Pride is one of the most deceptive and destructive forces in the human heart. It disguises itself as confidence, independence, or self-worth, yet it often leads us away from humility and dependence on God. Scripture warns repeatedly that pride goes before destruction, while humility brings honor and blessing. Through God’s Word, we are reminded that true greatness is not found in self-exaltation, but in surrender to the Lord.
In every generation, pride has been the root cause of rebellion against God. From Lucifer’s fall to Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden, pride has distorted the human heart and fractured relationships with both God and others. It blinds us to our need for grace and prevents us from seeking repentance. The Bible exposes pride not merely as arrogance, but as a spiritual barrier that keeps us from walking in obedience.
However, God, in His mercy, reveals a better way. He calls us to embrace humility—acknowledging our dependence on Him and valuing others above ourselves. The humble heart is one that listens, learns, and loves. When we humble ourselves before the Lord, He exalts us in due time and grants us favor, wisdom, and peace.
These 35 powerful Bible verses about pride will help you understand how God views pride and the importance of humility. Each verse is a divine reminder that pride leads to downfall, but humility leads to grace. As you meditate on these scriptures, may your heart be transformed to reflect Christlike humility and dependence on God’s strength rather than your own.
35 Powerful Bible Verses About Pride in 2025
1. Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This verse is perhaps the most well-known warning about pride. It reveals a spiritual law—those who exalt themselves will eventually stumble. Pride inflates the ego and blinds the soul to correction, making failure inevitable. God allows such falls not to shame us, but to bring repentance. True wisdom lies in recognizing our weakness and submitting our hearts to His correction.
2. James 4:6
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
God’s posture toward pride is clear: He resists it. Pride sets us against God’s will, while humility draws His grace. The humble are teachable and aware of their need for God’s mercy, making them vessels for divine favor. This verse reminds us that pride blocks blessings, but humility invites divine partnership in every aspect of life.
3. Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Pride leads to humiliation because it causes us to depend on ourselves instead of God. Humility, however, opens the heart to divine insight. The proud believe they already know everything; the humble are always learning. True wisdom flows from a spirit that admits its limits and seeks God’s guidance.
4. 1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
This verse teaches that humility is not weakness—it’s spiritual strength under divine authority. When we willingly submit to God’s timing and plan, He exalts us at the right moment. Pride demands instant recognition, but humility trusts God’s process. Waiting under His mighty hand allows character, faith, and endurance to develop.
5. Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
God equates pride with evil because it resists His rule. A heart that reveres God naturally detests pride. This verse teaches that true reverence for the Lord involves rejecting arrogance and embracing righteousness. When we fear God, we turn from pride and cultivate a humble spirit aligned with His holiness.
6. Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Paul’s words challenge believers to live selflessly. Pride seeks personal gain; humility seeks others’ good. When we prioritize people over position, we reflect the heart of Christ. Genuine humility doesn’t deny our worth but honors others as equally valuable before God. This mindset builds unity and spiritual maturity within the body of Christ.
7. Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
Pride deceives us into thinking it leads to greatness, but it actually leads to downfall. God honors those who walk humbly, recognizing that every blessing comes from Him. The path of humility is paradoxical—it lowers us before God but lifts us before men. Lasting honor is found not in self-promotion but in submission to God’s will.
8. Luke 18:14
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus contrasts human pride with divine promotion. Pride seeks recognition and control, but humility earns divine approval. Those who seek to elevate themselves eventually fall, but those who serve quietly and faithfully are lifted by God. The kingdom of God values humility as the true mark of greatness.
9. Proverbs 16:5
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
Pride is not a minor flaw—it’s an attitude God detests. It elevates the self above God’s authority, leading to judgment. The proud of heart place confidence in their own strength rather than divine grace. This verse is a sober reminder that unchecked pride invites divine correction. True wisdom begins with repentance and a humble acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty.
10. Isaiah 2:12
“The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted—and they will be humbled.”
Isaiah warns that pride will one day be humbled under God’s judgment. Those who glorify themselves will bow before the glory of the Lord. Human power and prestige are fleeting, but humility endures eternally. This verse urges believers to live with reverent submission, remembering that every proud heart will ultimately confront God’s holiness and truth.
