One of the most commonly discussed topics in the Bible is pride, which is frequently characterized as a fundamental sin that results in ruin.
The Bible cautions that pride generates arrogance that separates us from humility and obedience, lifts the heart above God, and blinds people to the truth. God’s Word constantly reminds us that genuine greatness is found in humility, dependence on Him, and service to others, despite the world’s frequent celebration of self-exaltation and personal glory.
Pride and humility are contrasted throughout the Old and New Testaments. The humble recognize their need for God’s direction and grace, while the proud rely on their own knowledge, riches, or power.
The Bible demonstrates that humility leads to dignity, blessings, and divine favor, but hubris inevitably results in fall, as demonstrated by the fall of kings and Jesus’ teachings. These timeless lessons serve as a reminder to examine our hearts and live according to God’s desire.
We shall examine God’s views on boastfulness, conceit, and self-reliance as well as the advantages of humility in this compilation of potent Bible texts about pride. These verses point us in the direction of a life characterized by grace and wisdom while both warning and encouraging us. These Scriptures operate as a spiritual compass, guiding us back to God’s ideal standard of character, regardless of whether you personally battle with pride or strive to become more humble.
40 Powerful Bible Verses About Pride (2025)
1. Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This well-known verse captures the dangerous outcome of unchecked pride. The Bible makes it clear that arrogance blinds us to reality and leads to downfall. Pride inflates self-importance, but humility grounds us in truth. This verse serves as both a warning and a call to humility, reminding us that prideful living brings inevitable ruin.
2. James 4:6
“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
James highlights the divine posture toward pride: God actively resists it. Pride erects a barrier between us and God, while humility attracts His grace. This verse underscores that living in humility is not weakness but strength, as it aligns us with divine favor. It teaches that pride may seem powerful, but only humility opens the door to God’s blessings.
3. Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Pride brings shame, but humility produces wisdom. This contrast shows the spiritual principle that arrogance clouds judgment while humility sharpens discernment. The verse invites us to seek wisdom by rejecting prideful thinking and embracing a teachable, humble heart.
4. 1 Peter 5:6
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Peter reminds believers that humility is not self-deprecation but surrendering to God’s authority. By humbling ourselves under His hand, we trust His timing and His power to elevate us. Pride seeks to lift itself up, but humility waits on God’s exaltation.
5. Proverbs 29:23
“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”
This verse emphasizes the reversal that pride and humility bring. The proud are eventually humbled, but those who walk in humility are lifted up with honor. It reflects God’s consistent principle of exalting the humble and humbling the arrogant.
6. Jeremiah 9:23
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches.”
Here, Jeremiah rebukes misplaced confidence in human ability, strength, or wealth. Pride in such temporary things blinds us to the eternal reality that only God deserves glory. True boasting should not be in self-achievements but in knowing the Lord.
7. 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.”
God warns Edom that pride deceives. The nation’s false sense of security from its location and strength led to arrogance. Pride often deceives us into thinking we are untouchable, but Scripture reminds us that no fortress is greater than God’s judgment.
8. Psalm 10:4
“In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.”
This verse reveals that pride leads to godlessness. When people are consumed by arrogance, they leave no space for God in their lives. Pride fuels self-sufficiency, which distances us from the Creator who sustains us.
9. 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 proclaims a sobering truth: God has appointed a day of reckoning for pride. No matter how exalted people may appear, pride will be humbled before the Lord. This verse warns us of the futility of arrogance and calls us to reverence.
10. Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
Wisdom speaks in Proverbs, declaring hatred for pride. This shows that pride is not just a flaw but a sin God Himself despises. Those who fear the Lord are called to reject pride and embrace humility, recognizing its destructive spiritual nature.
11. Proverbs 21:4
“Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”
This verse likens pride to an unplowed field, suggesting barrenness and fruitlessness. Pride shuts out the work of God in our lives, leaving the soil of our hearts unprepared for growth. Haughty eyes and a proud heart do not produce the fruit of righteousness but instead cultivate sin. The metaphor teaches us that pride prevents spiritual productivity, while humility allows God’s Spirit to plow, plant, and bring forth lasting fruit. By rejecting pride, we make our hearts fertile ground for God’s word and blessing.
12. Psalm 138:6
“Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.”
This verse contrasts God’s majesty with His heart for the humble. Despite His exalted nature, God is close to the lowly but distant from the proud. Pride creates spiritual distance from God, while humility draws His nearness. It reveals God’s character as one who honors humility and resists arrogance. The proud seek to elevate themselves, but God, who alone is truly exalted, lifts up those who walk in lowliness.
13. Proverbs 30:12-13
“Those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful.”
