# What does the Bible say about pride?

> What the Bible says about pride — Scripture-cited verses on God opposing the proud, a fall after haughtiness, and the call to humility, plus a next step.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/pride
By Andrew Kittridge, Founder of Lumin · August 26, 2026

Pride in Scripture is not healthy self-respect. It is the heart that will not come down: comparing, boasting, refusing to be taught. The Bible is blunt that God opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble, and that a haughty spirit is already on its way toward a fall.

## Pride in the Bible

- **Proverbs 16:18** — Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- **James 4:6** — God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
- **Philippians 2:3-5** — Do nothing from selfish ambition; in humility count others more significant, with the mind of Christ.
- **1 Peter 5:5-6** — Clothe yourselves with humility; humble yourselves under God’s hand, that he may lift you up.

## Highlighted verse

> Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
>
> — Proverbs 16:18 (King James Version)

## Reflection

Pride is often quieter than swagger. It can look like being unteachable, needing the last word, or despising people who need help. The gospel answer is not self-hatred. It is coming down far enough to receive grace, tell the truth, and treat other people as more than a mirror.

## One next step

Name one place you are defending an image. Apologize without a preface, or ask someone to correct you, and pray James 4:6 over the part of you that hates to be small.

## FAQ

### What is a key Bible verse about pride?

Proverbs 16:18: pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. James 4:6 says God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Philippians 2:3-5 points to the mind of Christ.

### How should Christians fight pride?

Come down far enough to receive grace: apologize without a preface, ask to be corrected, and stop treating other people as a mirror. The gospel answer is not self-hatred.

### Is self-respect the same as pride?

No. Pride in Scripture is the heart that will not come down — unteachable, comparing, refusing help. Healthy creaturely dignity is not what God opposes.

## Related questions

- [What does the Bible say about jealousy?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/jealousy.md)
- [What does the Bible say about identity?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/identity.md)
- [What does the Bible say about anger?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/anger.md)


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Answered by Lumin, a Christian AI app for iPhone and iPad that gives short, Scripture-cited
answers with one next step. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lumin-bible-ai-companion/id6754889412