(箴言 14:16)
“智慧人懼怕，就遠離惡事．愚妄人卻狂傲自恃。”
這節經文深刻地揭示了兩種截然不同的生命根基與選擇。
智慧人懼怕，並非指他們膽小懦弱，而是他們心中存着對神的「敬畏」。這種敬畏感促使他們將生命的重心完全交託給神。當智慧人察覺惡事或誘惑出現時，因為明白神的心意，便會果斷地轉身，尋找另一條正確的路，絕不讓自己陷入罪的陷阱。對他們而言，神的主權高於一切。
相反，愚妄人的生命狀態是狂傲且自恃的。在希伯來原意中，這體現了一種無法控制自我的衝動與魯莽。愚妄人的安全感與信靠完全建立在「自己」身上，他們自以為是，認為別人會出事的事情，自己必定能安然度過。這種盲目的自信，讓他們在面對危險與惡事時，不但不迴避，反而橫衝直撞，最終墮入陷阱。
以日常生活中常見的誘惑為例，面對有害身體和心靈的吸煙，智慧人會因為敬畏神而拒絕嘗試；而愚妄人則會自滿地認為自己不會上癮、不會出事，隨意挑戰邊界。
我們應當反思，在生命遇到抉擇或挑戰時，我們所信靠的究竟是那唯一的真神，還是那個不可靠的自我？
(Proverbs 14:16)
“A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.”
This verse profoundly reveals two starkly different foundations and choices in life.
The fear mentioned regarding the wise does not refer to cowardice or weakness, but rather a deep reverence for God held within their hearts. This sense of awe compels them to fully entrust the center of their lives to Him. When a wise person perceives evil or temptation, their understanding of God’s will leads them to decisively turn away and seek a righteous path, never allowing themselves to fall into the trap of sin. For them, God’s sovereignty stands above all else.
In contrast, the state of the fool’s life is one of arrogance and self-reliance. In the original Hebrew, this reflects an uncontrollable impulse and recklessness. A fool’s sense of security and trust is built entirely upon themselves. They are self-opinionated, believing that while others may meet with disaster, they will certainly pass through safely. This blind self-confidence causes them to not only fail to avoid danger and evil, but to charge headlong into them, ultimately falling into a trap.
Take common daily temptations as an example, such as smoking, which is harmful to both body and soul. A wise person will refuse to try it out of reverence for God. A fool, however, will complacently believe they will not become addicted or face consequences, carelessly challenging the boundaries.
We should reflect on whether our trust, when facing life’s decisions or challenges, is placed in the only true God or in the unreliable self.
