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Bible verses about pride
Warnings against pride, arrogance, and haughty spirits, and the Bible's consistent teaching that pride leads to destruction.
What does the Bible say about pride?
Pride is one of the sins the Bible warns about most frequently. Proverbs calls it the precursor to destruction. Isaiah and Ezekiel describe the fall of proud rulers and nations. Even the story of the fall in Genesis has been read as a cautionary tale about the desire to be like God.
These passages address boasting, self-reliance, arrogance, and the refusal to acknowledge God. They are useful for self-examination and for understanding why humility is so valued in Scripture.
Key passages
"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."
Commit your works unto the Lord and your thoughts shall be established. Roll the burden of your care upon God, and leave it with him, by faith and dependence on him.
"When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom."
When pride comes, then comes shame. Considering how safe, and quiet, and easy the humble are, we see that with the lowly is wisdom.
"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord. Since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own hearts, it is right to mortify those lusts that war in the members. Wordly and fleshly lusts are distempers, which will not allow content or satisfaction.
"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:"
Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you. Humility preserves peace and order in all Christian churches and societies; pride disturbs them. Where God gives grace to be humble, he will give wisdom, faith, and holiness.
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
Be not deceived; God is not mocked. Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it.
"My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart. God would not suffer his people to be tempted, if his grace were not sufficient, not only to save them from harm, but to make them gainers by it. This temptation, the working of envy and discontent, is very painful.
Main takeaways
- Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- God actively opposes the proud throughout Scripture.
- The antidote to pride is not self-hatred but honest dependence on God.
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