Today we will talk about bible verses about pride. Many Christians do not know what this means. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s word. Pride is a quiet voice in our heart that tells us we can do fine on our own. The Bible speaks plainly about pride — how it harms us, how it separates us from God, and how humility opens the door to God’s grace. As we read these bible verses about pride, let us listen with soft hearts. We want to learn, to be encouraged, and to change. We look for truth, not shame. We seek the gentle teaching of Scripture that brings healing and new direction. Let us come together, humble and open, ready to let God shape our lives. Read slowly, pray quietly, and let the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts as we study these bible verses about pride.
bible verses about pride
Key Verse
Before we dive into our subtopics, we pick a guiding verse that captures the heart of bible verses about pride. This verse is a classic warning and a call to self-check. Keep it near your heart as we reflect on the fuller teaching that follows.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
bible verses about pride
Pride Brings a Fall
When we examine bible verses about pride, one clear theme is that pride leads to a fall. We can picture pride as a loose stone in our shoe — it starts small, but it causes pain and makes us stumble. In this subtopic we will learn how Scripture warns us that pride doesn’t just hurt others; it first harms us. We want to watch our hearts and notice when we begin to think more highly of ourselves than we should. The Bible doesn’t ask us to feel shame for being human, but it does invite us to honest self-awareness. Through these bible verses about pride, we are reminded that God sees pride and responds by allowing correction or by humbling the proud. We do not seek pride’s path because it sets us against God and other people. Instead, we learn through God’s word that falling because of pride can be a wake-up call — a chance to repent and grow. We will reflect on these bible verses about pride not to condemn ourselves, but to learn to choose humility and wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.” – Proverbs 29:23 (NIV)
Isaiah 2:11
“The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.” – Isaiah 2:11 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:12
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” – 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV)
bible verses about pride
God Opposes the Proud
As we read bible verses about pride, we hear a strong, loving warning: God opposes the proud. That can sound harsh at first, but it comes out of God’s desire for our good. When we are proud, we turn away from God’s care and rely on ourselves. God resisting the proud is like a parent who won’t let a child play with danger — it’s corrective love. We who follow Christ want to be clear: God does not reject us permanently; rather, He challenges pride so we will return to dependence on Him. These bible verses about pride remind us that pride blocks grace. When we prefer our image, our plans, or our reputation above God’s ways, we miss the help and mercy God eagerly offers. As a community, we can gently call one another back to humility and point each other to grace. The goal of these bible verses about pride is not to make us fearful but to pull us toward life that comes when we yield to God’s grace instead of clinging to pride.
James 4:6
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ ” – James 4:6 (NIV)
1 Peter 5:5
“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ ” – 1 Peter 5:5 (NIV)
Proverbs 16:5
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” – Proverbs 16:5 (NIV)
Proverbs 3:34
“He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.” – Proverbs 3:34 (NIV)
Psalm 138:6
“Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.” – Psalm 138:6 (NIV)
bible verses about pride
Humility Versus Pride
When we study bible verses about pride, we see humility presented as the opposite choice — a life posture that draws us near to God. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves; it’s thinking of ourselves less. We want to grow in humility because it opens our hearts to others and to the Spirit’s gentle leading. In these bible verses about pride and humility, we find encouragement: God lifts those who lower themselves, and Jesus models humility every step of the way. As we read, we imagine practical ways to live humbly — listening more, admitting mistakes, serving quietly, and giving credit to God and others. These passages help us practice humility in everyday moments: at work, home, church, and online. We are not aiming for false modesty but for honest, Christlike humility. The bible verses about pride here will guide us back to steady, humble living that honors God and heals relationships.
Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12 (NIV)
Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11 (NIV)
Luke 18:14
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 18:14 (NIV)
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10 (NIV)
Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
bible verses about pride
Inner Attitudes: Heart Pride
As we go deeper into bible verses about pride, we discover that pride often lives in hidden places — our thoughts, motives, and secret comparisons. Heart pride is subtle. It can appear as irritation, envy, or a sense of superiority. These bible verses about pride invite us to honest self-examination. We can ask, “Why did I react that way? Was I wanting praise or control?” Our aim is to learn to spot pride in the soft corners of our life. We do this not with guilt but with curiosity and faith: curiosity to see truth and faith to believe God helps us change. When we practice quiet reflection and prayer, the Spirit reveals the prideful tendencies. Then, through confession and small choices toward humility, we begin to live differently. In learning from these bible verses about pride, we grow kinder, more available, and more real with God and others.
Psalm 10:4
“In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” – Psalm 10:4 (NIV)
Proverbs 21:4
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.” – Proverbs 21:4 (NIV)
Obadiah 1:3
“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?'” – Obadiah 1:3 (NIV)
Romans 12:3
“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.” – Romans 12:3 (NIV)
Jeremiah 9:23
“This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches.'” – Jeremiah 9:23 (NIV)
bible verses about pride
Pride, Wisdom, and Foolishness
When we read bible verses about pride, we see a connection between pride and foolish choices. Pride pretends to know more than God; it shuts down learning. Wisdom begins with the humility to admit we don’t have all the answers. These bible verses about pride teach that real wisdom comes from fearing the Lord and valuing truth over our ego. As a group, we can hold one another accountable by encouraging a learning spirit instead of boasting. The Bible points out that a proud heart becomes blind to correction, while a humble heart grows wiser through counsel and correction. We will take these bible verses about pride as a call to keep learning, to ask for help, and to accept correction with grace. That path leads to healthier relationships and deeper trust in God’s guidance.
Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” – Proverbs 8:13 (NIV)
Proverbs 26:12
“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” – Proverbs 26:12 (NIV)
Proverbs 18:12
“Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.” – Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)
Galatians 6:3
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” – Galatians 6:3 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 4:7
“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” – 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)
bible verses about pride
Pride, Wealth, and Status
Many bible verses about pride warn us against leaning on wealth and status for identity. When we make money, titles, or social standing the measure of our worth, pride grows. The Bible invites us to find our value in God, not in what others think of us. We can practice this by celebrating others, by giving generously, and by using our resources to serve. These bible verses about pride gently remind us that possessions can blind us and that pride of status can crumple under life’s tests. Rather than chasing applause, we choose faithfulness. As a community, we encourage one another to use gifts and money with humility, remembering that all we have is from God. These bible verses about pride guide us toward freedom: freedom from needing to prove ourselves and freedom to serve with open hands.
1 Corinthians 1:29
“So that no one may boast before him.” – 1 Corinthians 1:29 (NIV)
Luke 12:15
“Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’ ” – Luke 12:15 (NIV)
Proverbs 27:2
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.” – Proverbs 27:2 (NIV)
Amos 6:1
“Woe to you who are complacent in Zion and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!” – Amos 6:1 (NIV)
1 Timothy 6:17
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
