提要
拜偶像的是崇拜偶像的人。這種人，以行動否認以色列人信仰宣告的根基：「哦，以色列，你要聽，主我們的上帝，是獨一的主。」聖經，特別是舊約，寫於多神崇拜的世界──它的信息是有力，且令人不快的：只有一位上帝，你該事奉的只有祂。當時的偶像崇拜者，即使在知識上同意聖經的教訓，卻同時「拜」了其他的「神」。他的忠誠是分裂的。
近來，我們常聽到犯罪的人，宣稱自己是受到「強制性的行為」所驅使。心理學家也回溯一個人過去的歷史，把一個人有意的惡行，歸咎於童年時受的責備、沮喪，或其他負面影響，致使他在性格上有某些扭曲。這就像是認定他過去的種種因素，造成今日的結果。
往深處推想，遺傳和環境固然能影響我們的生活現狀。不過，聖經卻清楚堅持，無論受驅使與否，你我必須為自己所選擇的行為負責。
假如不道德、不純淨或貪婪等污染了我們的生活，我們就是在生活中拜了假神。我們可以把許多行為指為犯罪，但由上帝的觀點來看，人的罪只有一個方向，那就是不拜真神上帝而拜具體或抽象的假神。如果我們一定要拜別的神，上帝也會任憑我們。
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Overview
An idolater is a worshipper of idols. He is someone who by his action denies the great foundational statement of faith from Israel, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One." The Bible, especially the Old Testament, was written in a world that worshipped a multitude of gods — its message was radical and offensive: there is one God alone, and only Him shall you serve. The contemporary idolater, however, though he may agree intellectually with the Bible's message, chooses at the same time to "worship" other "gods." His loyalties are divided.
These days, we hear sinful choices referred to as "compulsive .behaviour." The psychologists look back into a person's history and blame neurotic behaviour on childhood sexual abuse, deprivation, or any other negative influence which caused some kind of twist in character. We cast the compulsive sinner as victim. It's as thougrf-his history has determined his destiny.
I suppose, to a certain extent, it's true that heredity and environment have a great deal to do with how our lives are shaped. Nevertheless, the Bible is very clear in its insistence that ultimately you and I are responsible for our choices, whether compulsive or not.
If immorality, impurity, or greediness consistently colour our living, we are setting up false gods in our lives. We can point the finger of blame anywhere we want, but from God's perspective there's only one direction to point when apportioning blame. If we insist on worshipping other gods, God will abandon us to their care.
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Prayer
O God, from reading this chapter there is a burning desire within us to walk as children of light, be filled with the Spirit, and submit to one another in the fear of Your Person. We thank You always, Father, for all things in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
