行事高傲往往會招致羞辱，這是某個挪威男子的親身經歷。這傢伙甚至沒穿上跑步的運動服，就狂妄地向卡斯滕．瓦霍爾姆（Karsten Warholm）下戰書，要和這位400公尺跨欄世界紀錄保持者一較高下。當時，瓦霍爾姆在一座室內體育館進行訓練，他接受了挑戰並且一路遙遙領先。到了終點線，這位挑戰者堅稱自己起跑不順，要求再比一次，而兩次世界冠軍得主瓦霍爾姆只是一笑置之。

箴言29章23節說：「人的高傲使自己蒙羞；心裡謙遜的，必得尊榮」（和合本修訂版）。上帝會對付人的驕傲，這是所羅門在箴言中經常提到的主題之一（11章2節，16章18節，18章12節）。在這些經文中，驕傲的意思是「膨脹」或「自負」，意即將本屬於上帝的榮耀歸給自己。當我們心裡充滿驕傲，就會自視過高。耶穌說：「凡自高的，必降為卑；自卑的，必升為高」（馬太福音23章12節）。耶穌與所羅門都教導我們，要追求謙卑和謙遜。這並不是假謙卑，而是中肯地看待自己，承認自己擁有的一切都來自上帝。這是有智慧的作法，而不是「急躁」地說一些傲慢的話（箴言29章20節）。

讓我們懇求上帝賜給你我智慧和謙卑的心，好讓我們能榮耀祂，以免使自己蒙羞受辱。

Pride precedes and often leads to humiliation—something a man in Norway found out. Not even dressed in running clothes, the individual arrogantly challenged Karsten Warholm—the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles—to a race. Warholm, training in an indoor public facility, obliged the challenger and left him in his dust. At the finish line, the two-time world champion smiled when the man insisted that he’d had a bad start and wanted to race again!

In Proverbs 29:23 we read, “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” God’s dealings with the proud is one of Solomon’s favorite themes in the book (11:2; 16:18; 18:12). The word pride or haughty in these verses means “swelling” or “puffed up”—taking credit for what rightfully belongs to God. When we’re filled with pride, we think more highly of ourselves than we should. Jesus once said, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). Both He and Solomon direct us to pursue humility and lowliness. This isn’t false modesty, but rightsizing oneself and acknowledging that all that we have comes from God. It’s being wise and not saying things arrogantly “in haste” (Proverbs 29:20).   

Let’s ask God to give us the heart and wisdom to humble ourselves to honor Him and avoid humiliation.