Pride is widely regarded as the most dangerous of the Seven Deadly Sins because it strikes at the very heart of our relationship with God and others. At its core, pride is the desire to elevate oneself above God, above truth, and above other people. It distorts the soul, making it difficult to see personal faults, accept correction, or recognize our dependence on God.
The Bible repeatedly warns against pride: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18), and “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Pride, therefore, is not just an attitude but a condition of the heart that separates us from God and impedes spiritual growth.
When I look at my life, it feels like everything is already against me, my flesh, my family, Satan, the world, "christians" in the church. But the most terrifying thought is that my pride could put me in opposition to almighty God Himself! That shows how serious pride really is.
Pride often hides itself under the guise of virtue, success, or even piety. It is subtle and deceptive, showing up in our desire for recognition, admiration, or status. Even accomplishments, spiritual gifts, or acts of service (even those done for God) can become sources of pride if we claim ultimate credit for them instead of acknowledging God’s work in and through us.
The Gospels illustrate this danger in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector (Luke 18:9–14). The Pharisee proudly listed his good deeds and compared himself to others, while the humble tax collector acknowledged his shortcomings. Jesus declared the humble one justified, demonstrating that self-exaltation blocks God’s favor while humility opens the heart to grace.
The problems caused by pride are profound. Spiritually, it makes us resistant to correction and blinds us to our own weaknesses. Emotionally, it fosters arrogance, defensiveness, and entitlement.
Relationally, pride damages communities, creating division, judgment, and an inability to empathize with others. In modern life, pride can appear as relentless self-promotion, an obsession with image, or the refusal to admit mistakes, behaviors that quietly isolate us from God and from those around us.
Overcoming pride begins with cultivating humility, which is not self-deprecation but a truthful understanding of our position before God. Humility recognizes that all talents, opportunities, and achievements are gifts from God and that our worth is grounded in His love, not in human approval.
Practical steps include self-reflection, confession, and prayer for God’s guidance; seeking accountability from others; serving others without seeking recognition; and meditating on the humility of Christ, who humbled Himself even to death (Philippians 2:5–8).
When pride is replaced by humility, the heart becomes open to God’s guidance, relationships are restored, and true growth can take place. The early Church emphasized that pride is the root from which other sins grow, and that only a heart surrendered to God can cultivate virtue, gratitude, and love. By confronting pride honestly and intentionally embracing humility, we allow God to transform our character, strengthen our relationships, and guide our lives toward His purposes.
St. John Chrysostom – “The proud man is his own greatest enemy, for he exalts himself above God and men alike.”
Jonathan Edwards – “Pride is the refusal to acknowledge God in our thoughts, words, and actions; it is the soul’s most deadly poison.”
John Owen – “Pride is the root from which all other lusts grow; it is the seed of sin in the heart.”
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