Here, Agur describes a generation blinded by pride—believing themselves pure while remaining in sin. Pride blinds us to self-examination, convincing us of our righteousness while hiding our flaws. The disdainful glance reflects an attitude of superiority toward others. This verse is a powerful warning against self-righteousness, showing that pride is often the enemy of repentance. Only through humility can we see ourselves rightly and seek God’s cleansing.
14. Isaiah 13:11
“I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.”
God declares His judgment against global arrogance. Pride is not only a personal sin but also a collective one seen in nations and societies that exalt themselves against God. This verse reveals the seriousness with which God views pride—it is not tolerated but confronted. Arrogance invites divine judgment, while humility aligns us with God’s mercy. The text reminds us that no individual, ruler, or nation can stand proudly against God without facing consequences.
15. 2 Chronicles 26:16
“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God.”
King Uzziah’s story illustrates how success can breed pride, leading to spiritual downfall. Once blessed and strengthened by God, he allowed arrogance to creep in and overstep God’s boundaries. His downfall teaches us that pride can turn blessings into curses when we forget the source of our strength. This verse is a sober reminder that humility is essential to sustaining God’s favor, no matter how much success we achieve.
16. Proverbs 16:5
“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”
This verse strongly declares God’s hatred for pride. It is not a minor weakness but something detestable to Him. Pride directly opposes God’s nature and will always bring consequences. While humans may excuse arrogance as confidence or strength, God sees it as rebellion. This verse should stir holy fear, reminding us that God’s justice will not allow pride to go unchecked.
17. Daniel 4:37
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.”
King Nebuchadnezzar speaks from personal experience after being humbled by God. Once proud of his kingdom, he was stripped of his sanity and power until he acknowledged God’s sovereignty. His testimony reveals that no one is beyond God’s ability to humble. This verse is both a warning and a testimony of hope—God humbles the proud, but He also restores when repentance follows.
18. Hosea 13:6
“When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.”
Hosea laments how Israel’s blessings led to spiritual pride. Instead of gratitude, abundance birthed arrogance and forgetfulness of God. This pattern still applies today—when life is comfortable, we risk relying on ourselves rather than God. The verse warns us that pride often grows in seasons of prosperity, and we must remain humble and thankful to avoid spiritual complacency.
19. Psalm 31:23
“Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full.”
This verse contrasts God’s treatment of the faithful and the proud. His protection covers those who remain true to Him, but pride earns just recompense. It reassures us that humility and faithfulness are rewarded while pride brings consequences. The psalmist invites us to choose love and loyalty to God rather than arrogance that provokes His discipline.
20. Proverbs 27:2
“Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.”
This verse cautions against self-praise, one of pride’s most common expressions. True honor comes from God and from others, not from self-promotion. Boasting only inflates the ego, but humility allows recognition to come in its rightful time. The verse encourages modesty, teaching us that living with quiet faithfulness is more honorable than drawing attention to ourselves.
21. 1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Paul teaches that genuine love is incompatible with pride. Pride seeks to elevate the self, but love seeks to serve others. Boasting and arrogance corrupt relationships, while humility strengthens them. This verse shows us that true love requires setting aside pride to cultivate patience, kindness, and humility. Where pride divides, love unites.
22. Philippians 2:3
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
Paul calls believers to humility by rejecting selfish ambition and conceit. Pride puts self-interest first, but Christlike humility puts others first. This verse is not about neglecting our worth but about recognizing the greater call to serve others with honor. In doing so, we reflect the humility of Jesus Himself.
23. 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.”
Paul cautions against inflated self-importance. Pride distorts our view of ourselves, but humility restores balance. This verse encourages sober judgment—seeing ourselves neither as greater nor lesser than we are, but with truth. True humility is grounded in recognizing our identity in Christ, not in comparison with others.
24. 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, and by him deeds are weighed.”
Hannah’s prayer reminds us that God weighs both our words and deeds. Prideful speech is empty before Him, because He knows the truth of our hearts. Arrogance may deceive others, but never God. This verse teaches that humility begins with speech that honors God and reflects sincerity rather than arrogance.
25. 2 Timothy 3:2
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
Paul describes pride as a hallmark of end-time wickedness. Pride here is linked with selfishness, greed, and ungratefulness. It reveals how pride corrupts society and relationships, leading people away from God. This verse is a warning that pride is not an isolated sin but often the root of many others.
26. Proverbs 18:12
“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
This proverb emphasizes a recurring biblical theme: pride precedes destruction, while humility precedes honor. Pride sets us up for failure, but humility prepares us for God’s blessing. It reminds us that the path to true honor is not through self-exaltation but through humble obedience to God.
27. Isaiah 23:9
“The Lord Almighty planned it, to bring down her pride in all her splendor and to humble all who are renowned on the earth.”
Isaiah reveals God’s sovereignty in humbling pride. Even the most powerful nations and leaders cannot escape His judgment when arrogance takes root. This verse shows us that pride is not only a personal sin but a global issue. God’s plan includes the humbling of human arrogance to reveal His glory.
