7 Powerful Examples of Pride in the Bible: Lessons on Humility & Spiritual Growth
This article discusses examples of pride in the bible, why pride is a sin, and how to overcome great pride.
What Is pride?
Pride often referred to as arrogance or conceit, is an inflated sense of one’s own importance, abilities, or superiority. Pride can lead to a disregard for others, an unwillingness to admit mistakes, and a sense of entitlement. In many religious and philosophical traditions, pride is viewed as a vice that leads to one’s downfall.
How Is The Word Pride Displayed In The Bible?
Pride is referred to in the Bible by several different terms being; Haughty, vain, boastful, arrogant, disdainful, insolent, and high-minded. These terms not only refer to the forms of pride but also to the varying degrees of pride.
Why Is Pride A Sin?
As children of God we are taught to be humble and to appreciate all that God has provided us with. As we do not provide for ourselves it is God that provides for his children. We are reminded in Acts 10:34 that God is no respector of persons. This means that we are all equal in his eyes. One man is not better than another. Pride is a sin for several reasons.
1. Self-Exaltation Over God
Pride leads individuals to place themselves above God, valuing their own desires, abilities, and judgments over divine will. This self-exaltation is seen as a form of idolatry, where the individual worships their own ego rather than God. The Bible emphasizes that everything we haveโour talents, abilities, and blessingsโcomes from God, and pride ignores this truth by crediting oneself rather than acknowledging God’s sovereignty.
King Uzziah: A Case of Self Exaltation and Sinful Pride
King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, is a significant Old Testament figure whose story exemplifies the dangers of pride. According to 2 Chronicles 26, Uzziah began his reign as a righteous king who sought Godโs guidance. However, as he grew powerful and prosperous, his heart became proud. His pride led him to enter the temple of the Lord to burn incense, an act reserved for priests. This act of disobedience resulted in God striking him with leprosy, forcing him to live in isolation until his death (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Uzziahโs story illustrates how pride can lead to severe consequences and demonstrates the importance of respecting Godโs commands and boundaries.
2. Disobedience and Rebellion
Pride can lead to disobedience and rebellion against God’s commands. A proud man, they may believe they know better than God, leading them to make choices that go against divine teachings. This rebellious attitude is evident in the story of Lucifer, whose pride led him to challenge God’s authority, resulting in his fall.
King Saul: The Downfall Due to Pride
King Saul, the first king of Israel, also provides an example of how pride can lead to downfall. Saulโs initial humility and obedience to God were overshadowed by his increasing pride and disobedience. When Saul disobeyed Godโs command to destroy the Amalekites and kept some of their spoils, his pride led to God rejecting him as king (1 Samuel 15:10-23). Saulโs story highlights the destructive nature of pride and the importance of remaining humble and obedient to Godโs word.
3. Separation from God
Pride creates a barrier between individuals and God. When a person is proud, they may become spiritually blind, unable to see their need for God’s grace and forgiveness. This separation from God can lead to a lack of spiritual growth and ultimately to spiritual death. The Bible teaches that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6), indicating that pride prevents one from receiving God’s favor.
King Nebuchadnezzar: The Fall of Great Babylon
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon is another prominent Old Testament figure who struggled with pride. In the book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar is depicted as a proud ruler who boasted of his achievements and the greatness of his kingdom. His pride led him to be humbled by God, who caused him to live like an animal for seven years until he acknowledged Godโs sovereignty (Daniel 4:28-33). Nebuchadnezzarโs story serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride and the importance of recognizing Godโs authority over all things.
4. Harm to Relationships
Pride can damage relationships by fostering an attitude of superiority and contempt for others. A proud person believes that they are better than ordinary people and may struggle with empathy, forgiveness, and cooperation, leading to conflict and isolation. Essentially they are only interested in pleasing themselves and have solely their own interests at heart. This relational damage is contrary to the Christian call to love and dedicate time to serving others, as pride often places the self above the needs and well-being of others.
The Story of Saul and David
After David, a young shepherd, defeated Goliath, he quickly gained popularity and favor among the people of Israel. Women sang, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). This comparison ignited jealousy and insecurity in King Saul. Rather than rejoicing in David’s victory and seeing him as a valuable ally, Saul’s pride was wounded. He couldn’t bear the thought of someone else receiving more praise and admiration than himself.
As Saul’s jealousy grew, so did his animosity toward David. He saw David as a threat to his throne, even though David had no intention of usurping Saul’s authority. Saul’s pride and paranoia led him to repeatedly try to kill David, despite David’s loyalty to him. This pursuit drove David into hiding and ultimately caused a deep rift between them.
