Conceit is a form of pride that separates us from God and others. The Bible teaches humility as the antidote to self-centeredness. Today, we’ll explore what Scripture says about overcoming conceit and walking in humility.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Compromising
What Does The Bible Say About Conceit
Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of fearing the Lord and hating pride and arrogance. It reminds us that true wisdom and righteousness come from humbling ourselves before God and rejecting conceited behavior.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This verse warns us about the dangers of pride, highlighting that it leads to destruction. It is a reminder to avoid arrogance and to remain humble, recognizing that our success and abilities come from God.
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
This verse teaches us that pride will ultimately bring us down, while humility leads to honor. It encourages us to cultivate a humble spirit and seek to serve others rather than exalting ourselves.
James 4:6
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'”
This verse reminds us that God opposes the proud but bestows His favor on the humble. It encourages us to rely on God’s grace and to cultivate a spirit of humility in our lives.
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 relationships with others. It highlights that God favors the humble and encourages us to submit to authority with a humble heart.
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
This verse challenges us to reject selfishness and conceit, and instead choose humility. It reminds us to prioritize the needs and interests of others, demonstrating selfless love and genuine care.
1 Corinthians 10:12
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
This verse serves as a warning against pride and self-assuredness. It reminds us that we should not become complacent in our faith or underestimate the power of temptation, urging us to remain vigilant and rely on God’s strength.
Romans 12:16
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
This verse calls us to live in unity and humility. It encourages us to embrace diversity, showing kindness and respect to all people, regardless of their social status or position.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
This verse reminds us of our identity as God’s chosen people and calls us to embody humility along with other virtues. It encourages us to embrace humility as a garment, allowing it to shape our actions and interactions with others.
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
This verse conveys a powerful truth – those who exalt themselves will ultimately be humbled, while those who humble themselves will be lifted up by God. It teaches us the importance of having a humble attitude and avoiding self-promotion.
Psalm 138:6
“Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.”
This verse reassures us that even though the Lord is exalted, He still attends to the humble. It reminds us that God’s gaze extends to those who are lowly in spirit, and He lovingly cares for them.
Galatians 6:3
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
This verse warns against self-deception and the danger of thinking too highly of ourselves. It challenges us to embrace humility and honestly assess ourselves, recognizing that all our abilities and achievements come from God.
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
This verse echoes the teaching of Jesus that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while the humble will be exalted. It serves as a reminder to embrace humility and avoid prideful attitudes.
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
This verse encourages us to live in humility, gentleness, and patience. It reminds us to treat others with love, even in challenging situations, and to approach life with a humble and compassionate heart.
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
This verse emphasizes the destructive nature of pride and the wisdom that accompanies humility. It teaches us to embrace humility as the path to true wisdom and warns us of the consequences of prideful attitudes.
Isaiah 2:11
“The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.”
This verse reminds us that human pride will be brought low, while the Lord alone will be exalted. It points to the ultimate sovereignty of God and calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility instead of relying on our own strength and accomplishments.
James 1:9-10
“Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.”
This verse contrasts the perspectives of believers in different circumstances. It teaches that those in humble circumstances should find their value and worth in their relationship with God, while the rich should recognize the fleeting nature of worldly wealth and glory.
Psalm 25:9
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
This verse reminds us of God’s faithfulness to guide and teach the humble. It encourages us to embrace humility, knowing that God will lead us on the right path and grant us understanding.
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.”
This verse calls us to have a balanced and humble view of ourselves. It reminds us that our gifts and abilities come from God’s grace and urges us to use them in accordance with His will, rather than boasting or thinking too highly of ourselves.
Colossians 2:18
“Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.”
This verse warns against false humility and deceptive practices. It cautions against those who boast of spiritual experiences but are actually full of pride and false teachings. It reminds us to discern the true motivations and attitudes behind people’s actions.
2 Chronicles 32:26
“Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the LORD’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.”
This verse illustrates the importance of repentance and humility. It shows how the repentance of Hezekiah and the people saved them from the Lord’s wrath. It serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and the transformative power of humility.
Psalm 149:4
“For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”
This verse reminds us that God delights in His people, especially in those who have a humble spirit. It assures us that God rewards humility with His favor and grants victory to those who humbly trust in Him.
Proverbs 13:10
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
This verse exposes the connection between strife and pride, highlighting the destructive nature of prideful attitudes. It encourages us to seek wisdom by humbly listening to advice and being open to correction.
1 Timothy 6:17
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”
This verse warns against arrogance and placing too much trust in material wealth. It reminds us that true hope and security can only be found in God, who abundantly provides for all our needs and blesses us with enjoyment.
Luke 18:9-14
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 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.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'”
This parable shared by Jesus reminds us of the importance of humility in our approach to God. It contrasts the prideful prayer of the Pharisee with the humble prayer of the tax collector. It teaches us that genuine humility and recognition of our sinfulness before God is what leads to justification and exaltation in His sight.