“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
Bible Verses About Pride
The Dangers of Pride
Pride can sometimes feel like a friend to us, giving us confidence and a sense of superiority. However, the Bible teaches us that pride can lead us into destructive paths. As we reflect on the dangers of pride, we understand that it separates us from humility and can cloud our judgment. When we are too full of ourselves, we forget our dependence on God. By reminding ourselves of the perils that pride carries, we can strive to remain humble, placing our trust in God rather than ourselves.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
James 4:6
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’” – James 4:6
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” – Proverbs 29:23
Proverbs 18:12
“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” – Proverbs 18:12
Humility vs. Pride
As followers of Christ, we are often reminded to embrace humility over pride. In a world that tells us to showcase our achievements, the Bible teaches us the value of being humble. Humility draws us closest to God and allows us to serve others better. The challenges we face in overcoming our pride can be substantial, but as we seek to mirror Christ’s humility, we find that it brings us peace and purpose. This transformation from pride to humility can lead us to a deeper relationship with God and greater compassion for those around us.
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:3
Proverbs 22:4
“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” – Proverbs 22:4
Examples of Pride in the Bible
The Bible is filled with stories that depict the consequences of pride. From King Nebuchadnezzar’s downfall to the Pharisees’ harsh judgment, we see how pride leads to ruin. These stories serve as cautionary tales for us. They reveal that when we become proud, often, our certainty in ourselves grows, and our dependence on God diminishes. By studying these examples, we can glean wisdom and reminders of how humility is the better path. As we observe the results of pride in others, we become more aware of our own tendencies and can actively combat pride in our lives.
Daniel 4:37
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:37
Isaiah 14:12-15
“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.’” – Isaiah 14:12-15
Luke 18:11-12
“The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’” – Luke 18:11-12
Proverbs 30:13
“There are those who are clean in their own eyes, but are not washed of their filth.” – Proverbs 30:13
Job 35:12-13
“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky?’ He does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked.” – Job 35:12-13
The Call to Overcome Pride
Overcoming pride is a significant part of our spiritual growth. Every day, we face choices that remind us to choose humility instead of letting pride dictate our actions. The scripture urges us to keep our hearts open to God’s guidance, helping us recognize when pride sneaks in. We should regularly search our hearts and ask ourselves whether pride is interfering with our relationships or our walk with God. As we invite Him into our struggles, He helps us to be more aware of our prideful tendencies and encourages us to replace them with Christ-like humility.
Galatians 5:26
“Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” – Galatians 5:26
Romans 12:3
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” – Romans 12:3
Psalms 10:4
“In his pride, the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” – Psalms 10:4
Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood.” – Proverbs 6:16-17
1 Corinthians 4:7
“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” – 1 Corinthians 4:7
God’s Humble Servants
God calls each of us to be humble servants to one another. Jesus exemplified servanthood in the most profound ways, teaching us that true greatness comes from serving others. When we take our eyes off ourselves and focus on helping others, we transform our hearts. By finding ways to serve, we can overcome pride and live out a life that reflects Christ’s love. This is what God desires from us—to live in unity, supporting each other with compassion and grace, while fully relying on Him and His strength.
Matthew 20:26-28
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:26-28
John 13:14
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” – John 13:14
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” – Galatians 5:13
Mark 9:35
“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” – Mark 9:35
Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23
Relying on God’s Strength
As we navigate our faith journeys, we will face temptations that lead us toward pride. However, we can combat this through prayer and reliance on God’s strength. By seeking God’s help, we can learn to resist the urge to inflate our own importance. When we confront our weaknesses, we open the door for God’s power to shine through us. So, we become walking testimonies of His grace and mercy. Relying on God keeps us grounded and reminds us that it’s not us but His work in us that truly matters.
2 Corinthians 12:9
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Psalms 37:5
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.” – Psalms 37:5
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Final Thoughts
Pride is a common struggle for many of us, but throughout the Bible, we find wisdom that guides us away from arrogance and toward humility. By recognizing the dangers that pride brings, we can strive for a life filled with grace rather than judgment. It is our call to support one another through acts of service, reflecting the humility that Christ showed us. As we submit our pride to God, we learn to rely on His strength rather than our own. With His guidance, we can move forward in our faith, embracing a lifestyle of love and service.
Our journey together as believers encourages mutual growth and understanding. We should always be open to examining our hearts and turning to God in prayer. In doing so, we stay grounded in humility and become the image of Christ in a world that really needs it. If you’re looking for more encouraging verses, you might want to check out Proverbs 31:3 for wisdom on serving others or Philippians 4:6-8 for advice on how to remain grounded in our thoughts.