28. Luke 14:11
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus makes a profound statement about the kingdom of God: self-exaltation leads to humiliation, but humility leads to exaltation. This reversal reflects God’s values, which are often opposite of worldly thinking. The proud seek recognition, but God honors those who quietly walk in humility.
29. Proverbs 25:27
“It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.”
This verse uses honey as a metaphor for excess and self-indulgence. Just as too much honey makes one sick, so too does overindulgence in self-seeking pride. Pride makes us pursue recognition or knowledge for self-glory rather than God’s glory. True honor comes not from excess but from moderation and humility.
30. Job 40:11-12
“Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand.”
In God’s dialogue with Job, He emphasizes His power to humble the proud. This verse shows the absolute authority of God over human arrogance. Pride may resist correction, but it cannot withstand divine judgment. It reminds us that only God has the right to exalt or humble, and human pride will always bow before His sovereignty.
31. Jeremiah 49:16
“The terror you inspire and the pride of your heart have deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks, who occupy the heights of the hill. Though you build your nest as high as the eagle’s, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.”
God speaks against Edom’s pride, which gave them a false sense of invincibility. Pride deceives by convincing us we are untouchable, but God reminds us that no human security or position is beyond His reach. This verse illustrates how pride blinds us to reality and ultimately leads to downfall.
32. Psalm 59:12
“For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter.”
Here, David prays that the pride of the wicked would become their downfall. Pride often manifests in words—boasting, lying, or cursing. This verse shows that pride is not just an inward posture but also an outward expression that can entrap the arrogant. It is a reminder that our speech reflects the state of our hearts.
33. Proverbs 26:12
“Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.”
This proverb reveals the danger of self-deception through pride. When we consider ourselves wise, we close ourselves off from learning and correction. Pride creates a blindness more dangerous than ignorance because it resists growth. The verse warns us that teachability and humility are essential for wisdom.
34. Habakkuk 2:4
“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”
Habakkuk contrasts the proud with the righteous. Pride inflates the soul, making desires crooked and misaligned with God’s will. In contrast, righteousness comes from faith and humility. This verse reminds us that true life is not found in prideful striving but in humble faithfulness before God.
35. Zephaniah 3:11
“On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame for all the wrongs you have done to me, because I will remove from you your arrogant boasters. Never again will you be haughty on my holy hill.”
God promises to cleanse His people of arrogance. Pride is incompatible with God’s holy presence, and He will remove it to restore His people. This verse is both a warning and a hope—that God deals with pride not to destroy His people but to purify them for His glory.
36. Proverbs 6:16-17
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood…”
The list begins with “haughty eyes,” showing pride’s severity in God’s sight. Arrogance is not a small matter but something God hates because it breeds sin and destruction. This verse underscores that pride is foundational to many other sins, making it deeply offensive to God.
37. Isaiah 25:11
“They will spread out their hands in it, as a swimmer spreads out his hands to swim. God will bring down their pride despite the cleverness of their hands.”
Isaiah describes how God will humble human pride despite all cleverness or effort to resist. Human ingenuity cannot outmaneuver God’s judgment. This verse reminds us that pride often gives a false sense of control, but God alone has the final authority.
38. 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.”
John identifies pride of life as a worldly temptation opposed to God. Pride is grouped with lust, showing its corrupting power. It is a force that distracts believers from living in alignment with the Father. This verse teaches us to resist pride as part of spiritual warfare against worldliness.
39. Proverbs 15:25
“The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.”
God actively opposes the proud but defends the vulnerable. Pride leads to collapse, while humility attracts God’s protection. This verse contrasts God’s justice: He destroys the self-exalted and upholds the lowly. It reassures us that humility and dependence on God secure His care.
40. Galatians 6:3
“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”
Paul exposes pride as self-deception. Pride convinces us that we are more significant than we truly are, leading to arrogance and folly. This verse calls us to humility by recognizing our dependence on God’s grace. True greatness is not in self-exaltation but in walking faithfully with God.
Conclusion
Pride is a poisonous power that distances us from God and prevents us from seeing His truth, as the Bible makes abundantly evident. Scripture repeatedly cautions that although pride leads to disaster, humility leads to blessings, grace, and wisdom. These passages remind us that praising our own abilities or accomplishments is meaningless, but relying on God enables us to live in genuine glory and tranquility. Pride aims to elevate oneself, but humility elevates the Lord, and that is the attitude He wants His people to have.
We are urged to examine our minds and give God control over our areas of independence as we consider these Bible scriptures regarding pride. Under God’s direction, choosing humility is a sign of strength rather than weakness. He will eventually raise us up when we humble ourselves before Him, bestowing favor and fostering our spiritual development. May these verses encourage us to put aside our arrogance and live humbly every day, honoring God and blessing others in the process.
