As Christians, we are called to walk in humility and depend on God, not our own strength or achievements. Pride, in its many forms, is a subtle and dangerous sin that separates us from God and others. The Bible speaks clearly and consistently about the consequences of pride and the blessings of humility. Below are key themes from Scripture that highlight what God says about pride and how we are to guard our hearts against it.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Being Proud of Yourself
The Danger of Pride
Pride is a condition of the heart that can blind us to truth and make us believe we are self-sufficient. When pride takes root, it distorts our view of ourselves and others, and ultimately distances us from God. Scripture warns us that pride leads to destruction and spiritual downfall. As we explore these verses, may we ask God to reveal any pride in our hearts and guide us back to humility.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”
Proverbs 11:2
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Obadiah 1:3
“You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully.”
Isaiah 2:12
“For the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has a day of reckoning. He will punish the proud and mighty and bring down everything that is exalted.”
Mark 7:21-22
“For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.”
God Opposes the Proud
God’s Word tells us plainly that He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride positions us against God because it exalts self over Him. When we live with prideful hearts, we resist His authority and wisdom. These verses remind us that God desires hearts that are lowly, teachable, and surrendered to His will.
James 4:6
“And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
1 Peter 5:5
“In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Proverbs 3:34
“The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.”
Psalm 138:6
“Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.”
Luke 1:51
“His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.”
Pride Leads to Humiliation
The Bible teaches that pride eventually leads to humiliation, while humility brings honor. When we exalt ourselves, we are setting ourselves up for a fall. God, in His wisdom, allows life to humble us so that we might recognize our need for Him. The verses below reflect the humbling path that pride often brings.
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”
Luke 14:11
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Proverbs 18:12
“Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.”
Isaiah 23:9
“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies has done it to destroy your pride and bring low all earth’s nobility.”
Daniel 5:20
“But when his heart and mind were puffed up with arrogance, he was brought down from his royal throne and stripped of his glory.”
Pride vs. Humility
Pride and humility are opposite attitudes of the heart. Where pride boasts in self, humility acknowledges our dependence on God. The Bible constantly contrasts these two paths, showing the destruction that pride brings and the peace and favor that come from a humble spirit. Reflect on these verses as a call to cultivate humility in all we do.
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Micah 6:8
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Romans 12:3
“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”
Colossians 3:12
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Proverbs 22:4
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Being Proud of Your Child
Pride in Achievements
It’s easy to become proud of our accomplishments, forgetting that every gift and success comes from God. When we take credit for what God has done through us, we rob Him of glory. These verses remind us to stay humble and give thanks to the One who empowers us to do all things.
Deuteronomy 8:14
“Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.”
1 Corinthians 4:7
“For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?”
Jeremiah 9:23
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches.'”
2 Corinthians 10:17
“As the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.'”
Psalm 75:7
“It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.”
Humility Attracts God’s Favor
While pride leads to opposition from God, humility attracts His grace and blessing. The Lord delights in those who are humble and trust in Him. As believers, we are to walk humbly with our God, recognizing that everything we are and have is because of His mercy and love.
Isaiah 66:2
“My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.”
Matthew 23:12
“But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Psalm 25:9
“He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.”
Job 22:29
“If people are in trouble and you say, ‘Help them,’ God will save them. Even sinners will be rescued; they will be rescued because your hands are pure.”
Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you—protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.”
Examples of Pride and Humility in Scripture
The Bible gives us vivid examples of both pride and humility in the lives of people God used. From kings who fell due to arrogance to humble servants lifted up by God, these real-life stories remind us that character matters to the Lord. As we study their journeys, may we learn to walk humbly, trusting God’s timing and direction in every step.
2 Chronicles 26:16
“But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar.”
Daniel 4:37
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud.”
Luke 18:14
“I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Philippians 2:5-8
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
John 3:30
“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.”