你曾否覺得自己像個冒牌貨？其實很多人都有這種感受！在1970年代末期，兩名研究人員發現「冒牌者症候群」（imposter syndrome）這種心理現象，它會讓人懷疑自己的技能、才華或能力，覺得自己名不副實，像是個冒牌貨。即使是成功和傑出的人也會覺得自己「不夠好」，擔心若有人真正瞭解他們，就會發現他們其實還有很多事都不懂。

保羅勸勉第一世紀羅馬教會的眾信徒要謙卑：「不要看自己過於所當看的；要⋯⋯看得合乎中道」（羅馬書12章3節）。我們都明白不可自高自大的重要性，但當我們懷疑自身的能力，就走向另一個極端，甚至不敢發揮上帝賦予我們的恩賜去服事祂。將自己「看得合乎中道」（3節），是指我們要根據實際情況，合理地評估自己的能力。保羅鼓勵我們要克服猶豫不決的心態，「照著上帝所分給各人信心的大小」（3節），坦然接納自己。如此一來，基督的身體就能被建立起來（4-8節）。

與其因害怕作個「冒牌貨」而貶低自己的能力，不如欣然接受上帝賦予我們的恩賜。當我們懷著感恩的心領受祂的恩典，就不會自高自大或自我貶低。這樣一來，我們就能討天父的喜悅，也能建立起基督的身體（也就是教會）。

Do you ever feel like a fraud? You aren’t alone! In the late 1970s, two researchers identified “imposter syndrome” as the condition of doubting one’s skills, talents, or abilities and interpreting oneself as a fraud. Even successful and brilliant people struggle with inadequacy, worrying that if anyone peeked behind the curtain of their lives, they’d see how much they don’t know.

Paul exhorts the people of the first-century church in Rome to be humble: “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3). We understand the importance of not elevating our abilities. But when we doubt our own value, we go too far, robbing others of the gifts God wants us to use to serve Him. To think of ourselves with “sober judgment” (v. 3) is to have a sane estimation—a realistic regard—for what we offer. Paul nudges us to overcome our hesitancies, to embrace who we are “in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of [us]” (v. 3). In this way, God’s body of believers may be built up (vv. 4-8).

Rather than degrading our offerings with imposter syndrome, let’s embrace God’s giftings within us. By gratefully accepting His grace, we can think neither too highly nor too lowly of ourselves. In doing so, we please our Father and build up Christ’s body of believers.