It is important to learn the Best Bible Verses About Pride and how to overcome this sinful act. “I’m proud of you.” This is a notion that we regularly dish out and long to hear it on a daily basis. But when is this saying a sin? The Scripture makes it clear to our understanding that it is right and just to encourage and admonish each other. It further tells us that it is right and just to take pride in the good works of God and His creation. Hence, we can be proud to be children of God. However, we cross into sin when pride revolves around our wealth, personality, strength, and life. John Piper reminds us that pride is universal. That is, we all deal with pride in one way or the other. Philippians 4:6a says, “Do not be anxious about anything.”
Apostle Paul describes counterproductive worries and self-centered anxieties unconcerned with the spread of the Holy Gospel. Pride can be narrowed down into the core of worry and anxiety. And as such, it exposes a lack of faith or trust in the Lord God Almighty. Having said these things, one might ask, “what does pride actually mean?” In simple terms, pride has to do with an over-concerned with ourselves, a disposition to get above others, to hide our defects, to exalt ourselves, and to pass for more that we really are. We can as well say that pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, merit, importance, or superiority, whether as displayed in conduct or cherished in the mind. Pride installs a craving for compliments within us and leads us to entertaining an overly critical view of ourselves.
Bible Verses About Pride
What does the Scripture say about Pride?
The Scripture says much about pride worth knowing by all followers of Jesus Christ. However, it is important to understand that no-matter the form in which we entertain pride, it is an act that can be both glaringly and deceptive sneaky. As for what the Scripture says about pride, let’s read from Proverbs 8:13 -“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, even behavior and perverse speech.” With an understanding of the Scripture, Hannah prayed, “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed” (1 Samuel 2:3). Still speaking or cautioning against pride, Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
The Scripture clearly teaches us that pride is the root cause of the rubble in our lives. Apostle Paul with a good understanding of the Scripture warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:12 – “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” Likewise, Psalm 10:2-11 portrays the oppressive result of pride, and a plea to God for justice as well as defense for those caught in its tailspin. Perhaps you were not aware but pride is at the heart of bullying and entitlement. The deceptive tendency of pride leaves a wake of destruction. Likewise, we can say that the very nature of human conflict is rooted in elements of pride. Let’s support this spiritual truth by reading from Proverbs 13:10 – “Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
What causes pride?
It is rather unfortunate that Adam and Eve fell to the temptation to believe they could be like God. Since then, people have been facing an innate problem relinquishing control of life and circumstances into the hands of God. The fall of Adam and Eve brought sin into the world. As a result of this, the entire humanity possess a sinful nature. This sinful nature manifest itself in three ways: self-certeredness, self-reliance, and self-condemnation. Although witnesses to Jesus’ miracles led to people believing He was who He said He was, “But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. He did not need man’s testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man” (John 2:24-25). “There is a giant difference between being ‘proud’ of someone else and having ‘pride’ in yourself …” wrote Pastor Roger Barrier “and it’s a spiritual difference worth studying.”
Types of pride in the Bible
Psalm 44:11 says, “In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever” Having read this Scripture, we can say that there are two basic types of pride in the Bible, legitimate and sinful. Legitimate pride according to the Bible is one that swells from an appreciation of God’s character and faithful actions in our lives. A good number of the Psalms praise God for His protection, answer to prayer, provision (Psalm 34:1-7), and unfailing love. The truth about God is that when all else falters and fades away, He remains. Galatians 6:14 says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here, Apostle Paul is crediting his integrity to Christ, boasting in a clear Christ-led conscience as supported by Bible verses about pride.
We have the right to boast of what God, through Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, is doing through us with all that He put in and activated in His time and according to His perfect will. Philippians 2:16 says, “as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” According to Romans 15:17, Legitimate, godly pride has absolutely nothing to do with ourselves as the main character on scene. On the other hand, sinful pride attempts to be God. Genesis 3:5 says, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” This is the devil’s greatest lie that led to the fall of man.
