Jul '25 • Wisdom
Pride Before Destruction
‘Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.’ Proverbs 16:18
This verse delivers one of the most sobering warnings in Scripture: pride is not just a moral flaw—it is a forerunner of judgment. Pride blinds a person to their own weakness, inflates their view of self, and subtly positions them against both God and others. It places self on the throne and pushes God aside, making collapse inevitable. The fall doesn’t come first—the pride does. And once pride takes root, a fall is already in motion.
This principle is echoed throughout Scripture. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.” Pride exalts a man in his own eyes, but wisdom lives in those who walk humbly before God. James 4:6declares, “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” To be proud is to put oneself in opposition to God, which is why destruction always follows. God cannot bless the one who exalts himself, because doing so would reinforce rebellion. But He lifts up the humble, those who know their need of Him and walk in dependence.
Scripture gives us many examples of this truth. King Nebuchadnezzar boasted in his power and kingdom in Daniel 4:30, but before the words left his mouth, God struck him down, humbling him until he acknowledged that the Most High rules. Likewise, in Acts 12, King Herod received praise as a god and did not give glory to God—immediately, the Lord smote him. These are not just stories of judgment; they are divine reminders that pride is deadly and always leads to ruin unless repented of.
Practically, Proverbs 16:18 calls us to daily self-examination. Pride doesn’t always roar; sometimes it whispers. It can hide in our motives, our words, our need to be right, our refusal to receive correction, or our dependence on our own strength. Destruction may not come in a moment, but pride sets the path toward it. The wise will humble themselves before the Lord, remembering that everything they have and are is by grace. The cross of Christ is the ultimate antidote to pride—it reminds us that we were so lost it took the death of the Son of God to redeem us, and yet we are so loved that He was willing to do it.
To stay upright, we must stay low. The heart that bows before God will not break before men. Pride leads to a fall, but humility leads to favor, guidance, and peace. Let us walk carefully, seeking not to lift ourselves up, but to exalt the One who alone is worthy.
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Pride Before Destruction
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