50 Bible Verses About Pride

Dariel Campbell

Pride is a significant theme throughout the Bible, often depicted as a stumbling block that leads to downfall and separation from God. While the world may sometimes glorify pride as a sign of confidence and self-assurance, the scriptures paint a different picture.The Bible warns against the dangers of pride, highlighting the importance of humility and submission to God’s will.

This blog post delves into 50 Bible verses about pride, offering insights into its consequences and how we can guard our hearts against it.

1. The Dangers of Pride

Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Description: This verse warns that pride often precedes a person’s downfall.

Interpretation: Pride blinds us to our vulnerabilities, leading to destructive choices. Recognizing this danger helps us seek humility before it’s too late.

Proverbs 11:2

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

Description: This verse contrasts the outcomes of pride and humility.

Interpretation: Pride leads to shame, while humility brings wisdom. Choosing humility protects us from the disgrace that pride brings.

James 4:6

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”

Description: James reminds us that God actively resists the proud.

Interpretation: Pride puts us at odds with God, while humility opens the door to His grace and favor.

Proverbs 29:23

“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

Description: Pride leads to downfall, but humility results in honor.

Interpretation: True honor comes from humility, as pride inevitably leads to being brought low.

Isaiah 2:11

“The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

Description: This verse foretells the humbling of prideful people before God’s greatness.

Interpretation: Human pride will be humbled before God, reminding us that He alone is worthy of exaltation.

Obadiah 1:3-4

“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.”

Description: God warns that pride leads to self-deception and eventual downfall.

Interpretation: Pride can make us overestimate our security and abilities, but God’s sovereignty will ultimately bring down the proud.

Proverbs 16:5

“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

Description: This verse makes it clear that God detests pride.

Interpretation: Pride is not only dangerous but also detestable to God, ensuring that it will be judged.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'”

Description: God instructs against boasting in personal achievements and emphasizes boasting in knowing Him.

Interpretation: Pride in our own abilities or possessions is misplaced; our true boast should be in our relationship with God.

Daniel 4:37

“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”

Description: After being humbled by God, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God’s justice.

Interpretation: God has the power to humble even the most prideful, reminding us that humility before Him is essential.

Psalm 10:4

“In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.'”

Description: Pride leads to ignoring God and living as if He does not exist.

Interpretation: Prideful people often reject God, but this mindset is spiritually dangerous and leads to separation from Him.

2. Humility as an Antidote to Pride

Philippians 2:3

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Description: Paul urges believers to prioritize humility over selfishness and pride.

Interpretation: True humility involves valuing others above ourselves, countering pride and fostering love and unity.

1 Peter 5:5

“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”

Description: Peter calls for humility and submission, warning against pride.

Interpretation: Humility in our relationships with others invites God’s grace, while pride leads to His opposition.

Luke 14:11

“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Description: Jesus teaches that those who humble themselves will be exalted by God.

Interpretation: Humility leads to exaltation by God, whereas self-exaltation results in being humbled.

Proverbs 22:4

“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”

Description: This verse promises blessings for those who are humble and reverent toward God.

Interpretation: Humility, coupled with the fear of the Lord, brings blessings and honors that pride cannot achieve.

Matthew 23:12

“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Description: Jesus reiterates the principle that humility leads to exaltation.

Interpretation: God values humility and will lift up those who humble themselves, while prideful people will be brought low.

Proverbs 15:33

“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”

Description: This verse links humility with the fear of the Lord and wisdom.

Interpretation: True honor is preceded by humility, and the fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom and understanding.

Isaiah 66:2

“All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”

Description: God looks favorably on those who are humble and reverent toward His word.

Interpretation: Humility and a contrite spirit attract God’s attention and favor, while pride distances us from Him.

James 4:10

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Description: James encourages believers to humble themselves to receive God’s exaltation.

Interpretation: God exalts those who humble themselves before Him, recognizing their need for His grace.

Psalm 25:9

“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”

Description: God guides and teaches those who are humble.

Interpretation: Humility opens the door to divine guidance and wisdom, allowing us to follow God’s path.

Micah 6:8

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Description: Micah summarizes God’s requirements: justice, kindness, and humility.

Interpretation: Walking humbly with God is a fundamental aspect of living a life that pleases Him, countering the dangers of pride.

3. Pride and Its Consequences

Proverbs 16:19

“It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

Description: This verse contrasts the blessings of humility with the pitfalls of pride.

Interpretation: Humility, even in poverty, is preferable to pride, which can lead to division and destruction.

Isaiah 14:12-15

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.”

Description: This passage describes the downfall of Lucifer due to his pride.

Interpretation: Pride leads to a tragic downfall, as exemplified by Lucifer’s fall from heaven, serving as a warning against self-exaltation.

Proverbs 18:12

“Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”

Description: This verse highlights the link between pride and destruction, and humility and honor.

Interpretation: A haughty heart is a precursor to destruction, whereas humility paves the way for honor and success.

Ezekiel 28:17

“Your heart was proud because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I exposed you before kings, to feast their eyes on you.”

Description: God speaks of the pride and downfall of the king of Tyre.

Interpretation: Pride in one’s beauty or abilities can lead to corruption and downfall, as seen in the king of Tyre’s fate.

Proverbs 21:4

“Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.”

Description: Pride is identified as a sin, illuminating the wicked.

Interpretation: Pride is a marker of wickedness, leading people away from righteousness and toward sin.

Isaiah 13:11

“I will punish the world for its evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; I will put an end to the pomp of the arrogant, and lay low the pompous pride of the ruthless.”

Description: God promises to bring down the prideful and arrogant.