More info on types of prides
The devil deceived man to thin that he could be like God. Pride came into man and blinded him from seeing the sovereign nature of God while maintaining his. It made him to desire God’s position thereby leading to his fall. Likewise, pride hijacks our focus from loving our neighbor to comparing and competing. Each time that we let sinful pride to take control of ourselves, we forget that God created us equally, and subsequently gifts, views, purposes, and treats us justly. Sinful pride forces us to start crediting ourselves with our accomplishments. 1 Corinthians 4:7 states, “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” Our sinful pride tempts us to be self-sufficient rather than God reliant.
Why is pride such an important issue in the Bible?
Beloved, it is important to understand once and for all that pride is disobedience to God’s command to love him above all else, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. As our Heavenly Father sanctifies our hearts, He disciplines us justly as any good Father would. It is in this light that Isaiah 13:11 says, “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.” It is rather unfortunate that we don’t often identify these tendencies in ourselves, but we tend to be very good at figuring them out in the lives of others. Beware, for the moment that we are able to see it in someone else, such a character is reflecting a piece of our own pride.
In Isaiah 2:18, after three different stern warnings in the same chapter about prideful humanity being humbled in judgement on the day of the Lord God Almighty, says “and all the idols will totally disappear.” Behold, this is the true danger hosted by pride. Pride seeks to set idols, anything we loft in importance over God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Anything that takes the first place on the throne of our hearts is likely to be considered an idol for the first place belongs to God. Worldly accomplishments, tangible things, an unhealthy dependence on and/or admiration of another person/people will all be stripped away on the famous day of the Lord God. On that day, we will all stand humbled before God who will undoubtedly remain Who He Is. God is all we will ever need. It is unfortunate that pride seeks to convince us otherwise.
Bible characters who struggled with pride
We all know that Adam and Eve’s struggle with pride led to the fall of humanity. They sinned by entertaining the devil’s deceitful promise that the apple will give them the same ability to discern good from evil in the same way God does (Genesis 3:5-6). In the same way, King David also suffered from pride when he called for an unnecessary census of Israel’s army. It is rather unfortunate that “He seemed inclined to trust in a strong army rather than in an all-powerful God.” The Bible verses on pride caution against such.
As we can read from 2 Chronicles 26:16, King Uzziah presumed himself worthy of priestly duties and was immediately cursed with leprosy. 2 Chronicles 32:25 tells us that king Hezekiah’s pride prompted disobedience. Daniel 4:30 tells us how Nebuchadnezzar was driven from his kingdom for taking credit for building Babylon. Herod was stroke death and eaten by worms for having assumed the status of a god rather than praising the One True and Only God.
The five (5) best ways for Christians to identify pride in their lives
Philippians 4:4-7 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Behold. “we know the disease” Jaquelle Crowe writes, “but we don’t recognize the symptoms. And that’s why we need the insight of our Great Physician and to reveal its symptoms and release us from it’s grip.” Jaquelle Crowe further cautions or warns against the following signs: entitlement, fear, people-pleasing, ingratitude, hypocrisy, prayerlessness, and rebellion. However, faith, a special gift from God, kills pride. Genuine faith by nature, looks away from ourselves.
By staying connected to Christ, we can easily identify and deal with pride in our lives. By praying without ceasing and regularly studying the word of God, the Holy Spirit will alert and convict us to the chains of sin in our lives. In addition, the Holy Spirit will walk us through the process of sanctification to break us free from sin as we dwell in Christ. However, we’ll need to have ears to hear and the sensitivity to follow His lead. This is inline with the Bible verses about pride. Below are the 5 best ways:
- Asking God in prayer to reveal and remove pride in our hearts, minds, and lives.
- Reading the word of God on a daily basis.
- Maintaining an obedient mindset to what the word of God says knowing that generosity and gratefulness keeps pride at bay.
- Relating with other spiritually mature Christians for guidance.
- Repenting and drawing near to God through a daily repetition of what He commands.
