Bible Verses About Pride

Bible verses warning against pride and self-exaltation. Scripture consistently teaches that pride goes before destruction, God opposes the proud, and true greatness comes through humility.

King James Version
18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
6But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:6
5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5
2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
3Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Philippians 2:3
3The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?
Obadiah 1:3
23A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 29:23
12For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:
Isaiah 2:12
37Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Daniel 4:37
11For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 14:11

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HumilityWisdomSpiritual Growth

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about pride?

Proverbs 16:18 warns 'Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.' James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 both declare that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride is consistently listed among the sins God hates (Proverbs 6:16-17) and is presented as the root of many other sins.

Why does God oppose pride?

Pride places self on the throne that belongs to God alone. It claims credit for what God has given, refuses to acknowledge dependence on the Creator, and looks down on others made in God's image. Daniel 4:37 records Nebuchadnezzar's testimony after God humbled him: 'those that walk in pride he is able to abase.' Pride is essentially a refusal to worship God as God.

How can Christians recognize and combat pride?

Pride is subtle — Obadiah 1:3 says it deceives the heart. Signs include inability to accept correction, needing to be right, looking down on others, and taking credit for God-given abilities. The remedy is fixing our eyes on God's greatness (Isaiah 6:5), serving others (Philippians 2:3-4), remembering we have nothing we did not receive (1 Corinthians 4:7), and practicing the discipline of confession and accountability.