PRIDE AND HUMILITY

Pride is subtle and sneaky. It can feel justified, even noble, but left unchecked, it distances us from God and others. Scripture shows us that pride is not a personality trait to tolerate, but a spiritual danger to confront. It was the root of Satan’s rebellion, the downfall of kings, and a trap we’re all prone to fall into. But God gives us a different way. Through humility, we reflect Christ’s character, draw near to God, and live from a place of dependence and grace.

This study explores the origins, warnings, and consequences of pride, while offering a redemptive path forward through the example and teaching of Jesus. It will challenge you to examine your heart, recognize pride’s influence, and pursue a posture of humility in your daily life.

INTRODUCTION TO PRIDE

Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

How would you define pride in your own words?

THE ORIGIN OF PRIDE: SATAN’S FALL

Isaiah 14:12-15

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.”

What do these verses reveal about Satan’s mindset and motives?

HOW SATAN USES PRIDE AS A TOOL AGAINST US

Genesis 3:1-6

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, “You shall not eat of any tree in the garden”?’ And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”’ But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.”

1 John 2:16
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

What tactics does Satan use to stir pride in the human heart?

PRIDE BEGINS WITHIN

Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

Mark 7:21–22

“For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.”

How can you guard your heart against prideful attitudes?

WARNINGS ABOUT PRIDE

Proverbs 16:5

“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

1 Peter 5:5
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

James 4:6
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”

How might unaddressed pride impact our relationship with God and others?

EXAMPLES OF PRIDE LEADING TO DOWNFALL

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride

Daniel 4:28-37

“At the end of twelve months he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, and the king answered and said, ‘Is not this great Babylon, which I have built by my mighty power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?’ … While the words were still in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, ‘O King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field…’”

King Uzziah’s Pride

2 Chronicles 26:16-21

“But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”

What lessons can we learn from Nebuchadnezzar and Uzziah?

HUMILITY AS THE ANTIDOTE TO PRIDE

Philippians 2:3-5
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

What does humility look like in action?

THE BENEFITS OF HUMILITY

Proverbs 22:4
“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”

Philippians 2:9
“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.”

Matthew 23:12
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”

Why do you think humility is so valued by God?

STEPPING INTO HUMILITY

Colossians 3:12
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”

What is one specific habit or practice that could cultivate humility this week?

CONCLUSION AND REFLECTION

Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Galatians 6:14
“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”

In what ways can you shift your focus from self-glory to Christ-centred living?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.