1. Hello, listening friends.
亲爱的朋友，你好，
2. We are delighted that you have tuned in to this broadcast
我们很高兴你能收听这个节目。
3. and we have been studying the life of Moses,
我们一直在研读摩西的生平，
4. and we’re learning how to be a hero for God.
我们也在学习，如何成为属于神的英雄。
5. I want to begin by pointing to something that is very common in our world today.
让我首先指出，今天这个世界的一个普遍的现象。
6. In our modern culture, image is everything.
在现代文明里，形象超越一切。
7. We pay more attention to what people think of us than what God thinks of us.
我们对于别人对我们的看法，比神对我们的看法更加在意。
8. Today, I want you to see how concern of one’s own image can get you into deep trouble.
今天我们要来看看，过份注重自我的形象，会带来多么大的麻烦。
9. What do I mean by image?
我所谓的形象是指什么而言？
10. Image is our veneer.
形象就是我们的样貌；
11. Image is the good impression and the outward appearance.
形象就是美好的印象，和我们的外表；
12. Image is style over substance.
形象注重风格过于注重实质。
13. Obsession with image can cause us to make poor choices.
过分追求形象，使我们不能做出正确的抉择；
14. In contrast, those who are not worried about pleasing people --
相反的，那些不刻意要讨好别人的人，
15. they do the right thing the right way for the right reason.
他们却可以为了正确的理由，以正确的方法，做正确的事。
16. When Aaron, Moses’ brother, was thrust into a place of responsibility,
当摩西的哥哥亚伦受托，担起重要的职责时，
17. his integrity was found wanting.
他的品格有了缺陷，
18. His preoccupation with his image overwhelmed his deep convictions.
他对自己形象的奢求，超越了他对神的信念。
19. All of us face daily pressures to compromise.
我们每天都要面对妥协的压力，
20. When you read Exodus 32, you see how Aaron gave in to the pressure.
当你读出埃及记32章时，你就会看见亚伦屈服在这种压力下。
21. You’ll understand the factors that led to his compromise.
你会理解是什么因素导致他的妥协，
22. The temptation to give in to pressures is a daily confrontation for all of us
我们每天都要面对这样的试探，就是在压力下屈服。
23. and there are three factors that played an important role in leading believers to compromise.
有三个很重要的因素导致基督徒妥协的：
24. First,
第一，
25. the desire to be liked will lead you to compromise.
想要讨好别人的欲望，会导致你妥协。
26. Second,
第二，
27. the use of clever tactics will not prevent you from compromise.
使用狡计，不能阻止你妥协。
28. Thirdly,
第三，
29. making excuses will not absolve you from the consequences of compromise.
寻找借口，不能开脱你为妥协的后果所要负的责任。
30. The first of these factors is the desire to be liked.
第一个因素就是，想要讨好人的欲望。
31. Let me tell you that this desire is very common
让我告诉你，这种欲望是很普遍的，
32. and it is stronger in some than others.
但在有些人身上比较强烈。
33. Someone once said,
有一个人曾说过：
34. “If you set out to be liked,
如果你一心一意要取悦别人，
35. you would be prone to compromise on anything at any time,
那么，你在任何时候，任何事上，都会妥协，
36. and you would achieve nothing.”
但你却一事无成。
37. Here in Exodus 32,
在出埃及记32章这里，
38. we find an utter mutiny against Yahweh,
我们看见，对耶和华公然的叛变，
39. but Aaron was not the man to stand against the pressures of the world.
然而亚伦却没有挺身而出，抗拒世界的压力，
40. Aaron was not the man who would put an end to the mutiny.
亚伦没有出面拦阻这场叛变，
41. Instead, he fanned the flames of compromise.
他反而推波助澜地妥协了。
42. Wanting to be liked and accepted will always lead to compromise.
渴望获得别人的好感和接纳，促使我们妥协。
43. The parents who give their children everything because they want to be liked by their children --
为了讨孩子的欢心，而对他们有求必应的父母，
44. they are ruining their children.
