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Bible Verses About Pride

The Bible speaks often about pride, clearly identifying it as a heart attitude that is contrary to God’s nature and destructive to human flourishing. From the very beginning of humanity’s fall, the desire to be like God, to elevate oneself above Him, has been a core temptation. Scripture provides a consistent warning against the dangers of pride, highlighting its deceptive nature and its ability to blind individuals to their true need for God. Understanding what the Bible says about pride is crucial for those who seek to live a life pleasing to God. It helps us to examine our own hearts, recognize the subtle forms pride can take, and embrace the humility that God so highly values. This collection of verses will guide us through the biblical understanding of pride, its characteristics, its consequences, and the path to overcoming it through God’s grace.

By Mohau Tshabangu · Founding editor & lead writer · How we review

"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

"When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the humble is wisdom."

"A man’s pride brings him low, but one of humble spirit retains honor."

"The fear of Yahweh is to hate evil. I hate pride and arrogance, and the evil way and the perverse mouth."

"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”"

"Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”"

"Whoever will exalt himself will be humbled, and whoever will humble himself will be exalted."

"in nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;"

"For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith."

"For if a man thinks himself to be anything when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

"For the day of Yahweh of Armies will be on all who are proud and haughty, and on all who are lifted up; and they will be brought low."

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

Frequently asked questions

  • Pride, in its biblical sense, is more than simple arrogance; it is an inflated sense of self-importance that ultimately rejects reliance on God. It manifests as self-sufficiency, a belief in one’s own wisdom, power, or righteousness, to the exclusion of acknowledging God’s sovereignty.