Fighting and overcoming pride by praying for humility
James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Truth be told, humility is the antidote for pride. Let’s support our point by reading from James 1:22 – “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” By following the steps of Christ, we are certain to be walking the path of humility. Behold, the life of Christ is an example of a humble life. He was confident in God’s purpose for His life and did not doubt even for a second.
Having said this, one might want to know how we can take our prideful thoughts captive, and further steer them into humble obedience to the Will and Word of God. Luckily enough, Apostle Paul gives us a major tool in Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.” By keeping our heart focus on Christ and His ways, we are able to overcome pride.
A prayer for God to eliminate every trace of pride in us and makes humble
Heavenly Father, in you and you alone we desire to take pride. Have mercy on us. We give you thanks for the direction you’ve given us to follow in all humbleness. Help us to meet your standard of humility just as Christ showed us an example. Eliminate every trace of sinful pride in us and give us the strength to remain humble in everything we do. Father, fill us with the Holy Spirit to always give us direction and lead us into doing only that which pleases you. Lord, strengthen our faith and trust in you and you alone. May our voices be lifted at all times to give you thanks for your sovereign reign over Heaven and Earth. Help us not to look at ourselves more than we should neither relying on our strength but on you alone. We make this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ.
What you should note about pride
There is a great difference between the kind of pride that God hates (Proverbs 8:13) and the kind of pride the stems from a job well done (Galatians 6:4) or that expressed over the accomplishment of our loved ones (2 Corinthians 7:4). However, the type of pride that stems from self-righteousness or conceit is sin. God hates such because, it stands as hindrance to seeking Him. That is why it is said that the proud are so much consumed with themselves that their thoughts are far away from God. Let’s read from Psalm 10:4 – “In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” Such is that which is opposite to the Spirit of humility that God seeks from us as mentioned in Matthew 5:3 – “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The “poor in spirit” are all those who recognize their utter spiritual bankruptcy and their absolute inability to come to God aside from His divine grace (unmerited favor). On the other hand, the proud are so blinded by their pride that they think that they have no need for God or, worse, that God should simple welcome them the way they are because they merit to be accepted by Him. The consequences of pride are heavy. Proverbs 16:18-19 says, “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Remember that Satan was cast out of heaven because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). He had the audacity to think that he could replace God as the ruler of the Universe. Those who lift themselves high are moving to disaster (Isaiah 14:22).
Many are in darkness because of pride
It is without doubt that pride has kept many people from accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. For prideful people, acknowledging sin and the fact that on their own, they can do nothing to inherit Eternal Life has always been a stumbling block. The Scripture is clear on the fact that it is by Believing in Jesus Christ, Sincerely Repenting, and obeying His Key Teachings that we are given everlasting life in God’s presence. The problem with pride is that we give ourselves the credit for something that God has accomplished. In simple terms, pride can be viewed as taking the glory that belongs to God alone and keeping it for ourselves. In other words, pride is self-worship.
Nothing accomplished in the world would have been possible if not for God enabling and sustaining us. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” That is why we should always give God all the glory because He alone deserves it. We are not to boast about ourselves because on our own, we can do nothing. Thus, it is sinful to boast of your knowledge, wealth, understanding, strength, accomplishments or life if credit is not attributed to God. Let’s now present the best Bible verses on pride.
Best Bible Verses About Pride
Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
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.”
Proverbs 8:13 – “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
1 Samuel 16:7 – But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Proverbs 29:23 – “Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
2 Corinthians 10:17-18 – “But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.””
Mark 7:20-23 – He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”
Proverbs 18:12 – “Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.“
Group 1 – Bible Verses About Pride
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 – “God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.”
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.”
Daniel 4:37 – “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
1 Corinthians 13:3 – “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.“
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.”
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.”
Proverbs 11:2 – “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
Proverbs 29:23 – “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”
Group 2 – Bible Verses About Pride
Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
James 4:6 – But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
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.”
Proverbs 16:5 – “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”
1 John 2:16 – “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Psalm 10:4 – “In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”“
Proverbs 18:12 – “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
Proverbs 13:10 – “By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”
Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another. Do not