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PRIDE & HUMILITY

What Is Pride? 

In English the word pride has two meanings: a spirit of conceit or superior worth (a negative quality)and a spirit of pleasing satisfaction or proper self-worth (a positive quality). In Greek, the it means “arrogant, proud or appearing above others.”  In the New Testament pride is...

In the New Testament, pride is consistently depicted as a destructive attitude that distances individuals from God and others. It represents an overestimation of oneself, a reliance on self rather than God, and a refusal to submit to His authority. Pride is often contrasted with humility, which is central to the Christian life.

Pride as Opposition to God’s Will

Pride elevates human desires and abilities above God’s sovereignty, leading to sin and separation from Him.

  • James 4:6: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."

    Pride places people in direct opposition to God, as it reflects self-exaltation and a refusal to acknowledge dependence on Him.

Pride as a Root of Sin

The New Testament shows that pride can lead to a multitude of sins, including judgment, greed, and rebellion.

  • Mark 7:20-22: Jesus says, "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come... pride, folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person."

    Pride corrupts the heart, producing actions and attitudes that oppose God’s standards.

Pride as Reliance on Self Instead of God

Pride in one’s abilities, status, or righteousness can lead to a rejection of God’s grace and dependence on human effort.

  • Luke 18:9-14: In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Pharisee’s pride in his religious observance contrasts with the tax collector’s humility. Jesus declares that the humble tax collector, who acknowledged his need for God’s mercy, was justified before God.

Pride as a Barrier to Unity and Love

The New Testament frequently warns against pride because it disrupts relationships, creates divisions, and hinders love among believers.

  • Philippians 2:3: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."

    Pride fosters self-centeredness, which contrasts sharply with Christ’s example of sacrificial love.

The Ultimate Example: Jesus’ Humility

Jesus serves as the ultimate contrast to pride, exemplifying humility and self-sacrifice.

  • Philippians 2:5-8: "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God... made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant... he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!"

    Jesus' humility demonstrates the antidote to pride and the path to true greatness in God’s kingdom.

Warnings Against Pride in the New Testament

  • Religious Pride:

    • Matthew 23:12: "For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

      Pride in religious practices or knowledge often blinds people to their spiritual need for God.

  • Worldly Pride:

    • 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 in worldly achievements or possessions reflects a love for the world rather than for God.

  • Boasting and Arrogance:

    • James 4:16: "As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil."

      Prideful boasting reveals a lack of dependence on God and a false sense of control over life.

The Bible clearly contrasts pride and humility—pride leads to destruction, while humility brings God’s favor and blessings. God calls us to walk in humility, acknowledging our dependence on Him, rather than exalting ourselves.

Pride Leads to Destruction

Pride is self-exaltation—it separates us from God, leading to sin, arrogance, and downfall.

🔹 Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) – “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”
✅ Pride makes people self-sufficient, rejecting God’s authority, which ultimately leads to downfall.

🔹 James 4:6 (NLT) – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
✅ Pride puts us in opposition to God, while humility allows us to receive His grace.

🔹 Proverbs 29:23 (NLT) – “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.”
✅ The proud will eventually be brought low, but the humble will be lifted up.

God Calls Us to Walk in Humility

Humility is not weakness—it is recognizing our need for God and submitting to His will.

🔹 Micah 6:8 (NLT) – “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
✅ God desires that we live righteously, show mercy, and remain humble before Him.

🔹 Philippians 2:3 (NLT) – “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
✅ True humility means putting others before ourselves rather than seeking personal recognition.

🔹 1 Peter 5:6 (NLT) – “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.”
✅ Humility allows God to elevate us in His perfect timing.

Jesus Is the Ultimate Example of Humility

Jesus, though fully God, humbled Himself to serve others and give His life for us.

🔹 Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) – “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.”
✅ If Jesus, being God Himself, humbled Himself, how much more should we?

🔹 Matthew 23:12 (NLT) – “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
✅ God honors those who choose humility over self-promotion.

Humility Leads to Wisdom & Blessings

A humble heart receives God’s wisdom, direction, and blessings.

🔹 Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) – “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
✅ Humility opens the door to wisdom and understanding.

🔹 Psalm 25:9 (NLT) – “He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them His way.”
✅ A humble person is teachable and open to God’s direction.

