Pride is one of the oldest struggles in the human heart. In the Bible, the Hebrew word ga’avah means arrogance or a sense of superiority, while the Greek word huperēphania speaks of an inflated ego that stands in the way of God’s plan.
The Bible warns us about pride’s consequences: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Time after time, we see how pride separates people from God, destroys relationships, and leads to downfall.
In this article, we’ll look at 15 examples of pride in the Bible—stories that teach us the dangers of arrogance and the importance of humility. These lessons are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
Let’s dive in and learn how to guard our hearts and walk humbly with God.
What Is Pride According to the Bible?
Pride is more than just thinking too highly of yourself. In the Bible, it’s a dangerous attitude that sets people against God. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” That means when we’re proud, we’re actually resisting God’s grace and help.
Pride can show up in different ways:
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Moral Superiority: Thinking we’re better than others because of our good deeds or knowledge.
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Self-Confidence: Relying on our own strength instead of trusting God.
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Defiance: Ignoring God’s commands or thinking we know better.
Humility, on the other hand, is all about trusting God, being thankful, and loving others. It doesn’t mean thinking less of ourselves but recognizing that all we have comes from God.
15 Examples of Pride in the Bible
Here are 15 real-life stories from the Bible that show us what pride looks like—and how it leads to downfall. These examples remind us why humility matters so much to God.
1. Lucifer’s Fall (Isaiah 14:12-15)
Lucifer, once known as a beautiful angel, let pride take over his heart. He wanted to be like God—exalted above the stars. Instead of serving the Creator, he wanted to take His place.
This pride led to his downfall and turned him into the enemy of God’s people.
Lucifer’s story reminds us that no one, not even angels, are immune to the dangers of pride.
2. Adam & Eve (Genesis 3)
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had everything they could ever want—yet pride crept in. The serpent tempted them by saying, “You will be like God.” Instead of trusting God’s goodness, they wanted to decide right and wrong for themselves. That decision, born from pride, led to sin, pain, and separation from God.
3. The Builders of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9)
After the flood, people gathered to build a tower that would reach the heavens. They wanted to make a name for themselves, showing the world how great they were. But God saw their pride and scattered them by confusing their language.
Pride makes us rely on our own strength instead of trusting God’s plan.
4. Nadab & Abihu (Leviticus 10)
Nadab and Abihu were priests, but they let pride lead them to offer unauthorized fire before God. They thought they could worship God their own way, ignoring His clear instructions. Because of their pride, fire came from the Lord and consumed them.
Their story reminds us that pride in worship can lead us away from God’s will.
5. King Saul (1 Samuel 15)
Saul started out humble, but his pride grew as he became king. When God told him to destroy everything after a battle, Saul decided he knew better. He kept the best things for himself and tried to justify his actions. Because of his prideful disobedience, God rejected Saul as king.
Pride can make us believe we know better than God—and that always leads to trouble.
6. Jonah (Jonah 1–4)
Jonah was a prophet, but when God asked him to preach repentance to the people of Nineveh, Jonah ran the other way. He didn’t want God to show mercy to them because he thought they didn’t deserve it. Jonah’s pride in thinking he knew better than God led him into a storm and the belly of a fish.
Even after he obeyed and Nineveh repented, Jonah sat angry, showing that pride can make us resent God’s grace.
7. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4)
King Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful man in the world. One day, as he admired his kingdom, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built?” His pride made him believe he had achieved greatness by his own strength. God humbled him by taking away his sanity until he recognized that God is the true King.
Pride makes us forget that every gift comes from God.
8. Pharaoh (Exodus 7–12)
Pharaoh’s pride was so strong that even after seeing God’s power through plagues, he hardened his heart and refused to let the Israelites go. He thought he was stronger than God. In the end, his pride led to the death of Egypt’s firstborn sons and the destruction of his army.
Pride blinds us to the truth and brings disaster.
9. Haman (Esther 3–7)
Haman was a top official in King Xerxes’ court, but he couldn’t handle that Mordecai wouldn’t bow to him. His pride made him plot to destroy all the Jewish people. In the end, Haman’s plan failed, and he was hanged on the very gallows he built for Mordecai.
Pride can twist our hearts with hatred and bring us to ruin.
10. The Prideful Pharisee (Luke 18:11)
Jesus told a story about a Pharisee who prayed, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people.” He boasted about his good deeds and looked down on others. But Jesus said it was the humble tax collector who went home forgiven.
Prideful religion can keep us from seeing our own need for God’s mercy.
11. Peter’s First Steps (John 13:8)
During the Last Supper, Jesus knelt to wash His disciples’ feet—a humble act of love. But when He came to Peter, Peter refused, saying, “You shall never wash my feet.” Peter’s pride made him think he could dictate what Jesus should do. Jesus gently corrected him, showing that humility means letting God serve us so we can serve others.
Pride often blinds us to the blessings God wants to give us, keeping us from receiving His grace.
12. Judas Iscariot (John 12:4-6)
Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus’ closest followers, yet pride and greed took root in his heart. When Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, Judas criticized her, pretending he cared about the poor. In truth, he wanted to keep the money for himself. His pride in his own plans led him to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
Judas’ story warns us that pride can hide behind good intentions but lead us to betray what matters most.
13. Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5)
Ananias and Sapphira wanted the praise that came from generosity, but they weren’t honest. They sold land, kept part of the money, and pretended to give it all. Their pride in looking generous was more important to them than honesty before God.
When Peter confronted them, both died for their deceit.
Pride often hides behind good works but leads to destruction if we seek human praise over God’s truth.
14. Diotrephes (3 John 9-10)
Diotrephes was a leader in the early church who let pride take over. He wanted to be first in everything, refusing to welcome other believers or listen to John’s teachings. He even spread gossip and chased others away from the church. His pride damaged the unity and love Jesus taught His followers to have.
Pride in leadership can tear apart what God wants to build.
15. The Proud Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4)
Some believers in Corinth were proud of their spiritual gifts and compared themselves to others. They thought their knowledge and talents made them better. Paul reminded them that every gift they had came from God. Their pride caused division, turning blessings into bragging rights.
Pride can make us forget that every good thing is a gift from God, not something we earned.
Key Bible Verses on Pride & Humility
The Bible is full of wisdom on pride and humility. Here are some key verses that remind us of the dangers of pride and the blessings of a humble heart:
Proverbs 16:18 — “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
This verse warns us that pride leads to a downfall. When we let pride guide our choices, we set ourselves up for failure.
Proverbs 21:4 — “Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.”
A proud heart leads us away from God’s ways and into sin.
James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
God stands against pride but pours out His blessings on those who walk in humility.
Luke 14:11 — “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus teaches us that true greatness comes from humility, not from lifting ourselves above others.
These verses remind us that God desires humble hearts—ones that trust Him and serve others. Pride pulls us away from His blessings, but humility brings us closer to Him.
Lessons These Examples Teach Us
Looking at these 15 examples of pride in the Bible, we can learn some important lessons that still matter today:
💡 Pride Leads to Downfall
Every story we read—Lucifer, Adam and Eve, Nebuchadnezzar, and others—shows that pride leads to destruction. It blinds us to the truth, makes us stubborn, and separates us from God’s blessings.
💡 Humility Brings Restoration
The opposite of pride is humility. When we humble ourselves, God lifts us up. He forgives us, guides us, and helps us grow in faith. A humble heart is teachable, open to correction, and eager to follow God’s ways.
💡 Pride Damages Relationships
Pride not only hurts our relationship with God—it also hurts our relationships with others. It can make us think we’re better than those around us, leading to jealousy, conflict, and broken friendships.
💡 Humility Honors God
When we walk humbly, we recognize that every good thing comes from God. Humility makes us grateful, loving, and ready to serve. It draws us closer to God and allows His light to shine through us.
These lessons remind us to check our hearts, confess pride, and choose humility every day.
How to Cultivate Humility Today
Humility doesn’t just happen—it’s something we can choose to grow in our daily lives. Here are some simple steps to help you build a humble heart:
✨ Confession
Start by asking God to show you areas of pride in your life. Be honest about your struggles and ask Him to forgive you. Admitting our weaknesses is the first step to humility.
✨ Service
Look for ways to serve others. It could be helping a friend, volunteering at church, or just being there to listen. Serving others puts our hearts in the right place and reminds us that life isn’t just about us.
✨ Gratitude
Take time each day to thank God for His blessings. Remember that every good thing comes from Him, not from our own efforts. Gratitude helps us stay humble and joyful.
✨ Scripture Memorization
Learn Bible verses about humility and pride, like James 4:6 or Proverbs 16:18. Hiding God’s Word in your heart helps you fight prideful thoughts when they come.
When we make these steps a habit, we invite God to shape us into people who walk humbly with Him.
FAQs
1. What is biblical humility vs. worldly humility?
Biblical humility means depending on God and valuing others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4). It’s not about thinking we’re worthless—it’s about recognizing that God is our source of strength. Worldly humility sometimes just means being polite or modest, but biblical humility puts God at the center of our lives.
2. Can pride be hidden in good works?
Yes, sometimes pride hides behind good deeds. We might serve others just to get praise or feel important. But God sees our hearts. He wants us to serve out of love, not for our own glory.
3. How can I spot pride in my heart?
Ask God to show you where pride might be hiding. Pride often shows up when we think we know better than others, refuse to ask for help, or feel angry when corrected. Prayer and honest reflection can help us see and overcome it.
4. Does God forgive pride?
Yes! God is always ready to forgive when we confess our pride and ask for His help (1 John 1:9). He loves to give grace to those who humble themselves.
5. How is pride rooted in addiction to praise?
Sometimes we want people to admire us and tell us how great we are. That can make us proud and keep us from giving God the credit. When we seek praise from others instead of from God, pride grows in our hearts.
Final Thoughts
The 15 examples of pride in the Bible show us how pride leads to destruction, broken relationships, and separation from God. But they also remind us that humility brings restoration, fellowship with God, and lasting peace.
As you reflect on these stories, take time to ask God to search your heart for any pride that might be hiding there. Journal moments when pride tries to take over, and ask God to help you grow in humility.
Take a moment today to pick one of the examples and write a short prayer asking God to help you stay humble. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
Let’s walk together in humility, trusting God to guide us every step of the way. 🙏