous events. If we fail to understand an issue the first time, we let it slip away. Then, when we face another issue and again fail to grasp it, we let that slip away too. If this pattern continues, we will become increasingly confused and muddled. By old age, this could lead to senile dementia. Essentially, the core problem lies in our comprehension. If we encounter problems and instead of seeking clarity, we remain in a state of confusion, how can we avoid trouble?

Yesterday, while installing shelves in the shower, I needed to use expansion screws. These screws require drilling a hole in the wall, inserting a component, and then attaching the screw. However, screws generally cannot be directly tightened into the wall as they would not grip. Instead, they need an expansion screw. When I asked a sister to buy 8mm expansion screws, the question she posed puzzled me. I was taken aback when, after asking her to buy 8mm screws, she asked if I needed 80mm ones. 80mm is almost the size of a downlight; there are no expansion screws that size! She lacked a fundamental understanding of the object!

Although it was not her first time assisting me with expansion screws, the first time I asked her to buy some, she simply did so. This time, however, she was confused. This indicates that she has never truly understood the concept of expansion screws. As a result, when asked to buy 8mm screws, which are about the thickness of a chopstick, she bought 12mm screws, which are closer to the thickness of a finger.

The difference between finger-thick and chopstick-thick is significant. When I asked her why she bought 12mm screws instead of 8mm, she replied, Isn't this what we bought last time? I explained that the last time, we were installing a water heater, which is heavy and required larger screws.

Today, I encourage everyone to begin pondering these things. If you encounter something called an expansion screw, understand what it is and its purpose. Understand the different types of expansion screws and their sizes, including both length and thickness. It's that simple. My concern is that many people, even those with university educations, tend to be careless and let issues pass by without fully understanding them. This is not a trivial matter. If you let things pass by in confusion today, you will do the same tomorrow. Eventually, you will approach the Word of God with the same lack of clarity.

Today, I advise you to clarify everything you encounter. For example, if you are in a relationship, strive to understand it. If you approach it without clarity, isn't that a tragedy? That is no way to resolve an issue.

I encourage all brothers and sisters to cultivate the habit of clarifying matters rather than muddling through them. Confusion is not a solution.

I often wonder when I can train those around me, the brothers and sisters in our church, to have a fundamental understanding of things. If we remain confused day after day, who will the devil target if not us? The devil operates in moments of uncertainty. If you lack a clear understanding, you will falter at crucial moments. The devil will exploit you ruthlessly. Clarify matters thoroughly; I have repeated this countless times.

Recently, a brother took his driving test four times and failed each time. He later explained the situation, saying it was bizarre! He registered for a manual transmission test. When I asked why, he said, With a manual license, I can drive any car in the future! But you are not a driving instructor. Who even buys manual cars these days? Perhaps in some backward areas, but manual is harder! He failed four times!

Manual transmissions have a clutch. He failed before even driving the car out of the starting area. He pressed the clutch hard, preventing the car from moving forward. When he released the handbrake, the car rolled backward, and he stepped on the gas. He simply did not understand the clutch. Without thoroughly understanding something, you will fail. I think I need to spend more time addressing these issues.

I am troubled by the fact that many people do not clarify matters. They buy the wrong expansion screws, or they take driving tests without understanding the fundamentals! You must clarify what you do not understand. Speaking without understanding is dangerous.

Recently, I suddenly understood something profound. Jesus said: “But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:37. I had not fully grasped the meaning of these words before, but now I understand. I often ask my employees, What happened here? and they give me a nonsensical explanation. They may be able to deceive their bosses, but they cannot deceive me! When I ask them to explain further, they start rolling their eyes. Because they are lying, they cannot justify their story. The reason why we are troubled by the devil is that we are ambiguous and cannot clarify things when we encounter them.

Getting Things Clear

We must cultivate the habit of clarifying everything we encounter. Yesterday, I encountered a situation where one of our sisters took a screwdriver bit, intending to drill a hole in wood. She asked me, Should I use gear one or gear two? I was speechless for a moment because her issue wasn't about gear one or gear two; it was about using the correct bit. Drill bits for wood and walls are different, significantly so. This sister, with a drill bit for walls, asked me whether to use gear one or two. Previously, a brother used the wrong bit and damaged the wall. Wall drill bits hammer directly in, while wood drill bits cut with a blade. The difference is obvious to the naked eye and becomes clear with a simple test.

