不要心存僥倖、不要認為一次而已沒有關係（箴6章）

人若懷裏搋火、衣服豈能不燒呢？人若在火炭上走、腳豈能不燙呢？（箴 6：27-28）

人會犯罪，除了可能不知這是罪之外，絕大多數的人犯罪，都是因為心存僥倖。「不會這麼衰吧？應該不會一次就被發現。」所以闖紅燈、超速的人，並非不知道這是違反交通規則的，而常常是心存「僥倖」的心理。

像箴言此章第27-28節，「懷裡搋火」，就是指在衣服裡玩火，當然很小心的情況下，有可能真的不會有事。但是為何要做這樣危險的事呢？「在火炭上走」，如果用一些特別的技巧、加上特別小心，或許有可能不會燙傷，但是沒事為何要冒這樣會燙傷的險？

於是本章提了世人常見的僥倖心態，認為「只要我小心一點，就不會有事了吧？」的想法，去冒不必要冒的險。如：1-5節提到的為鄰舍、陌生人做保證人。會需要保證人的事，表示受保證的這件事「有風險」，為何要為不太熟悉的人作保呢？難道不知道這有生命危險嗎？為人作保有什麼好處？想得到唯一的好處，就是在人面前展現我的愛心很大，想要沽名釣譽，或為某種利益而廣交朋友之類的。但是，這是有危險性的事，也不是必要的事，不要認為只要我小心一點就沒事了，然後去行險。

6-11節則是提到懶惰會遭遇的問題。懶惰的人，同樣是存僥倖的心態，因為認為「不會那麼衰吧？我才偷懶一次而已！」要知道，違背真理的事，一次都不可以行。任何該作的事，都要盡力做好，不能偷懶。對於神所愛的人，有時「才」偷懶一次，因為神愛的管教，我們就會有事。

12-19節提到習慣作惡的人，也是出於僥倖的心態。因為認為為非作歹，只要小心一點，不要被發現就好了。這裡告訴我們，作惡是神所憎惡的，所以必引起神的注意與憤恨，將毫無僥倖可言，因為神必審問。

20節以後，再次提到一個僥倖心態，就是「姦淫」、「偷親近別人的妻子」。在箴言第九章的地方，再次提到淫婦，並說接近淫婦的人，常有的心態，說：「偷來的水是甜的、暗喫的餅是好的。（箴 9：17）」，這是指不正常的性關係，心理學上，因為是偷偷摸摸得而來的，就有一種刺激的感覺。但是，存這樣的僥倖心態，有一天一定會東窗事發。一旦這樣的事被發現，後果將不堪設想。特別是與有夫之婦有不正常的性關係的這件事，對方的丈夫必不善罷干休。

因為人的嫉恨、成了烈怒．報仇的時候、決不留情。甚麼贖價、他都不顧．你雖送許多禮物、他也不肯干休。（箴 6：34-35）

另外，今天有許多主內青年，認為交往外邦異性朋友，最後只要有帶來信主做彌補就好了。然後交往期間，對於許多牧者大聲疾呼嫁娶外邦所發生的悲劇，總是心存僥倖的心理認為：「不會那麼巧，這樣的悲劇剛好發生在我的身上吧？」這也是僥倖的心理。

因此箴言在本章教導我們：愚昧的事、不合真理的事、無端冒險的事，不行就是不行。當知道，在神面前，沒有僥倖這回事，不會有人犯了罪完全不會受罰的。當認定在神面前沒有僥倖這回事，然後願意將每件事情，都按照真理做好。至於那些不合真理、沒必要冒的險，絕不去做。如此一來，在神面前，誠誠實實做個正直的人，這就是智慧的表現。

這些事都已聽見了．總意就是敬畏神、謹守他的誡命、這是人所當盡的本分。〔或作這是眾人的本分〕因為人所作的事、連一切隱藏的事、無論是善是惡、神都必審問。（傳 12：13-14）

By Isaiah Kao

Do Not Rely on Luck—Do Not Think “Just Once Is Fine” (Proverbs 6) 

“Can a man take fire in his bosom

And his clothes not be burned?

