People naturally want to feel respected and valued, which forms the basis for their self-esteem. Pride is a common feeling that makes individuals want to show off their accomplishments and contributions in life. Not surprisingly, the Bible contains numerous references to the word “pride”. Often, we ignore such references, discarding their meaning as something not applicable to us. However, let's take a closer look at it.
你若愚昧﹐高抬自己﹐或是心存惡意﹐就得用手摀口。( 箴言 30:32 )
因為他使住高處的﹑高不可扳的都市﹑降低﹐使它敗落﹐敗落到平地﹐使它化為塵土。( 以賽亞書 26:5 )
好叫人轉離惡行﹐又好割掉【傳統：遮掩】人的驕傲；( 約伯記 33:17 )
In our daily lives, we distinguish between two types of pride: a negative one, expressed in phrases like “this person was too proud to help,” and a positive one, conveyed in phrases like “Good job, I’m so proud of you!” The latter expression is pervasive in family life, where parents seek to motivate their children to persevere, progress, and develop into respected individuals. Regardless of whether we express praise or condemnation, both types of pride share a common foundation. Let's take a look at the most common definitions of pride:
- A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired
- Consciousness of one's own dignity.
Both definitions above share a common foundation around self-centric qualities. "Pride" reflects self-abilities or self-accomplishments as opposed to reliance on others' help.
傲慢只能啟爭競；接受勸告的乃有智慧。( 箴言 13:10 )
As we can see, that self-centered pride is heavily condemned in the Bible repeatedly. Here are just a few examples:
他們在那裡因壞人的狂傲而哀叫﹐卻沒有答應的。( 約伯記 35:12 )
對謙卑的人民﹑你施拯救；對高傲的人﹑你的眼使他降低【或譯：高傲的眼目﹑你使它降低】。( 撒母耳記下 22:28 )
永恆主雖高﹐仍垂看著卑微的人；至於驕傲的人﹑他卻從遠處就認出來。( 詩篇 138:6 )
Before we can make any conclusion, let's take a look at the Bible story of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, who became proud of the results of the work he did.
王應時說：「這豈不是大巴比倫﹐我用我財力的權勢所建築﹑做王家宮殿﹐要顯示我威嚴之光榮的麼？」( 但以理書 4:30 )
While most of us aren't kings, and our achievements may not be grandiose, we often say or think, "I built this house with my own hands," or "I created such a great company," or "I won this game over someone else," taking pride in our efforts. Isn't it fair to feel proud when we've invested so much effort into something crucial for us, be it securing a good job, fostering a strong family, or winning a race?
The author of the renowned biblical wisdom book, "Ecclesiastes," recognized that personal qualities and skills don't solely determine life events' outcomes.
我又看：在日光之下﹑賽跑未必給輕快的先跑到﹐戰爭未必給勇士得勝利﹐糧食也未必給智慧人得著﹐財富未必給明達人賺得到﹐恩寵也未必給有知識的人博得著：他們所踫到的就只是定時與機會。( 傳道書 9:11 )
It appears that success isn't guaranteed for those who invest significant effort in work, training, or practice. If we fast forward into New Testament times, Jesus asserts that nothing escapes God's attention, regardless of the event's perceived importance or insignificance:
兩隻麻雀【或譯：小鳥】不是賣『一日工錢』的十分之一【希臘文：阿撒利翁】麼？然而沒有一隻能在你們的父以外掉在地上的。( 馬太福音 10:29 )
Let's return to Nebuchadnezzar and examine what transpired after he voiced his prideful words about his accomplishments:
這話在王口中﹐還未說完﹐就有聲音從天上傳下來﹐說：「尼布甲尼撒王阿﹐有神言是對你說的：國權已經離開了你了。 你必被趕逐離開人類﹐你的住處必同山野的走獸在一起；你必受迫而喫草如牛﹐經過七個時期﹐等到你承認至高者在人國中掌權﹐他喜歡將國賜給誰﹐就賜給誰。」( 但以理書 4:31-32 )
In an instant, King Nebuchadnezzar lost everything he had taken pride in, facing challenging times, just as foretold. The king lost his throne, pride, and dignity, a necessary experience for understanding and learning the lesson. After a while, Nebuchadnezzar came to realize who was truly behind all his achievements:
「日子過後﹐我尼布甲尼撒舉目望天﹐我的悟牲恢復過來﹐我便祝頌那至高者﹐稱頌那活到永遠的上帝﹐而歸榮耀於他：因為他的權柄是永遠的權柄﹐他的國度代代長存。 現在我﹐尼布甲尼撒﹑稱頌﹑尊崇﹑歸榮耀於天上的王﹐因為他所作的全都對﹐他所行的也都公平；他能把行為驕傲的降為卑微。」( 但以理書 4:34-35,37 )
In the end, Nebuchadnezzar learned a valuable lesson about pride. Can we, too, learn this lesson the easier way, by reflecting on Nebuchadnezzar's story?
Does that story imply that our achievements aren't genuinely ours? What can we accomplish entirely on our own? A verse from the Gospel of John, quoting Jesus, provides the answer below. Notice that Jesus repeats the same words, subtly rephrasing them to underscore their significance.
你們要住在我裡面﹐我就住在你們裡面。正如枝子﹑若不連【同字：住】在葡萄樹上﹐憑著自己是不能結果子；你們若不住在我裡面﹐也是這樣。( 約翰福音 15:4 )
我是葡萄樹﹐你們是枝子。住在我裡面﹑而我住在他裡面的﹑這種人纔能多結果子；因為離了我﹑你們就不能作甚麼。( 約翰福音 15:5 )
It is God who empowers us, enabling us to succeed in games or secure good jobs. God is the source of creative ideas when tackling complex problems and provides strength to persevere and complete what we've started. Recognizing these aspects reveals the true nature of God and His role in our lives, bringing us closer to Him.
你要全心仰賴永恆主﹐不可依靠自己的聰明； 在你一切所行的路上﹑你都要認定他﹐他就使你的路徑平直。( 箴言 3:5-6 )
應當一無罣慮﹐只要凡事藉著禱告和祈求﹑用感謝心將你們所求的稟知在上帝面前﹐( 腓立比書 4:6 )
所以你們或吃或喝﹐或作甚麼事﹐都要為上帝的榮耀而作。( 哥林多前書 10:31 )
Let's acknowledge our limitations and find comfort in understanding that relying on Jesus brings peace of mind, supporting us through challenges and guiding us in managing feelings of pride and dignity.