The Effects of Pride in a Person’s Life

What is Pride?

Pride is a sinful attitude that elevates oneself above others and, ultimately, above God. It stems from a heart that relies on personal status, achievement, or appearance instead of God’s grace and truth.

The Bible repeatedly warns against pride because it leads to spiritual blindness, relational breakdowns, and separation from God. A proud person is often boastful, dismissive, unteachable, and self-centered—qualities that are contrary to the character of Christ.

Sources of Pride

1. Wealth

Wealth can tempt people to feel self-sufficient and independent from God. This is known as “the pride of life” in 1 John 2:16 (ESV):

“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.”

Those who trust in riches may reject spiritual truth, believing their possessions give them security and value. Jesus warned:

Luke 12:15 (ESV): “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Even those chasing wealth may show contempt for God’s Word, equating success with material gain rather than spiritual depth.

2. Education

Worldly knowledge, while valuable, can foster intellectual pride. This occurs when people believe their academic achievements make them superior—even to God’s revelation.

Paul addressed this danger:

1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV): “…This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up.”

Spiritual truth does not depend on human intelligence. The apostles, though mostly uneducated, carried divine wisdom:

Acts 4:13 (ESV): “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

3. Talents and Gifts

Natural or spiritual gifts—such as singing, teaching, or leadership—should be used to glorify God and serve others, not to exalt oneself.

Romans 12:3 (ESV): “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…”

Gifts are given by grace, not by merit. Pride in gifts leads to division and spiritual arrogance.

4. Position or Authority

Leadership roles in the church, workplace, or society can lead to pride if misused. Jesus taught that true greatness lies in humility and servanthood:

Mark 10:43–45 (ESV): “…whoever would be great among you must be your servant… For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…”

Leaders must remain teachable and accountable, always remembering their authority is entrusted, not earned.

5. Physical Appearance

Some people become prideful because of their outward beauty or attractiveness, placing excessive value on looks.

Proverbs 31:30 (ESV): “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

True worth comes from inner godliness, not external appearance.

Consequences of Pride 

1. God Opposes the Proud

Pride puts a person in direct opposition to God.

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV): “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6 (ESV) echoes the same truth.

Without God’s grace, spiritual progress and victory become impossible.

2. Pride Leads to Shame

Pride often ends in humiliation.

Proverbs 11:2 (ESV): “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

Proud people frequently fall hard because their inflated self-image is not rooted in truth.

3. Pride Destroys Families

Pride can tear apart households when spouses or parents refuse to listen, reconcile, or admit faults.

Proverbs 15:25 (ESV): “The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.”

Humility is essential for peace and unity in relationships.

4. Pride Brings Personal Downfall

Pride does not elevate—it lowers. God brings down those who exalt themselves.

Proverbs 29:23 (ESV): “One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”

5. Pride Leads to Judgment and Eternal Loss

Ultimately, pride leads to spiritual death and separation from God.

Isaiah 2:12,17 (ESV):
“For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty… And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.”

Those who die in pride without repentance will not inherit eternal life.

Additional Signs of Pride

Pride also expresses itself in arguments, defensiveness, and constant need to be right.

Proverbs 13:10 (ESV): “By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”
Proverbs 21:24 (ESV): “Scoffer is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.”

How to Guard Against Pride

1. Receive salvation through Jesus Christ – True humility begins with recognizing your need for a Savior.
2. Be filled with the Holy Spirit – The Spirit produces the fruit of humility and helps you walk in God’s ways.
3. Avoid environments that encourage pride – Be intentional about your influences and community.
4. Daily choose humility – Follow Christ’s example of servanthood.

Philippians 2:5–8 (ESV): “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

May the Lord help us to walk in humility and resist the pride that distances us from His grace.

Print this post