Spiritual pride might be the most dangerous trap a believer can fall into because it masquerades as righteousness while poisoning the soul. It’s that subtle satisfaction you feel when comparing your prayer life to someone else’s, or the quiet superiority that creeps in when you notice another person’s struggles with sin you’ve already conquered. Maybe you’ve caught yourself feeling slightly annoyed when newer Christians ask basic questions, or you’ve found yourself mentally cataloging your spiritual accomplishments and good deeds.
The insidious nature of spiritual pride is that it often develops alongside genuine spiritual growth. As we mature in faith, gain biblical knowledge, and experience God’s power in our lives, pride can sneak in through the back door of our hearts. We begin to take credit for what God has done, forget our desperate need for His grace, or start viewing ourselves as more spiritual than other believers. This prideful attitude destroys our intimacy with God and damages our relationships with others.
These verses expose the ugliness of spiritual pride while pointing us toward the humility that keeps our hearts soft, teachable, and dependent on God’s grace. True spiritual maturity is measured not by how much we know or do, but by how deeply we understand our need for Jesus.
Bible Verses About Overcoming Spiritual Pride
1. Proverbs 16:18 – Pride Goes Before Destruction
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
New International Version (NIV)
2. James 4:6 – God Opposes the Proud
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. 1 Corinthians 4:7 – What Do You Have That You Did Not Receive?
For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Luke 18:14 – Everyone Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled
I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. Philippians 2:3 – Do Nothing from Selfish Ambition
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. 1 Peter 5:5 – Clothe Yourselves with Humility
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Proverbs 11:2 – When Pride Comes, Then Comes Shame
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Romans 12:3 – Do Not Think More Highly Than You Ought
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Luke 14:11 – Whoever Humbles Himself Will Be Exalted
What I’m about to tell you is this: If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face, but if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.
The Message (MSG)
10. 1 Corinthians 8:1 – Knowledge Puffs Up, But Love Builds Up
We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up [with pride and self-sufficiency], but love [unselfish love for others] builds up [and encourages growth in wisdom].
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Galatians 6:3 – If Anyone Thinks He Is Something
For if someone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Matthew 23:12 – Whoever Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Isaiah 57:15 – I Dwell with the Contrite and Lowly
God Most High, the holy God who lives forever, says: “I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and sorry for the wrong things they have done.”
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. 1 Corinthians 1:31 – Let the One Who Boasts, Boast in the Lord
As the scripture says, “Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the Lord has done.”
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Jeremiah 9:23-24 – Let Not the Wise Man Boast
The Lord says, “Wise people should not brag about their wisdom. Strong people should not brag about their strength. Rich people should not brag about their money. But if people want to brag, let them brag that they understand and know me.”
New Century Version (NCV)
16. Daniel 4:37 – Those Who Walk in Pride He Is Able to Humble
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, because all his works are true and his ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Micah 6:8 – Walk Humbly with Your God
He has told you, humanity, what is good, and what Adonai requires of you: only to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – If My People Humble Themselves
and my people, who are called by my name, humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Matthew 18:4 – Whoever Humbles Himself Like This Child
Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Proverbs 29:23 – A Man’s Pride Shall Bring Him Low
A man’s pride shall bring him low: But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. 1 Corinthians 10:12 – Let Anyone Who Thinks He Stands Take Heed
Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. Obadiah 1:3 – The Pride of Your Heart Has Deceived You
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?”
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Proverbs 15:25 – The Lord Tears Down the House of the Proud
The Lord will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the borders of the widow.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. 1 Timothy 3:6 – Lest Being Lifted Up with Pride
not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Isaiah 2:17 – The Loftiness of Man Shall Be Bowed Down
And bowed down hath been the haughtiness of man, And humbled the loftiness of men, And set on high hath Jehovah alone been in that day.
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. Proverbs 27:2 – Let Another Man Praise You
Let another praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. 2 Corinthians 12:7 – A Thorn in the Flesh to Keep Me from Being Proud
And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. Isaiah 66:2 – To This Man Will I Look
But to this man Y schal biholde, to a pore man and contrit in spirit, and gretli dredynge my wordis.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. 1 Samuel 2:3 – The Lord Is a God of Knowledge
Speake no more so exceeding proudly: let not arrogancie come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him enterprises are established.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Job 40:11-12 – Look on Everyone Who Is Proud
Shed abrode the indignation of thy wrath: and beholde euery one that is proude, and abase him. Looke on euery one that is arrogant, and bring him lowe: and destroy the wicked in their place.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Luke 1:51 – He Has Scattered the Proud
He hath shewed strength with his arme, he hath scatered the proude in the ymaginacion of their hertes.
Tyndale Bible
32. James 1:9 – Let the Lowly Brother Boast in His Exaltation
Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. 1 Corinthians 4:6 – That You May Learn Not to Go Beyond What Is Written
Now I’ve applied all this to Apollos and myself as an example for your benefit, beloved ones, so that you can learn the true meaning of the saying: “Don’t go beyond what is written.” This will keep you from being inflated with pride and taking sides.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Ephesians 4:2 – With All Humility and Gentleness
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient and accept each other with love.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Zephaniah 3:12 – I Will Leave a Humble and Lowly People
Those who are left alive in Israel will be humble and poor. They will trust in the name of the Lord.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Overcoming Spiritual Pride
Scripture reveals that spiritual pride is perhaps the most destructive sin because it attacks the very foundation of our relationship with God: our recognition of our need for His grace. The Bible consistently shows that God opposes proud hearts while drawing near to those who maintain a humble, teachable spirit. Pride blinds us to our own faults while magnifying others’ weaknesses, creating division in the body of Christ, and hindering our spiritual growth.
What I find most sobering about the biblical warnings against pride is how easily it can develop alongside genuine spiritual progress. The Pharisees were sincere in their religious devotion, yet their pride made them enemies of the very Messiah they claimed to serve. This shows us that knowledge, spiritual gifts, and religious activity can actually become stumbling blocks when they feed our pride rather than increase our dependence on God.
The Bible presents humility not as weakness or self-deprecation, but as an accurate assessment of our position before God. True humility recognizes that every good thing we have comes from Him, every victory is won by His power, and every bit of spiritual growth happens by His grace. This perspective keeps us grateful, teachable, and connected to the source of all spiritual life and power.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before You acknowledging the pride that lurks in my heart and the ways it separates me from You and others. I confess that I have sometimes taken credit for what You have done in my life, looked down on others who struggle with sins I’ve overcome, or felt superior because of the knowledge, gifts, or experiences You’ve given me.
Search my heart and reveal the areas where pride has taken root, especially the subtle forms of spiritual pride that I may not even recognize. Help me to see myself accurately: completely dependent on Your grace, desperately in need of Your mercy, and no better than any other sinner You’ve chosen to save and transform.
Create in me a humble heart that recognizes everything good in my life as a gift from Your hand. When others praise my spiritual growth or ministry, help me to deflect that glory back to You. Give me compassion for those who struggle with sins I once struggled with, and patience with those who are earlier in their spiritual journey.
Keep me in a place of dependence on You, knowing that apart from Christ I can do nothing. Help me to boast only in the cross of Jesus and to find my identity not in my spiritual accomplishments but in being Your beloved child.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.