The Bible is filled with verses about humility and pride. These are two very different things, and they are both important in the Christian life.
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.- James 1:25-27 (ESV)
Bible verses about humility and pride
Pride is one of the most dangerous sins, because it can take us from being a child of God to being an enemy of God. Pride is serious business. It’s not just a matter of being “too big for your britches” or “thinking you are better than everyone else.” Pride is about lifting yourself up to become your own god. When you think that you are better than others, you have made yourself into a god and set yourself up in direct opposition to God Himself.
In the Bible, pride is often associated with self-worship or idolatry (making something other than God the object of worship). In fact, there’s an entire chapter in Proverbs devoted to warning against pride: “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Proverbs 16:18).
Humility is the opposite of pride. Instead of lifting ourselves up to become our own god, humility means lowering ourselves down before God — recognizing His greatness and our own smallness in comparison.
The Bible tells us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). We are told that “God opposes the proud but gives grace
Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. Proverbs 3:7-10
The Bible contains many verses about pride and humility. Pride can come from a sense of self-importance or by putting yourself before others. On the other hand, humility is having a low opinion of yourself or lowering your status in order to show respect for others.
If you know how to be a friend, you will also know how to be great. The one who knows how to be a friend is great because he has learned how to love and be loved in return. In fact, if we want to be great, we must first learn how to love. And if we want to learn how to love, we must first learn how to be humble.
—St. Augustine, Confessions
1 Corinthians 13:4-6: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Proverbs 16:18: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
- Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. -Proverbs 16:18
- Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.-Proverbs 16:18
- In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. -Proverbs 29:6
- The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.-Proverbs 22:7
The Bible has many verses about humility. Here are some of our favorites:
“But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.” (1 Peter 4:16)
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
“But God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NIV)
“The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17 (ESV)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 (ESV)
“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:24-25 (ESV)
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why I take pleasure in weaknesses
But God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
“Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
1 Timothy 6:12: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
2 Corinthians 5:6-7: “Therefore we are always confident and know that [God] who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:3-4: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Bible verse about pride and ego
The Bible is filled with passages that show us how to live a life of humility, peace, and joy. But it also has some very specific instructions on how to be humble in your leadership.
Here are some of the most insightful scriptures on humility in leadership:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).
“He who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
“Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ . . . for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16-17).
The Bible is filled with verses about pride and ego. Here are some of the most powerful ones:
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18)
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV)
But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate me love death (Proverbs 8:36).
A humble man is one who knows his limitations. He is aware of his strengths and weaknesses and he accepts that he cannot do everything on his own. He has a sense of reverence for God and other people. Pride leads to destruction, but humility gives life to everything it touches (Proverbs 11:2).
A man’s pride brings him low, But a man of lowly spirit gains honor (Proverbs 29:23).
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling (Proverbs 16:18).
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time…For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died…through your good works. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need…to the glory and praise of God (Ephesians 4:1-29).
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” -Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
“The wicked flee when no man pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1
“By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” – Proverbs 13:10
“The sluggard’s appetite is never filled; but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” – Proverbs 13:4
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
1 Timothy 3:6
But if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God? 7 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 8 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 9 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 10 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 11 And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. 12 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate and faithful in all things. 13 Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 14 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.* 15 I hope to come to you soon; but I am writing these instructions to you
Bible verse about humility in leadership
The Bible is full of verses that instruct us to be humble. The Bible is also full of verses that instruct us to be proud. So how do we know what God wants us to do?
The answer lies in understanding the difference between humility and pride. Humility is about recognizing our own sinfulness and inadequacy, whereas pride is about thinking more highly of ourselves than we should.
Humility can be a good thing; when it comes from a place of self-awareness and knowledge of our own weaknesses, it’s an essential part of any leader’s character. But humility without knowledge can lead to disastrous consequences for those who don’t know their limits or understand how little they actually know about anything at all.
The Bible is full of verses about humility and pride. If you are a leader, it is important to understand the differences between these two characteristics.
The Bible says that pride goes before destruction, while humility brings honor (Proverbs 16:18). Pride will cause us to think that we are better than others and can do things on our own. It causes us to live in our own little world and not seek help from others.
Pride leads us to believe that we know everything there is to know about something. This makes it difficult for us to receive feedback from others. Humility makes us realize that we don’t know everything and allows us to listen when someone else gives us advice or tells us how they feel about something.
Humility allows us to be honest with ourselves about our weaknesses and limitations so we can ask for help when needed. Pride keeps us from admitting when we need help because it makes us think that we are perfect and do not have any weaknesses or limitations at all (even though this is untrue).
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18
“The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.” Proverbs 10:8
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 NASB
“A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs 29:23 KJV
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 ESV
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we are enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:8-10 ESV