反而会害了孩子。
45. The wife who sees her husband doing the wrong thing and never speaks the truth
做妻子的明明看见丈夫做错事，却默不作声，
46. because she wants to be liked by him.
只因为要讨好他。
47. It’s causing damage to both of them.
那是得不偿失的。
48. The husband, who would not lovingly lead his wife out of bad habits
一个做丈夫的，不能以爱心劝导他的妻子放弃某种坏习惯，
49. out of fear that she may not like him
只因为害怕妻子不再爱他，
50. is sinning against both of them.
其实双方都犯了罪。
51. Friends, who keep quiet when they see friends doing the wrong things
身为朋友的，眼看着朋友做错事，却保持缄默，
52. just to be accepted by their friends,
只为了要保持朋友关系，
53. they are sinning against their friends.
其实是得罪了朋友。
54. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it;
不论是谁犯错，错就是错。
55. and encouraging the wrong, or being silent in the face of the wrong just to be liked, is wrong.
怂恿人去做错事，或为了讨好人而对错误保持缄默，都是不对的。
56. First, watch out for the overwhelming desire to be liked.
当你一心一意想要讨好人时，首先就要谨慎。
57. Secondly, use of clever tactics will not prevent the flood of compromise.
第二，使用狡计，不能阻止妥协的狂潮。
58. Aaron tried to be clever.
亚伦自作聪明。
59. Look at verse 2 of Exodus 32.
请看出埃及记32章第2节。
60. Aaron tried to use his own wisdom instead of God’s wisdom.
亚伦没有照神的智慧而行，却运用自己的聪明；
61. Aaron tried to appeal to people’s materialistic side, instead of the fear of the Lord;
亚伦不求敬畏神，而是诉求于人们对物质的看重。
62. so, Aaron asked the people of God to give up their gold and silver to make them the idol that they wanted.
因此亚伦叫神的百姓拿出金银来，造一个他们想要的偶像。
63. Aaron thought that, if he hits them in their pocketbooks, they would change their minds.
亚伦以为，叫他们掏腰包，可能使他们改变主意。
64. Aaron thought that, if he requires them to give up their material possession, that they would retreat from their desire to worship idols;
亚伦以为，当他要求他们拿出所拥有的物质时，他们可能会收回崇拜偶像的欲望。
65. but that clever, worldly wisdom backfired on Aaron;
但这种自以为聪明，属世的方法，却使亚伦自食恶果。
66. so, my listening friends, be careful in using human wisdom when you are facing temptation.
亲爱的朋友，当你遇见试探时，要谨慎，不要使用人为的聪明，
67. Be careful in trying to be clever with the devil.
小心！不要跟魔鬼玩手段，
68. You are no match for him.
你根本不是牠的对手。
69. Be careful in trying to use your worldly wisdom to deal with your weaknesses.
小心！不要使用世俗的聪明，来对付你自己的弱点，
70. You will fail all the time.
你一定会完全失败的。
71. Spiritual battles have to be fought and won with spiritual weapons.
属灵的战争，必须用属灵的武器才能制胜。
72. Aaron thought that the people would never part with their material possessions.
亚伦以为，人们绝不会放弃他们所拥有的物质，
73. He did not understand that people, by nature, are willing to spend their fortune on their pleasures.
他不了解，其实人的天性就是愿意花钱买享乐；
74. He did not understand that people, by nature, are willing to give up all they have to fulfill their desires.
他不了解，其实人的天性就是愿意放弃所有的，来满足自己的欲望。
75. When the people of God put their jewels at his feet, Aaron found that he was a victim of his own clever snare.
当神的百姓把首饰放在亚伦的脚前时，他才知道掉进自己的网罗里了。
76. Now, he is compelled to make them a molten calf like the ancient Egyptian god, Apis;
现在他逼不得已，必须为他们铸造一只金牛，就像埃及的牛神阿比斯一样。
77. and, when the people saw the golden calf, they were delighted.