11. 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.”
The nation of Edom was deceived by self-reliance and false security. Pride blinds us to our vulnerabilities, convincing us we’re untouchable. This verse teaches that pride is self-deception—it builds confidence in things that can crumble overnight. Only humility, anchored in God’s protection, provides true stability and peace.
12. Romans 12:3
“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.”
Paul’s instruction encourages balanced self-awareness. Pride inflates our self-image; humility brings perspective. When we see ourselves through God’s eyes, we recognize both our weaknesses and His grace. This verse invites believers to walk in humility, recognizing that all gifts and successes are divine blessings, not grounds for boasting.
13. 1 Corinthians 4:7
“What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”
Paul reminds us that everything we possess—talent, wisdom, and opportunity—comes from God. Pride takes credit for what grace provides. Humility acknowledges dependence on the Giver. This verse calls us to gratitude and stewardship, not arrogance. Recognizing that all is received enables us to live with thanksgiving rather than self-exaltation.
14. Jeremiah 9:23–24
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches.”
This verse dismantles worldly pride built on intellect, power, or wealth. God values humility over human achievement. True boasting lies in knowing and understanding Him. Earthly pride fades, but a humble relationship with God brings eternal value. We are called to glory not in ourselves, but in the One who loves and redeems us.
15. Psalm 10:4
“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
Pride creates spiritual blindness—it removes the awareness of God’s presence. When the heart is full of self, there is no space for divine influence. This verse highlights how pride distances us from God’s fellowship. True humility invites Him in, acknowledging our daily need for His wisdom, mercy, and direction.
16. Proverbs 18:12
“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
This verse reveals a divine pattern: pride leads to ruin, humility leads to reward. God often humbles us before He honors us, shaping our hearts for blessing. Pride desires elevation without preparation, but humility allows growth through surrender. Lasting honor always begins with a heart bowed before God.
17. Daniel 4:37
“Those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
Nebuchadnezzar learned firsthand the danger of pride and the mercy of humility. God’s power surpasses all human authority, and He can humble even kings. This verse serves as a reminder that God disciplines in love to restore our hearts. Humility restores what pride destroys—it brings peace, wisdom, and renewed purpose.
18. 1 John 2:16
“For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Pride aligns with the world’s values, not God’s. It feeds on self-gratification and independence, separating us from divine truth. This verse warns believers to resist worldly pride and seek the humility that flows from God’s Spirit. Spiritual maturity is marked not by self-promotion, but by Christ-centered obedience.
19. Proverbs 21:4
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”
Pride is the soil where sin grows. A proud heart resists correction and breeds rebellion. This verse depicts pride as a field left uncultivated—barren of righteousness. God calls us to till our hearts with humility so that His Spirit may produce fruit. Without surrender, pride hardens the heart and stifles spiritual growth.
20. 2 Chronicles 26:16
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.”
King Uzziah’s story illustrates how success can breed pride if not anchored in humility. When we take credit for what God has done, downfall follows. This verse warns against forgetting the Source of our strength. Lasting success depends on continual dependence on God, not personal greatness.
21. Psalm 138:6
“Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.”
God’s greatness does not make Him distant—it draws Him to the humble. The proud, however, remain far from His presence. This verse beautifully contrasts human arrogance with divine compassion. God delights in the lowly, lifting those who walk humbly before Him. His eyes are ever on those who depend on His grace.
22. Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus repeats this timeless principle: humility leads to exaltation. Pride seeks status; humility seeks service. God reverses worldly hierarchies by honoring those who bow low. When we choose humility, we align ourselves with the heart of Christ, who humbled Himself even to the cross.
23. 2 Corinthians 10:17–18
“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
Paul teaches that true approval comes from God, not self-praise. Pride boasts of human achievement; humility glorifies the Lord. Our worth is not found in self-commendation but divine affirmation. This verse reminds us that our only boast should be in God’s faithfulness, not our performance.