Choosing Humility Over Pride

To resist pride and grow in humility, we must:
✅ Acknowledge God’s sovereignty in everything.
✅ Serve others selflessly instead of seeking recognition.
✅ Be teachable and open to correction.
✅ Pray for a humble heart and rely on God daily.

Pride separates us from God, but humility draws us closer to Him. By following Christ’s example, we can walk in humility, receive His grace, and reflect His love to the world.

God’s Heart on Pride & Humility

God desires His people to walk in humility, recognizing our dependence on Him, rather than in pride, which leads to self-sufficiency and separation from Him. Throughout Scripture, God exalts the humble but resists the proud, emphasizing that a humble heart aligns with His will.

God Hates Pride

Pride is at the root of sin, causing people to trust in themselves rather than in God. It leads to rebellion, destruction, and separation from Him.

🔹 Proverbs 8:13 (NLT) – “All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.”
✅ Pride is evil in God’s eyes and is the opposite of a heart surrendered to Him.

🔹 James 4:6 (NLT) – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
✅ Pride places us in opposition to God, but humility allows us to receive His grace.

🔹 Proverbs 16:18 (NLT) – “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”
✅ Pride leads to downfall and destruction, while humility leads to elevation and honor.

God Delights in Humility

God blesses those who walk in humility, acknowledging their need for Him.

🔹 Micah 6:8 (NLT) – “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
✅ Humility is a requirement of God’s people—it keeps us in right relationship with Him.

🔹 Psalm 25:9 (NLT) – “He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them His way.”
✅ A humble heart is teachable and open to God’s direction.

🔹 1 Peter 5:6 (NLT) – “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.”
✅ God exalts those who humble themselves before Him.

Jesus Is the Perfect Example of Humility

Jesus, though God, chose humility as the path to obedience and redemption.

🔹 Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) – “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
✅ Jesus demonstrated humility through obedience, servanthood, and sacrifice—our lives should reflect the same attitude.

🔹 Matthew 11:29 (NLT) – “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
✅ Jesus models what true humility looks like—gentleness, teachability, and servanthood.

Choosing Humility Over Pride

To cultivate humility, we must:
✔ Recognize our need for God and surrender our self-sufficiency.
✔ Serve others instead of seeking personal gain.
✔ Remain teachable and open to correction.
✔ Give God the glory rather than taking credit for ourselves.

🔹 Matthew 23:12 (NLT) – “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
✅ True greatness comes from humility, not self-promotion.

💡 God’s heart is for His people to walk in humility, recognizing that all we have comes from Him. Pride separates us from Him, but humility draws us closer to His grace, wisdom, and blessing.

The Call to Humility

God calls His people to live in humility, recognizing that He alone is the source of wisdom, strength, and provision. Humility is not weakness—it is the posture of a heart fully surrendered to God, seeking His will above all.

Humility Is God’s Standard

From the beginning, God has required humility as a defining characteristic of His people.

🔹 Micah 6:8 (NLT) – “O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
✅ Walking humbly with God means acknowledging His authority over our lives.

🔹 James 4:10 (NLT) – “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.”
✅ True promotion comes not from self-exaltation but from a humble heart.

Jesus Modeled Ultimate Humility

Jesus, though fully God, demonstrated humility through His servanthood, obedience, and sacrifice.

🔹 Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) – “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
✅ Jesus chose humility as the path to obedience, demonstrating servanthood and sacrifice.

🔹 John 13:14-15 (NLT) – “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
✅ True humility serves others without seeking personal recognition.

God Opposes Pride and Exalts the Humble

Pride separates us from God, while humility draws us closer to His presence and blessing.

🔹 Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) – “Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
✅ Wisdom is born from humility, but pride leads to destruction.

🔹 1 Peter 5:5-6 (NLT) – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor.”
✅ God actively resists pride but pours out grace and honor on the humble.

Living Out Humility Daily

God calls us to intentionally cultivate humility in every area of life.

✔ Depend on God daily – Surrender every decision and trust in His wisdom.
✔ Serve others selflessly – Seek to uplift others rather than seeking recognition.
✔ Remain teachable – Be open to correction and God’s leading.
✔ Give God the glory – Acknowledge that every success and blessing comes from Him.

🔹 Matthew 23:12 (NLT) – “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
✅ True greatness is found in humility, not self-promotion.


💡 God calls us to a life of humility, following the example of Jesus. Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less and exalting God more. As we humble ourselves before Him, He lifts us up in His perfect time.

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