Pride is one of those tricky things.
It sneaks in when you least expect it, wrapping itself around your heart like a vine.
Sometimes, it disguises itself as confidence, but it’s something much deeper.
The Bible has a lot to say about pride—some of it encouraging, some of it a warning.
It is a topic that appears throughout Scripture, from the fall of Satan to the teachings of Jesus.
Pride can be a force for good when it’s about taking joy in God’s work, but it can also be destructive when it leads to arrogance.
So, what exactly does Scripture teach us about being prideful?
Let’s dig in and see what God’s Word reveals.
The Two Sides of Pride
Not all pride is bad.
There’s a kind of pride that comes from doing good work, from honoring God, and from taking care of others.
Paul even talks about boasting in the Lord in 2 Corinthians 10:17, which means giving God the credit for what He has done.
This kind of pride is about celebrating God’s goodness rather than our own achievements.
A healthy sense of pride can help us appreciate the gifts God has given us and encourage us to use them wisely.
However, when pride becomes self-centered, it turns into something dangerous.
This is the kind of pride that makes us believe we don’t need God, that we can do everything on our own.
It causes us to look down on others, thinking we are superior in some way.
And this is the pride the Bible warns us about.
Pride Comes Before the Fall
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Pride comes before the fall.”
That phrase comes from Proverbs 16:18, which states, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
When we let pride take over, it blinds us to our own weaknesses and faults.
We stop listening to advice, thinking we already know everything.
We refuse to acknowledge our mistakes, which can lead to even bigger problems.
History and Scripture both give us plenty of examples of people who allowed pride to lead to their downfall.
Think about King Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Daniel.
He was the most powerful ruler in the world, but he became so full of himself that he claimed all his success was his own doing.
What happened?
God humbled him, turning him into a wandering, wild man until he finally recognized that God was the true King in Daniel 4:28-37.
Pride took him high, but the fall was hard.
When we put ourselves above God, we set ourselves up for failure.
God Opposes the Proud but Lifts Up the Humble
God makes it very clear where He stands on pride.
James 4:6 says that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Opposition from God is serious business.
It means that when we are full of pride, we are setting ourselves against Him.
Pride puts us on a path that leads away from God, making it harder for us to hear His voice.
It creates a false sense of security, making us believe we are in control when we are not.
God desires humility because humility allows us to trust Him fully.
When we acknowledge our dependence on God, He blesses us.
Humility isn’t about thinking less of ourselves—it’s about thinking of God and others first.
It’s about shifting our focus from ourselves to the One who truly deserves all the glory.
And when we do that, God lifts us up in ways that pride never could.
The Devil’s First Sin Was Pride
Pride didn’t just appear out of nowhere.
It started with Satan himself.
Isaiah 14:12-15 describes the downfall of Lucifer, a beautiful angel who wanted to be greater than God.
Lucifer said in his heart that he would ascend to the heavens and raise his throne above the stars of God.
His pride led him to believe he could take God’s place.
But instead of rising higher, he was cast down.
Lucifer’s pride led to his fall, and he became Satan, the adversary of God and humanity.
This same kind of pride still tempts people today.
It makes us believe we don’t need God.
It whispers lies that we are in control and that we should put ourselves first.
But those lies always lead to destruction.
Pride is a dangerous trap, and Satan uses it to pull people away from God.
Jesus Showed Us a Better Way
If anyone had the right to be proud, it was Jesus.
He was God in the flesh.
He could have demanded worship and honor, but instead, He humbled Himself.
Philippians 2:5-8 tells us that Jesus “made himself nothing” and took the form of a servant.
He washed the feet of His disciples, a task usually reserved for the lowest servant.
He spent time with outcasts, touching the sick and eating with sinners.
And ultimately, He died on a cross—humbling Himself to the lowest point—so that we could be saved.
Jesus showed us that the greatest path isn’t upward—it’s downward.
It’s about serving instead of ruling.
It’s about humility instead of pride.
His life is the perfect example of what it means to walk in true greatness.
Pride and the Pharisees
The Pharisees were religious leaders who thought they had everything figured out.
They followed all the rules, they prayed loudly in public, and they wanted everyone to see how holy they were.
But Jesus wasn’t impressed.
In Luke 18:9-14, He told a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector.
The Pharisee stood proudly, thanking God that he wasn’t like “other sinners.”
The tax collector, on the other hand, bowed his head, beat his chest, and begged for mercy.
Jesus said that the humble tax collector, not the prideful Pharisee, was the one who was made right before God.
Why?
Because God sees the heart.
He knows when we are full of ourselves and when we are truly seeking Him.
The Pharisees thought they were close to God, but their pride kept them far from Him.
How to Overcome Pride
If pride is such a dangerous thing, how do we fight it?
The first step is admitting when we’re struggling with pride.
It’s not always easy to recognize, but asking ourselves tough questions can help.
Do I have a hard time accepting correction?
Do I think I’m better than others?
Do I find it difficult to admit when I’m wrong?
Honest self-reflection is key.
The more we focus on God’s greatness, the more we realize our need for Him.
Worship, prayer, and reading Scripture help keep our hearts humble.
Pride wants to be served, but humility chooses to serve.
Looking for ways to put others first, whether it’s helping a neighbor, forgiving someone, or simply listening more, can help weaken pride’s grip.
Jesus is the perfect example of humility.
When we follow His lead, we naturally move away from pride and toward a life that honors God.
Final Thoughts
Pride is a sneaky thing.
It can disguise itself as confidence, success, or even doing the right thing.
But if we let it take root in our hearts, it separates us from God.
The Bible warns us again and again that pride leads to destruction, but humility leads to blessing.
God doesn’t ask us to think less of ourselves—He asks us to think more of Him.
When we do that, we find true greatness in walking humbly with our Creator.
What about you?
Is there an area in your life where pride has crept in?
Take a moment to ask God for help.
He is always ready to lift up the humble.