当百姓看见这只金牛时非常高兴，
78. They said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”
他们说，以色列啊，这是领你出埃及地的神。
79. Let me stop here to tell you that the people of God’s intention was not to repudiate Yahweh.
现在让我告诉你，神的百姓并不是要跟耶和华断绝关系，
80. All they wanted to do was worship Him under the name of Apis.
而是他们想用阿比斯这个名字来敬拜。
81. What are they doing?
他们到底想做什么？
82. They wanted to worship God on their own terms.
他们要以自己的条件来敬拜神；
83. All they wanted to do was create a god in their own image.
他们就是想按照自己的形象造一个神；
84. All they wanted to do was to have God become understanding of their lust and greed.
他们就是想有一个神，能明了他们的欲望和贪婪。
85. Isn’t this just like our generation?
这不正像我们现今的世代吗？
86. They want to think of God as sitting up in Heaven saying to us, “Whatever you want is fine by Me.”
他们心目中的神，坐在天上对我们说，你们可以从心所欲，我无所谓的。
87. Remember, by now in Exodus 20, God had already given them the Ten Commandments
要记住，这个时候，神已经在出埃及记20章那里颁布了十诫。
88. and within these Ten Commandments was a clear command, “Thou shalt not make a carven image of Yahweh...”
十诫里有很清楚的诫命说，不可为耶和华雕刻偶像。
89. but, despite God’s instructions, the people gave in to compromise.
但百姓完全不顾神的指示，他们妥协了。
90. In the same way, many Christians today accept compromise between their faith and the world’s view.
同样的，今天有许多基督徒在信仰上跟世俗的观点妥协，
91. This causes them to adopt corrupted ways of thinking
导致他们接受了败坏的思想。
92. and, often, they call compromise “living and let live”.
于是他们常说，妥协就是为生存而活。
93. They often say, “God understands our difficulties.
他们常说，神理解我们的困难，
94. God will always have mercy on us.”
神永远对我们有恩慈。
95. Be careful, my listening friends, when you presume on the mercy of God
亲爱的朋友，当你对神的恩典自以为是时，要小心。
96. because, soon, you’ll become part of the world’s thinking.
因为你不知不觉，就会融入世界的思潮中。
97. The Spanish people have a saying that goes something like this:
西班牙有句俗语这么说：
98. “He who goes with the wolves learns to howl like the wolves.”
与狼共处，咆哮如狼。
99. Aaron, like many compromising Christians, knew that the golden calf was wrong,
就像许多妥协的基督徒一样，亚伦明知金牛是错误的，
100. but he told himself, “That just can’t be helped.”
但他自我安慰地说，我很无奈。
101. He convinced himself that, under the circumstances, it just couldn’t be avoided.
他说服自己说，情势比人强，无可避免。
102. I want you to notice verses 21 and 22.
请注意21-22节，
103. When Aaron is confronted by Moses,
当摩西质问亚伦时，
104. he never denies the wrong.
他没有否认这是不对的，
105. He merely explained it away.
他只是在自圆其说。
106. My listening friend, please listen carefully to what I’m going to tell you.
亲爱的朋友，请你留心听我说。
107. No one can ever force you to compromise.
别人不能逼你妥协，
108. You compromise because you choose to compromise.
是你自己选择要妥协的。
109. Write this on your heart.
请你牢牢记在心里，
110. You compromise because you choose to compromise.
是你自己选择要妥协的。
111. Let’s look at those points again.
让我们再来看看这几个重点，
112. The first factor that leads to compromise is the overwhelming desire to be liked.
第一个导致妥协的因素就是，极力想要讨好别人的欲望。
113. The second factor is that clever tactics will not prevent compromise.
第二，使用狡计不能阻止你妥协。
114. Finally, making excuses will not absolve you from the consequences of compromise.
最后，寻找借口，不能开脱你为妥协的后果所要负的责任。
115. There are some Christians who think that, because Jesus saved us from our sins
有些基督徒以为，既然耶稣拯救我们脱离罪恶，
116. and the consequences of sin,
以及罪的恶果，
117. that we can sin to our heart’s content without consequences
那么，我们就可以随心所欲的犯罪，而不用承担任何后果。
118. and, yet, there are other Christians who rationalize their compromising lifestyle.
