While the world often praises pride, the Bible warns about its dangers. Today, we’ll explore how Scripture contrasts pride with godly humility.
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What Does The Bible Say About Being Proud
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This verse warns against the dangers of pride and its potential consequences. When we become arrogant and self-centered, we set ourselves up for destruction and failure.
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
This verse highlights how pride can lead to a person’s downfall, whereas humility and a lowly spirit bring honor and exaltation.
James 4:6
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’
God opposes those who boast in their own accomplishments and exalt themselves. Instead, He favors those who humble themselves before Him.
Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
Wisdom teaches us that a true fear of the Lord entails despising pride, arrogance, and all forms of wickedness. We are called to embrace humility and righteousness.
1 Peter 5:5
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”
This verse emphasizes the importance of humility in our interactions with others. We are called to submit to our elders and treat one another with humility, knowing that God bestows favor upon the humble.
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
This verse reminds us that pride eventually leads to shame and disgrace, whereas humility opens the door to wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 13:10
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
This verse connects pride with conflict and discord. True wisdom is displayed by those who are willing to seek and receive counsel.
1 Timothy 3:6
“He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.”
This verse cautions against promoting new converts to positions of authority too quickly, as they may become prideful and susceptible to the same condemnation as the devil.
Proverbs 21:4
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”
When we allow pride to take root in our hearts, it contaminates every aspect of our lives, leading to sinful behavior and separation from God.
Psalm 138:6
“Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.”
Even though God is exalted and majestic, He graciously regards those who are humble. He lovingly watches over them, even from a distance.
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
By humbling ourselves before God, surrendering our pride and self-reliance, we open the way for Him to exalt us and lift us up in His perfect timing.
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
This verse reminds us that those who seek to elevate themselves through pride will ultimately be brought low, whereas those who humble themselves will be exalted by God.
Galatians 6:4
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.”
We are encouraged to examine our own actions and accomplishments, finding fulfillment and contentment in our personal growth instead of comparing ourselves to others.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
God’s desire for us is not to boast in our own achievements but to walk in humility, seeking justice, showing mercy, and cultivating a deep relationship with Him.
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.”
We are urged to have a balanced view of ourselves, neither diminishing our worth nor inflating our ego. Instead, we are to esteem ourselves humbly, recognizing God’s grace and the gifts He has given us.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
The followers of Christ are called to wear the garments of humility along with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and patience. Our identity in Him should reflect these virtues.
Proverbs 16:5
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
God abhors pride in all its forms, and His justice ensures that those who exalt themselves will not escape the consequences of their prideful hearts.
Isaiah 2:11
“The eyes of the arrogant will be brought low, and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”
A time is coming when the lofty and prideful will be brought low, and only the Lord will be exalted. This verse reminds us of the eventual triumph of humility over pride.
2 Chronicles 26:16
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
Uzziah’s pride caused him to overstep his boundaries and act in disobedience to God. This resulted in his downfall and separation from God’s favor.
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.”
Pride is listed among the detestable things that the Lord despises. It is contrary to God’s nature and character.
Zephaniah 3:11
“On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.”
In the future, God will remove the prideful and boastful individuals from His holy people. This verse assures us that pride will have no place in the restored Jerusalem.
Psalm 101:5
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not tolerate.”
God promises to silence those who slander others and exhibit prideful hearts. He does not tolerate such behavior.
Proverbs 25:27
“It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.”
This verse warns against seeking self-importance and delving into matters that are beyond our understanding. It teaches us to embrace humility and acknowledge our limitations.
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus reiterates the principle of humility and exaltation. Those who lift themselves up for self-gain will ultimately be brought low, while the humble will be exalted by God.
Psalm 119:21
“You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands.”
God confronts and corrects those who display arrogance and pride, as they have strayed from His commands.
Psalm 10:4
“In his pride, the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts, there is no room for God.”
When pride fills our hearts, it leaves little room for God. The wicked ignore Him and rely solely on their own understanding and abilities.
Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior, and perverse speech.”
True reverence for God involves despising pride, arrogance, and all forms of wickedness. We are called to pursue righteousness and reject sinful behavior.