What Is Pride? And Why Should We Talk About It?

"Love Yourself", "Live your truth", and "Follow your heart" are some of the popular mantras of our modern society. And while there’s value in self-care and confidence, there is also a deeper truth: when love for self becomes the center of your life, it can pull you away from the One who loves you more than you can imagine, God. At first glance, these mantras  seem empowering, but at the core they are contrary to the word of God. When love and focus turns inward to self, that’s where pride creeps in and this is dangerous territory. So, what exactly is pride? 

The Heart of Pride 

Pride is an excessive focus on self. Whether it’s in our achievements, our appearance, our spirituality, or even our knowledge. Sometimes it shouts, like interrupting others when they speak or needing to be right all the time; but sometimes it’s quiet, like not wanting to ask for help because you don’t want to seem weak. Sometimes it’s easy to spot, and other times it hides behind a mask of false humility.  

Pride is any posture that puts “I” at the center instead of God. 

The Problem with Pride 

Why does pride matter so much? Because it damages our relationship with God. 

Christianity isn’t about rules, judgment, or guilt-tripping. It’s about relationship. It’s about God’s deep desire to be united with us, to walk with us in truth and love. That’s why He sent Jesus, not to shame us into submission, but to restore us to Himself. Pride gets in the way of this.  

Pride says: 

• “I can do it on my own.”  

• “I will determine what is true.” 

• “I will live life on my terms.” 

And just like that, pride builds walls in a relationship that was meant to be wide open. 

What Does Pride Actually Look Like? 

It might not look like what you expect. Pride doesn’t always show up as arrogance. Sometimes, it hides in things that seem good on the surface. 

• Pride in Appearance – When how you look matters more than who you are. This is not just about physical beauty or fashion, it’s about creating a life that looks impressive, even if your heart feels distant from God. But God doesn’t look at the outward image. He looks at your heart.

  
  

• Spiritual pride – This kind of pride can disguise itself as devotion. You might serve faithfully, attend every church service, or have a powerful prayer life—but deep inside, a small voice might start to compare your walk with someone else’s. You may start thinking, “They just don’t get it like I do.”

  
  

• Pride of Knowledge – When knowledge becomes a way to exalt yourself above others. You might find yourself correcting others just to prove a point, or using Bible verses to win arguments rather than build someone up. This pride can convince you that being “right” is more important than being humble.

  
  

Pride can sneak into your heart in subtle ways, but thankfully, God’s Word gently brings those areas into the light. 

What Does the Bible Say About Pride? 

Scripture speaks clearly about the dangers of pride: 

• “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”  

— Proverbs 16:18 

• “In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts

  there is no room for God." 

— Psalm 10:4 

• “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  

— James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, Isaiah 2:12 

We see many examples of Pride in the Bible, people like Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4), King Uzziah, (2 Chronicles 26) and Herod (Acts 12). They all fell hard when pride overtook them. It began the same with all of them; they started honoring themselves for gifts the Lord had given them. You don't have to be a king to fall prey to pride; Eve fell to pride when she chose to disobey so she could be like God (Genesis 3).

But don’t be afraid. God isn’t waiting to punish you. He’s inviting you into humility, which leads to freedom, peace, and a deeper relationship with Him. 

How Can You Overcome Pride? 

The antidote to pride isn’t self-hate, or even poverty. It’s humility, a quiet confidence that comes from knowing who you are in Christ. Believers in Christ are called the children of God; Followers of Jesus Christ, and the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We are God's beloved creation; in this we find our value, not in the things the world. Overcoming pride is not about shaming yourself or becoming a doormat to be abused. It’s about choosing a different heart posture, one that puts God back at the center and lifts others up.

Here are a few practical ways: 

1. Serve others.  

   "The greatest among you will be your servant.”  - Matthew 23:11 (NIV) 

Serving others reminds us that life isn’t all about us. It is an opportunity to do as Christ did. Although He was God, He washed the feet of his disciples, he fed the hungry, and the healed the sick. He led by serving.

2. Embrace humility. 

“Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  - 1 Peter 5:6–7 (NIV) 

Humility is not weakness, it is yielded Strength. Jesus redefined power, not as something to take, but something to lay down. Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less, and focusing more on how you can love and serve those around you. 

3. Let go and Trust God. 

"Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart

And do not rely on your own insight or understanding." - Proverbs 3:5 (AMP)

Pride holds on to what God tells us to let go of. Pride seeks to control just about everything; other people, outcomes, all things that should not be controlled by the will of one.

You are deeply loved. Often pride is the result of deep fear. Fear of not being loved, not having enough, or not being enough. You don’t have to carry that fear. Trade for God’s love instead. When you realize just how much the Creator of all things Loves you, those other fears will fade.  

God isn’t calling you to perfection. He’s calling you to closeness. And in that closeness, pride begins to fade and love takes its place. 

So take a moment today. Invite God in. Let Him show you the beauty of humility, the joy of serving, and the grace that flows from His heart straight into yours. You're not alone in this. Pride says, “I’ve got this.” But humility whispers, “God, I need You.”