Pride is something that is seen in a negative light by many in the Bible. In Proverbs 16:18, it is written that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall”. This is a warning from the Bible that pride can lead to destruction. The Bible also criticizes those who are proud and boastful, as seen in Proverbs 21:24, which states, “Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath”. In other words, the Bible is warning us that if we are prideful and boastful, then we will be seen as scornful people.
The Bible also states that pride is a trait of the wicked, as seen in Proverbs 11:2, which reads, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the lowly is wisdom”. This verse is telling us that when we are prideful, then shame will come, but if we are humble, then we will gain wisdom.
How Pride Can Destroy Our Lives
Pride can have a destructive effect on our lives. It can lead us to make decisions that are not wise and can cause us to be blinded by our own ego. Pride can lead us to become arrogant and selfish, which can lead us to neglect the needs of others. Pride can also lead us to think that we are better than we actually are, and this can lead us to become complacent and stop striving for excellence.
In addition, pride can lead us to become prideful of things that we should not be proud of, such as wealth, power, or status. This can lead us to become consumed with our own success and to forget that there is more to life than material possessions.
Examples of Prideful People in the Bible
The Bible has many examples of people who were prideful and suffered for it. One of the most well-known examples is King Nebuchadnezzar from the Book of Daniel. King Nebuchadnezzar was a powerful ruler who was filled with pride and arrogance. He boasted of his power and his greatness, and he even tried to get people to worship him. God punished him by making him live in the wilderness for seven years, and when he returned to his kingdom, he realized the folly of his pride and acknowledged that only God deserves to be worshipped.
Another example of pride in the Bible is found in the Book of Job. Job was a righteous man who was proud of his faith and his goodness. However, Satan challenged God and asked him to test Job’s faith. God allowed Satan to test Job, and Job was humbled and realized the folly of his pride.
Avoiding Pride in Our Lives
If we want to avoid the pitfalls of pride in our lives, then we must take heed of the warnings in the Bible. We must remember to be humble and to put God first in our lives. We should also recognize that we are not perfect and that we need to rely on God’s grace. We should also strive to be content with what we have and not become prideful of our possessions.
In addition, we should remember that pride can lead to reckless decisions, so we should strive to make wise decisions and think before we act. We should also remember to be thankful for all the blessings that God has given us and not take them for granted.
The Consequences of Prideful Behavior
The consequences of prideful behavior can be severe, as seen in the examples from the Bible. Pride can lead to destruction and can cause us to be humbled. It can also lead to recklessness and can cause us to neglect our responsibilities. Pride can also lead to arrogance, and this can cause us to lose sight of what is truly important in life.
Praying for Humility and Seeking Forgiveness
If we have been prideful, then we should seek forgiveness from God. We should also pray for humility and ask God to help us to overcome our prideful behavior. We should also strive to learn from our mistakes and to strive to be humble and grateful for all that God has given us.
Ultimately, we should remember that pride is something that can destroy us if we let it. We must take heed of the warnings in the Bible and strive to avoid pride in our lives. We should also pray for humility and seek forgiveness if we have been prideful. By doing this, we can ensure that pride does not have a destructive effect on our lives.
All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber. Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988. Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world. He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.
