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Bible Verses About Pride
What does the Bible say about pride? That it goes before a fall, that God opposes the proud, and that humility is the wiser and safer way. Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6, Proverbs 11:2 are among the clearest passages.
Bible verses about pride
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Proverbs 16:18 · King James Version (public domain)
“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
James 4:6 · King James Version (public domain)
“When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:2 · King James Version (public domain)
“The pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
1 John 2:16 · King James Version (public domain)
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
Philippians 2:3 · King James Version (public domain)
Instead of selfish ambition, we are told to count others better than ourselves in lowliness of mind.
“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
Proverbs 29:23 · King James Version (public domain)
This proverb warns that pride brings a person low while humility leads to honor.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
1 Peter 5:6 · King James Version (public domain)
We are invited to humble ourselves under God's mighty hand and trust Him to lift us up in His time.
“Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
Proverbs 3:34 · King James Version (public domain)
God scorns the scornful but gives grace to the lowly, showing where His favor rests.
“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus teaches that whoever exalts himself will be humbled and the humble will be exalted.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
Philippians 2:5 · King James Version (public domain)
We are called to have the mind of Christ, who humbled Himself, as the true cure for pride.
“For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”
Galatians 6:3 · King James Version (public domain)
This verse exposes the emptiness of pride by reminding us that thinking we are something when we are nothing is self-deception.
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Romans 12:3 · King James Version (public domain)
Paul urges us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought but to see ourselves soberly.
“Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:”
Jeremiah 9:23 · King James Version (public domain)
This verse warns against glorying in our wisdom, strength, or riches, pointing us away from self-congratulation.
How these verses point to Christ
These verses are not slogans to prop yourself up. Every true word the Bible speaks about pride finds its yes in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). He is where pride, rightly understood, was always leading; come to Him and receive what no verse alone can give.
You do not have to carry this alone
On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.
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