24. Proverbs 27:2
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
Pride craves attention, but humility waits for recognition from others—or none at all. God honors a quiet spirit that serves faithfully without seeking applause. This verse cautions against self-promotion and encourages modesty in speech and action. True greatness never needs to announce itself.
25. Isaiah 13:11
“I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.”
God’s justice ensures that arrogance and oppression will not prevail. The proud may rise for a time, but divine judgment will humble them. This verse assures believers that God defends the humble and brings down those who exalt themselves unjustly. His sovereignty keeps the scales of righteousness balanced.
26. 1 Samuel 2:3
“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows.”
Hannah’s prayer warns that prideful speech reveals a heart out of alignment with God. The Lord sees beyond words and judges intentions. This verse calls us to speak with humility, aware that God knows every thought. A humble tongue is a reflection of a reverent heart.
27. Micah 6:8
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
God’s expectation is clear: justice, mercy, and humility. Pride opposes all three. Walking humbly means surrendering daily to God’s will, recognizing that all we have comes from Him. This verse summarizes the essence of a godly life—living justly with others and humbly before our Creator.
28. Proverbs 15:33
“Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.”
This verse links humility to true wisdom. Reverence for God produces a humble heart, and humility precedes promotion. Before God entrusts us with greater responsibility, He cultivates humility within us. Honor in God’s kingdom is never self-earned—it’s divinely granted to those who walk in obedience and reverence.
29. Isaiah 57:15
“I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit.”
God’s presence dwells not with the proud, but with the humble and repentant. His holiness is drawn to those who acknowledge their need for Him. This verse offers hope—no matter how broken we are, humility invites God’s nearness. Pride builds walls; humility opens doors to His presence.
30. Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands.”
Humility is the pathway to divine protection and favor. Seeking God requires surrender and obedience. This verse calls the humble to remain faithful amidst judgment, promising God’s covering for those who walk in righteousness. The proud seek control; the humble seek God’s will.
31. Job 22:29
“When people are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then he will save the downcast.”
God delights in restoring the humble. While pride isolates, humility opens the door to mercy and restoration. This verse reminds us that God raises the lowly in their time of need. When we humble ourselves before Him, He lifts us up and turns our trials into testimonies.
32. Matthew 23:12
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus reiterates the spiritual law of humility. Pride seeks elevation through comparison, but humility waits for God’s promotion. The humble are exalted not because of ambition, but because of obedience. God honors those who serve quietly, love deeply, and depend fully on Him.
33. Psalm 147:6
“The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
God sustains those who walk humbly, giving them strength in times of trial. The proud, however, face inevitable collapse. This verse shows that humility is a place of safety under God’s care. Dependence on Him brings peace, while pride leads to ruin.
34. Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Jesus begins the Beatitudes with humility—the foundation of godly living. “Poor in spirit” means recognizing our spiritual poverty apart from God. This attitude invites divine blessing and eternal reward. Pride closes the door to heaven’s kingdom, but humility opens it wide.
35. Galatians 6:3
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
Paul exposes the self-deception that pride creates. Overestimating ourselves blinds us to reality and grace. This verse reminds believers to walk in truth and self-awareness. Humility anchors us in God’s perspective, keeping our hearts teachable and our motives pure before Him.
Conclusion
Pride is subtle, yet its consequences are devastating. It hardens the heart, blinds the mind, and distances us from God’s grace. The Bible repeatedly warns that pride brings downfall, while humility invites blessing. God doesn’t merely prefer humility. He dwells with the humble, sustains them, and exalts them in His perfect timing. Every fall in Scripture can be traced back to pride, and every restoration begins with humility.
When we humble ourselves before God, we open the door for transformation. Humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves, it’s thinking of ourselves less. It is the acknowledgment that every gift, success, and opportunity comes from God alone. By surrendering our pride, we gain wisdom, peace, and intimacy with our Creator. God delights in hearts that depend on Him rather than their own strength.
As you meditate on these 35 powerful Bible verses about pride, remember that humility is the pathway to divine favor. The proud seek recognition, but the humble seek God. The proud stand tall before men, but the humble bow low before heaven and are lifted in due time. May we daily choose humility, walk in grace, and glorify God in every thought, word, and action.