The Impact of Saul’s Pride
Saul’s pride not only destroyed his relationship with David but also led to his own downfall. His obsession with maintaining his power and status blinded him to God’s will and caused him to act irrationally and unjustly. Saul’s relationship with his own son, Jonathan, who was close friends with David, also suffered as a result of his pride. Jonathan recognized David’s anointing by God and tried to protect him, which only further enraged Saul.
In the end, Saul’s pride led to his loss of God’s favor, his kingdom, and eventually his life. David, on the other hand, despite being pursued by Saul, maintained his integrity and respect for the king, refusing to harm Saul even when given the opportunity.
The story of Saul and David highlights how pride can corrupt relationships, leading to jealousy, betrayal, and the destruction of trust and respect. Saul’s inability to rejoice in David’s success and his refusal to humble himself before God led to the unraveling of his kingship and his relationships. This narrative serves as a warning against letting pride dictate our actions and attitudes toward others.
5. Leads to Other Sins
Mighty man boast and pride is often seen as the root of other sins, such as envy, anger, and greed. When a person is proud, they may feel entitled to more than they have, leading to jealousy or resentment toward others. Pride can also drive individuals to act unjustly to maintain their perceived superiority, leading to further sinful behavior.
One powerful Bible story that illustrates how pride leads to other sins is the account of King Herod’s downfall in the New Testament (Acts 12:20-23). This story shows the dangers of prideful people who, instead of acknowledging the great things that come from the Almighty God, take credit for them through their own strength.
The Story of King Herod
King Herod, a ruler in Judea, was a prideful man who sought to impress others and boast of his power. When the people of Tyre and Sidon sought peace with him, they came to Herod, flattering him in hopes of gaining his favor. On a set day, Herod, dressed in his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a speech to the people. As he spoke, the crowd shouted, “This is the voice of a God, not of a man!” (Acts 12:22).
Instead of correcting them and giving glory to the Almighty God, Herod allowed the people to believe that he was divine, basking in their praise. He was like a rich man who boasts in his wealth, thinking that all great things come from his own strength and abilities.
The Consequences of Herodโs Pride
Herod’s pride led him to commit the sin of blasphemy, as he accepted the worship and adoration that belonged to God alone. His prideful heart had blinded him to the truth that any power he had was given by God, not earned by his own efforts.
Immediately, the Angel of the Lord struck Herod down because he did not give glory to God. He was eaten by worms and died a gruesome death, a stark reminder of the consequences of pride.
Lessons from the Story
This story of King Herod demonstrates how prideful people can fall into deeper sins, such as blasphemy and self-exaltation, when they fail to recognize that all great things come from the Almighty God. Herodโs reliance on his own strength and desire to boast in his achievements led to his ultimate downfall. The story warns against the dangers of pride and the importance of giving God the glory in all things.
6. Blindness to One’s Own Faults
Pride can make individuals blind to their own faults and shortcomings, preventing them from seeking repentance and growth. In the Bible, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their prideful attitudes, noting that their self-righteousness prevented them from seeing their need for God’s mercy.
A compelling Bible story that illustrates how pride can make a person blind to their own faults is the account of King David and the prophet Nathan in 2 Samuel 11-12. This story highlights how even a great and godly king like David could be blinded by pride, leading to serious sin and a lack of self-awareness.
The Story of David, Bathsheba, and Nathan
King David was known for his devotion to God and had accomplished many great things for Israel. However, at the height of his power, David became prideful and succumbed to temptation. One day, he saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, bathing, and lusted after her. Ignoring his own moral and spiritual responsibilities, David abused his power and committed adultery with Bathsheba. When she became pregnant, David tried to cover up his sin by bringing Uriah home from battle, hoping he would sleep with his wife and believe the child was his own. When this plan failed, David resorted to having Uriah placed in the front lines of battle, where he was killed, effectively committing murder to hide his sin.
Despite these grave sins, David remained blind to his own faults, likely because of his pride and sense of entitlement as king. He continued with his life as though nothing had happened, seemingly unaware of the depth of his wrongdoing.
Nathan’s Confrontation
God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David. Nathan told David a parable about a rich man who, despite having many sheep, took a poor man’s only lamb to prepare a meal for a traveler. David, not recognizing himself in the story, was enraged by the injustice and declared that the rich man deserved to die and should make restitution. It was at this moment that Nathan revealed the truth, saying, “You are that man!” (2 Samuel 12:7). Nathan pointed out how David had taken Uriahโs wife and had him killed, despite all that God had given him.
The Impact of Pride
David’s pride had blinded him to his own faults, leading him to commit adultery, deceit, and murder. He was quick to judge the sins of others but could not see his own until Nathan confronted him. Once David realized his sin, he was deeply remorseful and repented, but the consequences of his actions were severe, affecting his family and kingdom.
