34 Bible Verses About Pride

Numerous Bible verses about pride show that it is a very bad thing. Pride destroys a person. A person who is proud is far from God’s mercy. The proud face shame. It is mentioned in these Bible verses that humility should be adopted instead of pride. God has mercy on those who are humble. These Bible verses talk about the harms of pride and its effects and also talk about many biblical figures in whose lives we find pride. I:e Pharaoh, Lucifer, Cain, Simon, King Saul, Haman, Goliath and Nebuchadnezzar.

Dangerous Consequences of Pride

Verse#1

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

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Proverbs 16:18

Explanation

Solomon claims in this bible verse that a person is arrogant until God breaks his pride and he is ruined. He has to face disgrace when his pride is crushed. Pride always dies.

Verse#2

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Proverbs 11:2

Explanation

According to Solomon in this verse, people who are arrogant are ashamed, while God grants wisdom upon those who are humble. The arrogant remain to be stupid.

Verse#3

The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Obadiah 3

Explanation

This verse talks about a person who is proud. Pride enters his heart and that pride deceives him. This individual believes he has attained great heights and that no one could bring him down, yet this is all lies. A proud person is always humiliated and disgraced.

Verse#4

The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Isaiah 2:12

Explanation

In this bible verse, Isaiah says that when the Day of Judgment comes God will support the humble and the proud will be punished. In this biblical scripture, Isaiah warns people not to be proud, but to be humble. in order to protect them from God’s wrath on the Day of Resurrection.

Verse#5

In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Psalm 10:4

Explanation

In this verse, David says that someone who is proud believes he is wise and refuses to listen to God’s word. He thinks according to his own will and ignores God. On the Day of Resurrection, such a person will go through lots of suffering.

Verse#6

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Book

New-Testament

Reference

James 4:6

Explanation

James claims in this verse that while God opposes and punishes those who are arrogant, God shows mercy and kindness to those who are humble.

Verse#7

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.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

1 John 2:16

Explanation

This verse in the Bible states that pride and the world’s desire for the wrong things are caused by the eyes and the heart. Pride comes from an attraction to the world. God isn’t the cause of pride. God is the cause of humbleness, affection, and compassion.

Verse#8

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Romans 12:3

Explanation

In this Bible verse, Paul warns us not to believe ourselves too wise. We believe we are something great, but this is a misconception. We have to be humble. We don’t know everything but God knows. Therefore, one must obey God’s instructions and avoid pride.

Verse#9

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

2 Timothy 3:2

Explanation

In this verse, Paul states that those who love money and are greedy will become proud. That’s why, the love of money should not be in the heart, a person who loves others and helps them is humble.

Verse#10

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Galatians 6:3

Explanation

In this verse, Paul explains that a man believes he is extremely wise, but in reality he is a fool .Only God has complete authority on His creature and He is wise . If a person begins to believe that he is amazing he is deceiving himself.

Pride Which Leads to Judgment

Verse#11

Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Ezekiel 28:17

Explanation

The verse mentions Satan’s pride. He considered himself incredibly powerful. He believed he was extremely intelligent and could do anything with his strength and intelligence, but he was totally wrong, and God punished him as a result of his pride.

Verse#12

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Proverbs 15:25

Explanation

According to this Bible verse, Solomon says that those who are gentle will have beautiful and permanent houses. However, He will punish those who are arrogant and destroy their homes.

Verse#13

How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Isaiah 14:12-15

Explanation

In this bible verse, Isaiah says that Satan was arrogant and tried to elevate himself above God. He thought that he was very powerful and that he would elevate his throne above the throne of God through his power, but it did not happen. God and His righteous angels defeated Satan and destroyed his pride.

Verse#14

But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory. He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like the ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Daniel 5:20-21

Explanation

In this bible verse, it is mentioned about the king of Babylon. He was proud so God punished him. His mind acts like animals and he used to live like them and eat grass. God kept him in this condition until he accepted that God is the real king and all power belongs to God but a human being is weak.

Verse#15

On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.

Book

Old-Testament

Reference

Zephaniah 3:11

Explanation

The verse states that God will fairly separate those who are pride from the humble person. Because of the presence of the proud, the humble will not suffer punishment. The arrogant will be destroyed by God, and the humble will be honored.

Verse#16

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Matthew 7:21-23

Explanation

‍In this bible verse, Jesus says that people should not only believe in God and call on His name, but should also follow His commandments, be humble and avoid arrogance. If a person does not follow these orders, Jesus will not recognize him on that Day but these people will be those who follow the path shown by Satan. Those who only talk and do not act are not believers. A believer always listens God’s order and lives accordingly.