还有一些基督徒则认为，他们妥协的生活方式情有可原。
119. They say, “This is the way God made me.
他们说，是神把我造成这样的，
120. These are the circumstances in which God placed me.
也是神把我放在这样的环境里的。
121. My listening friend, please listen carefully.
亲爱的朋友，请注意。
122. This was Aaron’s reaction when he was confronted by Moses.
当摩西质问亚伦时，这就是他的反应，
123. Aaron’s reaction is a classic example of our own tendency toward self-deception and dishonesty.
亚伦的反应是一种典型，代表我们常常自欺欺人。
124. Look at verse 21.
请看第21节，
125. Moses said to Aaron,
摩西对亚伦说，
126. “What did these people do to you that you led them into such great sin?”
这百姓向你做了什么？你竟使他们陷在大罪里。
127. See Aaron’s response in verse 22.
请看22节亚伦的回答，
128. “Do not be angry, my Lord. You know how prone these people are to evil….”
求我主不要发烈怒，这百姓专于作恶，是你知道的。
129. then, Aaron continues in verse 24,
24节亚伦继续说，
130. “I took their gold and silver and I threw them in the fire, and out came this calf.”
我把金环扔在火中，这牛犊便出来了。
131. If this was not sad, it would have been humorous.
真是令人啼笑皆非，
132. “…out came the calf,” Aaron said.
亚伦说，这牛犊便出来了。
133. Someone once said.
有人说过，
134. this is a classic example of a guilty man with his back against the wall.
这是犯罪的人走投无路的典型例子。
135. Adam tried to put the blame on Eve
亚当责怪夏娃，
136. and Eve tried to pass the blame on Satan,
夏娃责怪撒但，
137. but the consequences were the forfeiting of paradise.
结果他们都被逐出了伊甸园。
138. On the other hand, David repented and God forgave him;
但另一方面，大卫诚心悔改，神赦免了他，
139. but the consequences remained.
然而罪的后果还在。
140. Listen to me very carefully as I conclude, my listening friend.
我亲爱的朋友，在结束的时候，请留心听。
141. Consequences are like scars. They often last a lifetime.
罪的后果就像个伤疤，可能终身都不会磨灭，
142. Aaron probably thought worshipping Apis would not matter in the long run,
可能亚伦认为，拜阿比斯神像没什么大不了，
143. but God was not amused.
但神却是轻慢不得的。
144. Instead, He wanted to destroy all of them and start all over.
神原本要把他们全部除灭，重新再来，
145. It was Moses’ intercession and willingness to die for his people that made God spare them,
因为摩西代他们求情，并表示愿意为百姓死，神才放过他们。
146. but the three thousand leaders of this mutiny were killed.
但在这场叛乱中带头的三千人都死了。
147. Don’t take the consequences of sin lightly.
不要轻看罪的后果，
148. They may come later, but they will always come.
即使暂时看不见，迟早会来临，
149. We can never escape the painful results of compromise.
我们永远逃不了，妥协所带来的苦果。
150. Today, you can repent of your compromise.
今天你可以为自己的妥协认罪，
151. Today, you can repent of having one foot in sin and one foot with Christ.
今天你可以为自己成为罪与基督之间的骑墙派悔改。
152. Today is the acceptable time.
今天是你被接纳的日子，
153. Come to the Lord while He may be found
当祂可寻找时，快来归向主。
154. and, until next time, I wish you God’s richest blessing.
愿神大大地赐福给你，我们下次节目再会。