Lessons from the Story
This story illustrates how pride can cloud judgment and prevent even the most righteous individuals from recognizing their own faults. David’s initial inability to see his own sins serves as a warning about the dangers of pride and the importance of humility. It also shows that God, in His mercy, often sends othersโlike Nathanโto help us see the truth and turn back to Him in repentance.
Pride in today’s society
Status/Class: Wise man boast and that doesn’t necessarily mean only with his mouth. In today’s society, there are class levels and status titles that appeal to one’s ego and sense of self-worth. Look at cosmetic giant Loreal’s tagline “Because your worth it.” This appeals to our sense of pride to purchase non essential items to distinguish ourselves by using their products to separate ones self through the form of beauty.
Status and class can also present it’s self in what we wear and own. In fact, there is an entire market called the luxury goods market that is constantly being marketed to us through advertising and product placement to appeal to our ego and pride to persuade us to purchase luxury goods. Designer handbags and luxury cars are all status symbols to separate oneself from “lower classes” that fail to be as wealthy as others. Luxury goods can appeal to one’s own pride by making one feel better than others because they can afford to have these things that others can’t. This is a form of idolatry to one’s self and to things, because we worship things that increase our “value.”
When we experience pride we are lying to ones self about our worth.
Biblical Examples of Pride in the New Testament
Pride, often described as a haughty spirit or sinful pride, is a recurring theme in the Bible, woven through stories of Old Testament kings, New Testament teachings, and parables. Understanding these biblical examples can provide insight into the nature of pride and its consequences, both in ancient times and in todayโs world. This article explores key examples of pride from the Bible, reflects on how pride manifests in modern society, and highlights the lessons we can learn about humility, spiritual growth, and godliness.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ addresses the issue of pride through the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14). In this parable, a Pharisee boasts of his righteousness and looks down upon a tax collector, who humbly asks for Godโs mercy. Jesus concludes that the tax collector, with his humble heart, was justified before God, while the Phariseeโs pride and self-righteousness were condemned. This parable illustrates the contrast between sinful pride and genuine humility and reinforces the idea that humility and repentance are valued in Godโs eyes.
The Apostle Paul: Pride and Humility in Ministry
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently addresses the issue of pride and its opposite, humility. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages believers to adopt a humble attitude, following the example of Christ Jesus, who humbled Himself even to the point of death (Philippians 2:5-8). Paul also warns against selfish ambition and pride, urging believers to consider the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). Paulโs teachings emphasize the importance of humility in the Christian walk and the need to resist prideful attitudes that can hinder spiritual growth and unity.
Manifestations of Pride in Modern Culture
In contemporary society, pride can manifest in various forms, from individual achievements to collective cultural attitudes. Modern pride often reflects a sense of self-importance, entitlement, and a desire for validation from others. The prevalence of social media can amplify prideful behaviors, as individuals seek approval and admiration through online platforms. Additionally, societal values that emphasize personal success and self-promotion can contribute to a culture where pride is often mistaken for confidence or self-assurance.
Pride Versus Humility in Personal and Professional Life
Balancing pride and humility is crucial in personal and professional settings. Pride can drive ambition and motivate individuals to achieve their goals, but when it becomes excessive or self-centered, it can lead to negative consequences. In contrast, humility fosters genuine relationships, promotes teamwork, and encourages personal and spiritual growth. Recognizing the fine line between healthy self-esteem and sinful pride is essential for maintaining a balanced and godly approach to life.
C.S. Lewis and the Nature of Pride
C.S. Lewis, in his book “Mere Christianity,” explores the concept of pride and its impact on individuals and society. Lewis describes pride as the โessential viceโ and a distortion of true virtue. He explains that pride is not merely a feeling of superiority but a fundamental attitude that leads to a lack of genuine love and compassion for others. According to Lewis, overcoming pride involves recognizing oneโs own shortcomings and embracing humility as a path to spiritual growth.
Theological Insights on Pride and Humility
The theological perspective on pride often emphasizes its role as a deadly sin and its opposition to the virtues of humility and love. Pride is seen as the root of many other sins and a barrier to spiritual growth. The fear of the Lord, which is a deep reverence and respect for God, is considered the antidote to pride. By acknowledging Godโs sovereignty and seeking His grace, individuals can overcome pride and cultivate a humble heart.
Godโs Grace and Overcoming Pride
The concept of Godโs grace is central to overcoming pride. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, which empowers individuals to transform their hearts and live according to His will. Through Godโs grace, individuals can recognize their own limitations, embrace humility, and develop a servant-hearted attitude. This transformative grace is essential for spiritual growth and the development of Christ-like humility.
Continue Reading: Steps to overcoming pride
(Concepts from this article come from Mike Mazzalongo from Bible Talk TV. I am a big fan of M. Mazzalongo’s sermons. The are available on youtube and his own website.)