在一些圣经译本中，这段话告诉我们不要“像异教徒那样生活”。“异教徒”这个词可能会让你联想到原始部落，那里有偶像、各种迷信和过时的宗教仪式。但保罗不这么认为。在这段经文中，“异教徒”或“外邦人”是指那些陷入与贪婪有关的空想和无节制行为中的人。这些人所拜的主要是他们自己心中的偶像。
这个问题很微妙，它隐藏在现代人的各种期望和表象背后。与贪婪有关的行为包括自满，想出风头，追求物质享受、知名度、时尚、自由等等。而所有这些都是偶像。
以色列人进入迦南地时，神警告他们不要模仿周边民族的异教行为（申命记 8:17-20）。耶稣为祂的门徒祷告，祂知道他们在世上，却“不属世界”（约翰福音 17:16）。在以弗所书中，保罗再次提醒我们，主呼召我们跟随祂，摒弃旧有的异教风俗。
今天有哪些类型的偶像在你心里呼唤？你周围的社区——学校、教会或家庭——如何帮助你为耶稣的缘故过有分别的生活呢？
亲爱的主，感谢你呼召我们与你一同进入新生命。请保护我们远离心中的偶像。帮助我们成为你忠实的跟随者。阿们。
以弗所书 4:17-19
17所以我说，且在主里确实地说：你们行事不要再像外邦人，存虚妄的心行事。
18他们心地昏昧，与神所赐的生命隔绝了，都因自己无知，心里刚硬；
19良心既然丧尽，就放纵私欲，贪行种种的污秽。
"I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking." - Ephesians 4:17
In some translations of the Bible, this passage tells us not to live “as the pagans do.” That term “pagans” might make you think of primitive tribes, with idols and all sorts of superstitions and outdated religious rites. But Paul thinks differently. In this passage, “pagans,” or “Gentiles,” are people who get stuck in idle thoughts and unrestrained behaviors associated with greed. The idols of these people are mainly in their own hearts.
This problem is subtle; it hides behind all sorts of modern-day expectations and appearances. The behaviors associated with greed are complacency, the need to be in the limelight, material comforts, popularity, fashion, freedom, and more. And all of these are idols.
When Israel entered the land of Canaan, God warned them not to imitate the neighboring peoples in their pagan behaviors (Deuteronomy 8:17-20). And Jesus prayed for his disciples, knowing they were still in the world but “not of the world” (John 17:16). In Ephesians, Paul reminds us again that the Lord calls us to follow him and to leave our old, pagan ways behind.
What types of idols call out to your heart today? How can the community around you—your school, church, or family—help you to live a different life for Jesus?
Dear Lord, thank you for calling us into new life with you. Please protect us from the idols of our hearts. Help us to be your faithful followers. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