Or can a man walk on hot coals

And his feet not be scorched?” (Proverbs 6:27–28, NASB 2020)

People commit sin sometimes because they do not know that something is sin. But most of the time, people sin because they rely on luck. They think, “It probably won’t be that unlucky. I probably won’t be caught just this one time.” For example, people who run red lights or speed usually know that these actions break traffic rules. Yet they often do it because they hold a “lucky chance” mentality.

In this chapter of Proverbs, verses 27–28 speak of “taking fire in one’s bosom.” This means playing with fire inside one’s clothing. If a person is extremely careful, it might be possible that nothing happens. But why do such a dangerous thing at all?

Likewise, “walking on hot coals.” With certain techniques and great care, perhaps a person might avoid being burned. But why take such a risk when there is no need to do so?

This chapter therefore points out a common human attitude of luck: “As long as I am careful, nothing bad will happen.” Because of this thinking, people take risks that never needed to be taken.

Verses 1–5 speak about becoming a guarantor for a neighbor or even a stranger. If someone needs a guarantor, it means the matter itself already carries risk. Why should one guarantee for someone who is not very familiar? Do we not realize that this may even endanger our own life? What benefit is there in guaranteeing for someone?

Perhaps the only benefit is to show others how loving we are, or to gain a good reputation, or to build connections for personal advantage. But this is dangerous and unnecessary. We should not think, “If I am careful, it will be fine,” and then take such risks.

Verses 6–11 speak about the problems that laziness brings. A lazy person also holds a mentality of luck. He thinks, “It probably won’t be that bad. I only slack off this one time.”

But we must understand that anything that goes against the truth should not be done even once. Every duty we should do must be done with our best effort. We must not be lazy. For those whom God loves, sometimes even “just once” of laziness may bring consequences, because of God’s loving discipline.

Verses 12–19 speak about those who habitually do evil. This also comes from a lucky mentality. They think that as long as they are careful and not discovered, everything will be fine. But this passage tells us that doing evil is something God hates. Therefore it will surely attract God’s attention and anger. There will be no luck, because God will judge.

From verse 20 onward, the chapter again mentions another lucky mentality: adultery, or secretly approaching another man’s wife. Later in Proverbs chapter 9, the adulterous woman is mentioned again. It says that people who approach her often think:

“Stolen water is sweet;

And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” (Proverbs 9:17, NASB 2020)

This refers to improper sexual relationships. Psychologically, because it is secret and hidden, it brings a sense of excitement. But if someone keeps such a lucky mentality, one day the matter will surely be exposed. Once such a sin is discovered, the consequences will be unimaginable.

Especially when a person has an improper relationship with another man’s wife, the husband will not simply let the matter go.

“For jealousy enrages a man,

And he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

He will not accept any ransom,

Nor will he be satisfied though you give many gifts.” (Proverbs 6:34–35, NASB 2020)

Today, there are also many young believers who think that it is acceptable to date an unbelieving partner. They assume that as long as they eventually bring the person to believe in the Lord, everything will be compensated.

During such relationships, even though many peachers loudly warn about the tragedies that often result from marrying unbelievers, they still hold a lucky mentality and think, “It won’t be such a coincidence that this tragedy happens to me.” This is also a mentality of luck.

Therefore, Proverbs teaches us in this chapter: foolish things, things that go against the truth, and unnecessary risks— No simply means no. We must know that before God, there is no such thing as luck. No one can commit sin and completely escape punishment. When we firmly believe that there is no luck before God, we will be willing to do everything according to the truth. As for things that go against the truth or risks that are unnecessary, we simply will not do them.

In this way, we live honestly before God and become upright people. This is the expression of wisdom.

The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.( Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NASB )