Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Understanding Pride
Pride, as defined in Scripture, is the sinful elevation of self above God’s rightful authority. It is an inward disposition that exalts one’s own will, wisdom, and desires above the revealed will of the Lord. Pride does not merely manifest in outward arrogance—it begins as a spiritual corruption of the heart, where man seeks to enthrone himself rather than submit to the sovereignty of God.
From the beginning, pride has been the root of rebellion. Lucifer fell because he said in his heart, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). Pride transforms the creature into a rival of the Creator, making it the foundational sin that fuels all others. It is self-deception, self-exaltation, and self-worship.
The Biblical Diagnosis of Pride
Pride Rejects God’s Rule
When a man chooses pride, he rejects the lordship of Christ. Scripture declares, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 16:5). Pride cannot dwell in the presence of God, for it refuses to bow the knee. It elevates human reasoning above God’s Word and leads one to believe that divine commandments are optional.
Pride Distorts the Heart
Pride blinds. It prevents repentance because it convinces a person that he has no need to repent. Obadiah 1:3 states, “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee.” This deception hardens the heart, causing spiritual callousness. A proud man cannot see his own condition, and therefore cannot cry out for mercy.
Pride Produces Contention
Where pride exists, strife soon follows. Proverbs 13:10 says, “Only by pride cometh contention.” Pride refuses correction, rejects counsel, and demands its own way. It destroys unity in the home, the church, and society. Pride does not seek peace; it seeks dominance.
The Consequences of Pride
Pride Brings Divine Opposition
God Himself becomes the Resister of the proud: “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Pride places a person in direct conflict with the Almighty. To persist in pride is to invite God’s opposition in every area of life—spiritual, relational, physical, and emotional.
Pride Leads to Destruction
The end of pride is certain. Scripture does not give pride a slow decline—it gives it a fall. “A man’s pride shall bring him low” (Proverbs 29:23). Pride destroys ministries, marriages, reputations, nations, and eternities. It is a path that always leads downward, no matter how high one imagines himself to stand.
Pride Hinders Salvation
Perhaps its greatest danger is this: pride keeps souls from the Savior. The Pharisees could not receive Christ because they trusted in their own righteousness. Jesus declared that the proud and self-sufficient remain spiritually blind, while the humble see the truth (John 9:41). Pride bars the door of grace.
Pride Invites God’s Judgment
Nebuchadnezzar learned this when he exalted himself and God struck him down until he confessed that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:32). Pride provokes God to act, and His judgments are always righteous. No proud man escapes His hand.
The Call to Reject Pride
The remedy to pride is not human effort—it is surrender. Scripture commands, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). Pride must be confessed and forsaken. A believer must intentionally walk in the fear of the Lord, remembering that “what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
Humility restores what pride destroys. It opens the door to grace, wisdom, peace, and spiritual strength. It aligns the heart with God’s will and keeps the believer anchored in truth.
Conclusion
Pride is more than a moral weakness—it is a spiritual rebellion that positions man against God and invites destruction. Its consequences are inevitable, and its effects are far-reaching. But the Lord, in mercy, offers grace to all who will humble themselves before Him. The true Christian must therefore guard the heart diligently, rejecting pride in all its forms and walking in the humility exemplified by Christ, “who humbled himself, and became obedient unto death” (Philippians 2:8).