Topical Bible: The Punishment of the Wicked: On Account of Their: Pride

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Pride is frequently addressed in the Bible as a sin that leads to the downfall and punishment of the wicked. It is considered an abomination to God, as it elevates the self above others and, ultimately, above God Himself. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the consequences of pride and the divine judgment that follows.

Biblical Examples and Teachings:

1. Lucifer's Fall:
The origin of pride can be traced back to Lucifer, whose heart was lifted up because of his beauty and wisdom. His desire to ascend above God led to his downfall. Isaiah 14:12-15 describes this fall: "How you have fallen from heaven, O day star, son of the dawn! ... You said in your heart, 'I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God... But you will be brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.'"

2. The Tower of Babel:
The account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 illustrates human pride in attempting to make a name for themselves and reach the heavens. God confounded their language and scattered them across the earth as a punishment for their prideful ambition.

3. Nebuchadnezzar's Humbling:
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is another example of pride leading to divine punishment. In Daniel 4:30-32 , he boasts about his achievements, only to be humbled by God: "The king exclaimed, 'Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?' ... Immediately the word concerning Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind and began eating grass like an ox."

4. Pharaoh's Hardened Heart:
Pharaoh's pride and refusal to humble himself before God led to the plagues upon Egypt. Exodus 10:3 records Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh: "So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: "How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me."'"

5. Warnings in Proverbs:
The Book of Proverbs contains numerous warnings about pride and its consequences. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This proverbial wisdom underscores the inevitable downfall that follows pride.

6. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector:
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the dangers of pride through the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Luke 18:14 concludes the parable with a warning: "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Divine Judgment and Consequences:

The Bible consistently portrays pride as a sin that incurs God's judgment. The proud are often depicted as being brought low, experiencing shame, and facing destruction. James 4:6 reminds believers, "But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'"

Pride is not only a personal sin but also a societal one, leading to the downfall of nations and leaders who exalt themselves above God. The Scriptures call for humility and submission to God's will as the path to righteousness and divine favor.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 10:12
Why it shall come to pass, that when the Lord has performed his whole work on mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 24:21
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the LORD shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 14:11
For whoever exalts himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He ...
... to intimate that Saul's madness was a just punishment from God ... pleasure even in the
hearts of the wicked, at the ... they wished to do, thus taking account of their ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the instrumentality of.htm

The Heresy of Carpocrates; Wicked Doctrines Concerning Jesus ...
... XX."The Heresy of Carpocrates; Wicked Doctrines Concerning ... says) that on this account
(Jesus) received ... the passions incidental to men for their punishment. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xx the heresy of carpocrates.htm

Whether Death is the Punishment of Our First Parents' Sin?
... This is not on account of any merits or demerits previous to ... of death, except in
so far as it is a punishment. ... Dei xiii, 5), "just as the wicked abuse not only ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether death is the punishment.htm

Of the Reasons for Administering Correction to Bad and Good ...
... this world, though in eternity they quite escape punishment. ... earthly and temporal
things on account of which ... offend men whose polluted and wicked life greatly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 of the reasons for.htm

Whether Every Punishment is Inflicted for a Sin?
... and holdest Thy peace, when the wicked man oppresseth ... of nature which is itself the
punishment of original sin ... but they are of small account: whereas spiritual ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether every punishment is inflicted.htm

Shame on Account of God's Displeasure.
... speedy oblivion of the offence on account of which ... truth, has pronounced us to be
wicked and worthless ... of having merited the condemnation and punishment of such ...
/.../dods/how to become like christ/shame on account of gods.htm

The Counsel of Gamaliel.
... severe hardships, and cruel sufferings on account of their ... they paid no regard; and
the punishment inflicted upon ... remainder of the wrath of the wicked," by the ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture vii the counsel of.htm

City of God
... Because of Their Aerial Bodies, or on Account of Their ... Chapter 5.--As the Wicked
Make an Ill Use of ... Chapter 15.--Of the Justice of the Punishment with Which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/

Psalm CI.
... be feared by the wicked on account of punishment, to be ... man departed from me," that
is, when the wicked man was ... hath its banquets: for it was on account of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ci.htm

Of the Cruelty of the Heathens against the Christians.
... things not only on this account, that they may ... tortures, and fresh blood be supplied
for punishment. ... Moreover, most wicked murderers have invented impious laws ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xi of the cruelty of.htm