# 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 · Updated October 2, 2026
Verses are chosen for the question being asked. Scripture on this site is quoted from the Lumin Translation, the same text as the public reader and the iPhone Bible tab: Lumin’s own translation, drafted with AI from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, checked verse by verse against them, and approved by Lumin. Glosses in answers are original summaries, not a second Bible. Open the named passage; AI is not the interpreter. [How we cite Scripture](https://www.lumin.faith/about#how-we-cite)

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.

- [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md)
- [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md)


## Bible verses about pride

- **[Proverbs 16:18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/16#18)** — Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
- **[James 4:6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/james/4#6)** — God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
- **[Philippians 2:3-5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/philippians/2#3)** — Do nothing from selfish ambition; in humility count others more significant, with the mind of Christ.
- **[1 Peter 5:5-6](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-peter/5#5)** — Clothe yourselves with humility; humble yourselves under God’s hand, that he may lift you up.
- **[Proverbs 11:2](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/11#2)** — When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with the humble is wisdom.
- **[Luke 18:9-14](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/18#9)** — Jesus contrasts a proud Pharisee with a tax collector who begs for mercy, and the humble man goes home justified.
- **[Romans 12:3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/romans/12#3)** — Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought; think with sober judgment.
- **[Galatians 6:3](https://www.lumin.faith/read/galatians/6#3)** — If anyone thinks they are something when they are nothing, they deceive themselves.

## Highlighted verse

> Pride comes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
>
> — Proverbs 16:18 (Lumin Translation)

## 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 comes 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 humility?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/humility.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)

## Related guides

- [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md)
- [Make room to pray](https://www.lumin.faith/pray.md)


---

Ask, Bible Coach, Pray, and Sermon Week are the four jobs in Lumin. The app is for iPhone and iPad. App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lumin-bible-ai-companion/id6754889412
Ask on the web: https://www.lumin.faith/app
Browse answers: https://www.lumin.faith/answers.md