Pride can create barriers in a marriage, hindering communication and connection. The Bible speaks to the importance of humility and mutual respect in relationships. Let’s discuss how the Scriptures guide us in addressing pride within marriage.
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What Does The Bible Say About pride in marriage
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This verse warns against the dangers of pride in marriage. Prideful attitudes can lead to destruction and conflict within the relationship. It is important for spouses to humble themselves and cultivate a spirit of humility.
Pride can hinder effective communication, compromise, and the ability to work as a team. By practicing humility, couples can foster a healthy, loving, and respectful marriage.
Proverbs 13:10
“Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
This verse emphasizes the negative impact of pride in marriage. Pride can fuel arguments and disagreements, preventing resolution and growth within the relationship.
Instead, couples should seek wisdom by being open to receiving advice and guidance from others. Humility and a willingness to listen and learn can lead to a healthier and more harmonious marriage.
Proverbs 15:25
“The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.”
This verse serves as a reminder that God opposes pride in marriage. God has a way of humbling the proud and exalting the humble.
By humbling themselves before God and each other, couples can experience the blessings and favor of the Lord in their marriage.
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
This verse highlights the consequences of pride in marriage. Pride can lead to disgrace and damage to the relationship.
However, choosing humility allows for the cultivation of wisdom and understanding, which can lead to a stronger and more fulfilling marriage.
Proverbs 27:2
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
In the context of marriage, this verse reminds spouses to avoid boastful and prideful behavior. Seeking praise for oneself can sow seeds of discord and resentment, and it is more beneficial to be praised by others.
By humbly acknowledging the strengths and accomplishments of each other, couples can foster a healthy and supportive marriage.
Proverbs 16:5
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
This verse serves as a warning against the sin of pride. In marriage, prideful attitudes go against God’s design and can hinder intimacy and unity between spouses.
Humility is the key to experiencing God’s grace and avoiding the consequences of pride.
Proverbs 21:24
“The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker“ is his name— behaves with insolent fury.”
This verse speaks of the negative traits associated with pride. In marriage, pride can manifest as arrogance and a lack of empathy or understanding toward one’s spouse.
Cultivating humility allows for compassion and love to flourish in the relationship.
Proverbs 28:25
“The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the Lord will prosper.”
Although not directly addressing marriage, this verse reflects how pride and greed can lead to strife and discontent in any relationship.
In marriage, trusting in the Lord and prioritizing the needs of one’s spouse over selfish desires can lead to a prosperous and harmonious union.
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 resists the proud but extends His grace to the humble. In marriage, embracing humility allows couples to experience the grace and favor of God in their relationship.
By seeking to serve one another with love and selflessness, spouses can invite God’s blessings into their marriage.
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.'”
In the context of marriage, this verse encourages mutual submission and humility between spouses. Both partners should willingly and humbly serve and respect each other.
By practicing humility, couples can create an atmosphere of love, understanding, and mutual support in their marriage.
Luke 22:26
“But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.”
This verse challenges the prevailing notion of power and authority. In marriage, humility is key as both partners should seek to serve rather than dominate.
By embracing servant leadership, couples can foster a healthy and balanced dynamic in their relationship.
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
This passage calls for selflessness and humility in marriage. Couples should prioritize the needs and well-being of their spouse above their own.
By valuing and sacrificially loving one another, couples can build a strong foundation of trust and intimacy in their marriage.
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus teaches the importance of humility in this verse. In marriage, those who seek to elevate themselves and assert dominance may find themselves humbled.
But by humbling oneself, couples can experience exaltation in the form of a stronger, more loving relationship.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
This verse serves as a reminder for spouses to embody Christ-like virtues in their marriage. Humility is listed among these virtues, highlighting its importance in maintaining a healthy and loving relationship.
By nurturing these qualities, couples can create a marriage that reflects the character of God.
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
This verse emphasizes the call to humility in marriage. Couples are encouraged to be patient, gentle, and understanding with one another.
Humbling oneself allows for grace and forgiveness to abound, fostering a strong and enduring bond between spouses.
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.””
This verse challenges the conventional understanding of power and position. In marriage, spouses are called to be selfless and serve one another.
By embracing a servant’s heart, couples can build a marriage that is characterized by love, humility, and mutual support.
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.”
In the context of marriage, this verse encourages spouses to cultivate harmony and unity. Pride can hinder this harmony, so it is important to embrace humility and avoid conceit.
By treating one another with respect and equality, couples can create a strong and loving partnership.
1 Corinthians 3:18
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise.”
This verse challenges the notion of worldly wisdom and the pride that comes with it. In marriage, it is essential to prioritize Godly wisdom over the world’s standards.
By humbling oneself before God, couples can gain true wisdom and understanding, leading to a flourishing and fulfilling marriage.
1 John 2:16
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
This verse underscores the worldly nature of pride and its incompatibility with God’s ways. In marriage, it is important to resist the temptations of pride that can arise from focusing on worldly desires.
By seeking God’s guidance and surrendering to His will, couples can cultivate a marriage that reflects His love and righteousness.
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.”
This verse highlights the call to walk humbly with God. In marriage, couples are encouraged to seek a humble and obedient attitude towards God.
By surrendering to God’s will and following His guidance, couples can build a marriage that is rooted in His love, grace, and wisdom.
Galatians 6:3
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
This verse cautions against self-deception and prideful self-perception. In marriage, it is important to have an accurate view of oneself and to avoid exaggerating one’s worth or accomplishments.
Humility allows for honest self-reflection and fosters an environment of authenticity and vulnerability in the relationship.
Psalm 147:6
“The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
This verse assures us that God upholds the humble. In marriage, choosing humility over pride allows couples to seek God’s sustaining grace and blessings.
By relying on God’s strength rather than their own, couples can overcome challenges and grow together in their faith and love.
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
This verse highlights the contrast between pride and humility. In marriage, pride can lead to brokenness and dishonor, while humility brings honor and respect.
By cultivating a humble spirit, couples can experience the joy and fulfillment of a marriage that is characterized by mutual love and honor.