Verse#17

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Romans 1:28-30

Explanation

Paul claims in this verse that God leads people astray if they disobey his commands and do not try to understand him. These individuals do a variety of sins. They disrespect their parents, are arrogant, cheat, commit adultery, murder, backbite, and create new evil ways. They will pay a cost for their actions.

Verse#18

He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

2 Thessalonians 2:4

Explanation

This verse describes an arrogant person who believes he is superior to God. Although he is welcoming death and will be ruined because he believes that he is superior to God.

Verse#19

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!

Book

New-Testament

Reference

1 Corinthians 10:12

Explanation

A person who states, I am not proud and have full faith in God, is being advised in this biblical verse. Because a single mistake could lead to astray, this person should remain steadfast and not be proud at all. Following the path of goodness requires an abundance of effort.

Verse#20

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

Book

New-Testament

Reference

Revelation 3:17

Explanation

This bible verse describes a prideful person who says, I am very wealthy and I don’t need anything else. In reality, that individual is naked, blind, and poor. A person who has an obsession for money in his heart got astray from God’s path and becomes arrogant. A person should remember that pride ruins people.

Pride And 14 Biblical Personalities

Pharaoh

The Israelites were frequently oppressed by Pharaoh. The pharaoh was very proud of his wealth and power. Pharaoh used to claim he was unaware of any god. Then, because of his arrogance, God punished him.

Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” (Exodus 5:2)

Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar was too proud of his great empire, so God punished him due to his pride. His intellect was lost and he started living like an animal. 

He said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.” (Daniel 4:30-33)

Goliath

Goliath was very proud. He despised Israelis a lot. Through David, God defeated him and crushed his pride. 

“Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” (1 Samuel 17:44-45)

Haman

The prime minister, Haman, was an arrogant man. He had enmity with Mordecai and in this enmity he planned to kill all the Jews but God murdered him through Esther’s courage.

Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. “And that’s not all,” Haman added. “I’m the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” (Esther 5:11-13)

King Saul

Samuel chose Saul as the first king of Israel; saul became proud of his kingdom and disobeyed God’s command. Because of his arrogance and disobedience, God ruined him and expelled him from the kingdom.

“Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.” When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.” But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” “Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; wage war against them until you have wiped them out.’ Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?” “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.” But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:12-23)

Lucifer

Lucifer was the name of Satan in heaven. He became proud of his power and disobeyed God in order to gain a higher status than God. God defeated him and kicked him out of heaven. 

“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. (Isaiah 14:12-15)

Babel Builders

The Builders of Babylon started to build a high tower to build their fame. If someone wants his fame, it means that he is proud. God reduced their pride to dust.

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”  (Genesis 11:4-9)

Herod Agrippa

Herod Agrippa was very selfish and because of his little mistake he had to be punished.

On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”  (Acts 12:21-23)

Cain

God accepted Abel’s sacrifice instead of Cain’s. Cain said that his sacrifice was worthy of acceptance. Jealousy arose in his heart and he considered himself to be the best and perfect, due to which pride grew in him. Because of this jealousy and pride, he killed Abel and he had to bear the punishment for the rest of his life.

“But on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:5-7)

Simon

Simon was very proud of his wealth. He thought that with wealth a person can buy everything. Once he saw the Holy Spirit with Peter. Simon said, Can money buy the Holy Spirit? Peter got very angry and tried to explain to him that one should not be proud of money because not everything can be bought with money. 

“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.” (Acts 8:18-21)

Pharisee

The Pharisee considered himself a great and good person because he had done one good deed. Being proud of goodness also ruins a person. He despised the tax collector and was proud of his own goodness. On which God chose the one who was humble, meaning that he preferred the tax collector over the Pharisee. 

The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ (Luke 18:11-12)

Ananias And Sapphira

Ananias and Sapphira said to show themselves that they wanted to give part of their property to God, but lied and said that we sold all the land we had and this part of it is in God’s way. It was very little while they sold that land for a lot of money but they wanted to show off and were proud of their goodness. Because of which they were punished. 

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet. Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.” (Acts 5:1-10)

Delilah

Delilah was very proud of her beauty. She also took away Samson’s strength because of this beauty but she herself was destroyed.

After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I’ll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison.” (Judges 16:19-21)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

These Bible verses say that pride is extremely harmful. A prideful person makes mistakes and suffers a lot of losses as a result. The arrogant are disliked by God, he used to isolate Himself from them. God destroys the arrogant and grants favor to the humble.