Topical Encyclopedia Pride, a sin often highlighted in the Scriptures, is characterized by an inflated sense of one's own worth or abilities, often leading to a disregard for others and a rebellion against God. The Bible consistently warns against pride, emphasizing that those who harbor it will ultimately be brought low and into contempt.Biblical Warnings Against Pride The Bible is replete with admonitions against pride, illustrating its destructive nature and the divine judgment it incurs. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse succinctly captures the inevitable downfall that accompanies pride, serving as a cautionary reminder of its perilous end. Consequences of Pride Scripture provides numerous examples of individuals and nations brought into contempt due to their pride. One of the most notable is the account of King Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar, in his pride, declared, "Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30). As a result of his arrogance, God humbled him, causing him to live like a beast until he acknowledged God's sovereignty (Daniel 4:31-37). Similarly, the prophet Obadiah warns the nation of Edom of the consequences of their pride. "The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks, whose habitation is high, who say in your heart, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?'" (Obadiah 1:3). Despite their perceived invincibility, Edom was assured of their impending downfall due to their arrogance. Divine Opposition to the Proud The Bible makes it clear that God actively opposes the proud. James 4:6 declares, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'" This opposition is not merely passive but involves active measures to humble those who exalt themselves. Pride Leading to Contempt The ultimate fate of the proud is to be brought into contempt, as their self-exaltation is met with divine judgment. Isaiah 2:11-12 proclaims, "The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men will be brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled." Call to Humility In contrast to pride, the Bible extols humility as a virtue that leads to honor and favor with God. Proverbs 22:4 states, "The rewards of humility and the fear of the LORD are wealth and honor and life." Believers are called to emulate Christ's humility, as described in Philippians 2:5-8, where Jesus, though being in very nature God, humbled Himself by taking on human form and submitting to death on a cross. In summary, the Bible's teachings on pride serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers of self-exaltation and the inevitable contempt that follows. Through these teachings, believers are encouraged to pursue humility, recognizing their dependence on God and the grace He extends to the humble. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 23:9The LORD of hosts has purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Acts iv. 36, 37 Jesus Sentenced Paul Before the Council. Ananias and Sapphira. The Conversion of the Jailor of Philippi. Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded. On the Catholic Faith The True Spirit of Missions. Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas The Wisdom of God in the Means Used to Propagate the Gospel. Resources What does the Bible say about hubris? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is pride a sin? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about how to humble yourself? | GotQuestions.org Pride: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Pride is Followed by Debasement Pride is Followed by Destruction Pride: A Characteristic: False Teachers Pride: A Characteristic: The Devil Pride: A Characteristic: The Wicked Pride: A Characteristic: The World Pride: A Hindrance to Improvement Pride: A Hindrance to Seeking God Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Pride: Hezekiah, in Displaying his Resources Pride: Leads Men to a Persecuting Spirit Pride: Leads Men to Contempt and Rejection of God's Word and Ministers Pride: Leads Men to Contention Pride: Leads Men to Self-Deception Pride: Naaman, Refusing to Wash in the Jordan River Pride: Often Originates in Inexperience Pride: Often Originates in Possession of Power Pride: Often Originates in Possession of Wealth Pride: Often Originates in Religious Privileges Pride: Often Originates in Self-Righteousness Pride: Often Originates in Unsanctified Knowledge Pride: Saints: Hate, in Others Pride: Saints: Mourn Over, in Others Pride: Saints: Respect Not, in Others Pride: Shall Abound in the Last Days Pride: The Wicked Encompassed With Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Abased Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Brought Into Contempt Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Brought Low Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Marred Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Punished Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Recompensed Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Resisted Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Scattered Pride: They Who are Guilty of, Shall Be: Subdued Related Terms |
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