Pride and ego can easily lead us away from kindness and humility. The Bible warns against these traits, showing how pride can harm relationships and distance us from God. By looking at biblical advice on pride, we can learn why humility is key to living a life that honors others and God.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Self Esteem
What Does The Bible Say About Pride And Ego
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
This verse emphasizes the negative consequences of pride and the importance of humility. It warns that pride leads to disgrace and highlights the value of embracing humility, which brings forth wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This verse cautions against the dangers of pride and a haughty spirit, indicating that they often lead to downfall and destruction.
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
Here, the verse illustrates how pride can humble a person, while those who possess humility and a modest spirit are honored.
James 4:6
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
This verse reveals how God opposes the proud but extends His grace to those who approach Him with humility.
1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’
Here, the verse encourages mutual humility and submission, reminding individuals to treat one another with humility as God opposes the proud but extends grace to the humble.
Proverbs 26:12
“Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
This verse exposes the folly of those who consider themselves wise and highlights the slim prospects for their growth and improvement.
Proverbs 13:10
“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”
The verse cautions against insolence and highlights the importance of seeking advice, as wisdom arises from those who are willing to listen and receive guidance.
Proverbs 16:5
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”
This verse conveys the severity of arrogance in the eyes of the Lord, stating that anyone with an arrogant heart is considered an abomination and will face divine punishment.
Proverbs 21:4
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.”
Here, the verse depicts haughty eyes and a proud heart as sinful and illuminates the wickedness that resides within them.
Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech, I hate.”
This verse explains that those who fear the Lord detest evil, including pride, arrogance, wickedness, and perverse speech.
Proverbs 27:2
“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.”
The verse advises against self-praise and suggests that others should commend us, not our own mouths or lips.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.”
This verse encourages believers to avoid selfish ambition and conceit, instead focusing on humility and valuing others above themselves.
Matthew 23:12
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Here, the verse communicates that those who elevate themselves will be brought low, while those who humble themselves will be honored and uplifted.
1 Corinthians 10:12
“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
This verse exhorts individuals who perceive themselves as standing firmly to be cautious, reminding them that they too can stumble and fall.
Galatians 5:26
“Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Here, the verse urges against becoming conceited, provoking others, or fostering envy among one another, emphasizing the importance of humility and unity.
Romans 12:16
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
The verse instructs believers to dwell in harmony with one another, rejecting haughtiness, and instead associating with the lowly. It underscores the need to avoid considering ourselves too wise.
Luke 14:11
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This verse mirrors Matthew 23:12, conveying the principle that those who elevate themselves will be brought low, while those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Colossians 3:12
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
This verse encourages believers to adopt qualities such as compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, reflecting the character of God’s chosen ones.
Psalm 10:4
“In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’
This verse highlights the correlation between pride and the wicked, revealing that those consumed by pride do not seek God and deny His existence in their thoughts.
Psalm 138:6
“For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.”
Here, the verse affirms that although the Lord is exalted, He pays attention to the lowly and distances Himself from the haughty.
Isaiah 2:11
“The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.”
This verse proclaims the eventual humbling of human pride and the exaltation of the Lord alone, emphasizing His supremacy.
Jeremiah 9:23
“Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.”
Here, the verse discourages boasting in wisdom, strength, or riches, reminding individuals that true boasting comes from understanding and knowing the Lord.
Zechariah 7:9
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.'” (Zechariah 7:9)
This verse instructs believers to practice justice, kindness, and mercy towards others, while discouraging the development of evil intentions in their hearts.
Matthew 6:1
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”
This verse warns about seeking recognition and praise from others when performing acts of righteousness, as the true reward comes from the Father in heaven, not from human approval.
Psalm 101:5
“Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”
This verse reveals God’s disapproval of slanderous behavior and His refusal to endure those with haughty and arrogant hearts.
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
Here, the verse calls for believers to humble themselves before the Lord, promising that He will uplift and exalt them.