Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18 (KJV)
Theme: Living According to God’s Word
“But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God…I will make myself like the Most High.’…” – Isaiah 14:13-14 (NIV)
Pride. It’s the earliest sin recorded in our Bible, happening well before Adam & Eve walked the Earth, and it was the sin of Satan himself. In his pride and arrogance, Satan thought of himself as “higher” than our God. See Isaiah 14:12-16 for the entire passage regarding Satan’s downfall.
The pride God warns us about here in Proverbs 16:18 is thinking of ourselves as “higher” than others or even God himself (just as Satan did). The second part of this verse uses the term “haughty,” which means arrogantly disdainful or superior. It describes a mindset of arrogance, self-importance, thinking we’re better than other people, and putting our own self-interests above the interests of others. Said another way, it’s always thinking we’re #1, always looking out for #1, and looking down on others (thus, this week’s image).
Our Bible is filled with God’s many warnings against pride. In this week’s verse specifically, God warns that prideful hearts put us on the path to destruction and failure. I think it’s important to note that the “haughty spirit” referenced here is not simply being proud of an accomplishment, a family member, or similar. There’s nothing wrong with being pleased when hard work leads to success…a good grade in school, a promotion at work, a sports win, or a project we’ve finished. It’s possible to be happy with an accomplishment while still maintaining a humble spirit. The key is to remember that all such successes are blessings from our God.
God loves us and wants us to succeed. That’s why He warns us that prideful mindsets are a path to disgrace, while humility is the path to honor and blessing.
“those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Matthew 23:12 (NIV)
“Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.” – Proverbs 15:33 (NIV)
“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” – Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)