I've noticed many people lack a grasp of basic concepts. For example, they don't understand electric drills, expansion screws, or the difference between drill bits and screwdriver bits. We must cultivate the habit of clarifying things.

Even if they've used expansion screws before, they're still confused the next time because they haven't grasped the underlying principle. They can't distinguish between those for metal and those for wood because people tend to just do things blindly. It's good enough if they don't mess things up.

Pastoring is similar. We may be pastoring without clear understanding, and God has mercy on us, and He still helps them grow but it is our responsibility to be clear on what we are doing. After all these years, we may not be good at driving, or using electric drills well, but our shepherding is not too bad. Still, we should develop the habit of not just muddling through.

When I was installing the countertop using expansion screws, I had to fix four screws into the wall. I tightened the top two and asked them to tighten the bottom two. Afterward, I inspected it and found them almost untightened, because the bolt and nut just spun together. I took a deep breath, severely dealt with my flesh, and quickly said, It's okay, it's okay. Screws not tightened well, pastoring not done well, it's okay. I still have to see their growth. People also tell us, Haven't you seen our growth? I said, I have, I have, but still had to take a breath, forcefully suppressing the anger within.

I thought, why can't such a simple thing be understood? It's not the first time she's done this. Why is she confused again today? Sometimes she understands, sometimes she doesn't. It's infuriating. It's like a student I taught who seemed to understand after explaining something 20 times, but then forgot it five minutes later. What to do? I believe there will be an answer to this in the future. I enjoy studying these things, and one day we'll master them all.

So, today I have a strong feeling that we shouldn't speak carelessly. Yes means yes, and no means no. To understand is to understand, and not to understand is not to understand. It becomes chaotic when misunderstanding is taken as understanding, and understanding as misunderstanding. As the ancients said, To know when you know, and to know when you do not know, that is knowledge. If you know but act as if you don't, and don't know but act as if you do, it becomes a complete mess. It's troublesome when people don't know that they don't know. Once they realize their ignorance, it's easy to fix; just clarify what they don't know.

Therefore, I earnestly advise everyone to clarify things. Without that, how can we have the image of God? God does everything clearly and distinctly, never vaguely, obscurely, or ambiguously. God does everything distinctly, each according to its kind.

Then, a brother put a hole saw in a bucket, the same bucket as the paint bucket; also, the drawer runners, after sawing off a section, became one piece, and he couldn't find it later. I comforted them, saying the goblin must have taken it. As people work, their minds become muddled, things scattered left and right. People need training. But with our kind of training, we can clarify everything we do, even if we only understand 10%, it's better than not understanding at all. 20% is better than 10%, 50% is better than 20%, 80% is better than 50%.

Conclusion

One day, you will truly see through everything with spiritual eyes and clarify all things. You will not only have fewer problems yourself, but you will also be able to solve many people's problems and become a blessing to many, all because of understanding. And to understand, one must think.

Many people mess around blindly. If you come to me for answers again in the future, I don't think I will give you the answer; figure it out yourself. For example, what exactly can a hospital do? If you understand the term hospital, how much confidence would you have in it? What is taking medicine all about? Don't ask me to tell you, because even if I did, it wouldn't help. If someone asks me, Can I take medicine when I'm sick? I will tell you, Take it if you want, don't take it if you don't want to. If you want a definite answer, then clarify the matter of illness. If someone asks me, Can I buy this house? I will similarly tell you, Buy it if you want, don't buy it if you don't want to. If you get trapped in the future, it's because you didn't understand. The same goes for stocks.

If you think about it and then come to me with specific questions, I will definitely tell you. If today you just rigidly come to me for an answer, without thinking for yourself, without taking responsibility, I am not as willing to tell you. No matter what, you must clarify things, and in the end, you will surely benefit.