Interpretation: The judgment of the prideful is inevitable, as God will not tolerate arrogance and wickedness.

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.”

Description: This verse links pride with evil, which God hates.

Interpretation: Pride is inherently tied to evil, and those who fear the Lord must reject pride and arrogance.

2 Chronicles 26:16

“But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”

Description: King Uzziah’s pride led him to act unfaithfully, resulting in his downfall.

Interpretation: Strength and success can breed pride, leading to destructive actions that separate us from God.

Jeremiah 13:9

“Thus says the Lord: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.”

Description: God warns of the destruction that will come because of Judah’s pride.

Interpretation: National pride, when it leads to disobedience and arrogance, brings God’s judgment, as seen in the fate of Judah.

Isaiah 23:9

“The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.”

Description: God’s purpose is to humble the proud and bring down the exalted.

Interpretation: God’s sovereignty ensures that all pride will be humbled, reminding us to seek humility over self-exaltation.

4. Examples of Pride in the Bible

2 Samuel 24:10

“But David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.'”

Description: David acknowledges his sin of pride after taking a census.

Interpretation: David’s pride in numbering Israel led to sin, but his repentance shows the importance of humility before God.

2 Chronicles 32:25

“But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.”

Description: Hezekiah’s pride brought wrath upon him and his kingdom.

Interpretation: Even a godly king like Hezekiah fell into pride, demonstrating the danger of pride and the need for humility.

Esther 3:5

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury.”

Description: Haman’s pride was wounded when Mordecai refused to bow to him.

Interpretation: Haman’s pride led to his eventual downfall, showing that pride blinds us to reason and justice.

Daniel 4:30

“And the king answered and said, ‘Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?'”

Description: King Nebuchadnezzar’s prideful boast led to his downfall.

Interpretation: Prideful declarations, like Nebuchadnezzar’s, lead to humbling experiences that remind us of God’s sovereignty.

2 Kings 14:10

“You have indeed struck down Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Be content with your glory, and stay at home, for why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?”

Description: King Amaziah’s pride after victory led to unnecessary conflict.

Interpretation: Pride after success can lead to further mistakes, as seen in Amaziah’s ill-fated decision to provoke a battle.

2 Chronicles 26:16

“But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”

Description: Uzziah’s pride led him to unlawfully enter the temple, resulting in his downfall.

Interpretation: Even kings are not immune to the dangers of pride, which can lead to acts of disobedience and severe consequences.

Genesis 11:4

“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.'”

Description: The builders of the Tower of Babel sought to make a name for themselves out of pride.

Interpretation: The prideful ambition to elevate themselves led to their downfall and the confusion of languages at Babel.

Acts 12:23

“Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.”

Description: King Herod was struck down for his pride in accepting worship as a god.

Interpretation: Taking glory that belongs to God leads to severe consequences, as seen in Herod’s tragic end.

2 Kings 5:11

“But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, ‘Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.'”

Description: Naaman’s pride almost prevented him from receiving healing.

Interpretation: Pride can blind us to the simple solutions God offers, as Naaman initially resisted God’s method of healing.

Luke 18:11-12

“The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.'”

Description: The Pharisee’s pride in his own righteousness is evident in this prayer.

Interpretation: Pride in our own righteousness can lead to self-deception and a lack of genuine humility before God.

5. The Call to Humility

Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Description: Jesus begins the Beatitudes with a blessing for the humble.

Interpretation: Being “poor in spirit” means recognizing our need for God, a key aspect of humility that leads to the kingdom of heaven.

Isaiah 57:15

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'”

Description: God dwells with the humble and revives their spirits.

Interpretation: God’s presence is with those who are humble and contrite, offering them spiritual renewal and life.

Matthew 11:29

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Description: Jesus describes Himself as gentle and humble, offering rest to those who follow Him.

Interpretation: Jesus models the humility we are called to emulate, promising rest and peace to those who adopt His humble ways.

Romans 12:3

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

Description: Paul advises believers to maintain a humble perspective of themselves.

Interpretation: Humility requires a realistic and sober assessment of ourselves, avoiding the trap of prideful overestimation.

Zephaniah 2:3

“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.”

Description: Zephaniah urges the humble to seek righteousness and humility.

Interpretation: Humility and righteousness are protective virtues that align us with God’s will and shield us from His wrath.

Luke 1:52

“He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.”

Description: Mary’s song praises God for exalting the humble and bringing down the proud.

Interpretation: God’s kingdom upends worldly values, exalting the humble and bringing down the proud and powerful.

Proverbs 3:34

“Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.”

Description: God opposes the scornful but shows favor to the humble.

Interpretation: Humility attracts God’s favor, while pride and scorn lead to His opposition.

Psalm 149:4

“For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.”

Description: God delights in His people and grants salvation to the humble.

Interpretation: Humility is a key trait that pleases God, leading to the ultimate gift of salvation.

Colossians 3:12

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

Description: Paul instructs believers to clothe themselves in humility and other virtues.

Interpretation: Humility is a foundational virtue for believers, essential for reflecting God’s character in our lives.

Matthew 18:4

“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Description: Jesus teaches that humility, like that of a child, is essential for greatness in God’s kingdom.

Interpretation: Childlike humility is a powerful example of the attitude God desires, leading to true greatness in His kingdom.

Conclusion

The Bible consistently warns against the dangers of pride, highlighting its potential to lead to downfall and separation from God. At the same time, it calls believers to embrace humility, a virtue that aligns us with God’s will and brings His favor. As we reflect on these 50 verses, may we seek to cultivate humility in our hearts, recognizing that true exaltation comes not from self-promotion, but from God’s gracious hand.

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