“He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: ‘Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds…’” – Matthew 16:24
What Does The Bible Say About Arrogance
The Bible teaches us that arrogance is a harmful attitude that can cause trouble in our lives and relationships. Arrogance is when a person thinks too highly of themselves, believing they are better than others. This attitude can lead to problems because it blinds people to their own mistakes and makes them less willing to listen to advice or correction.
The Bible calls us to be humble and warns that arrogance leads to destruction. People who are full of pride often fail to recognize their need for God, thinking they can handle everything on their own. This way of thinking separates them from God and creates a barrier to His blessings. God desires that we acknowledge Him as the source of all our abilities and achievements, giving thanks instead of taking credit for ourselves.
Arrogance can also damage relationships with others. It can make us difficult to approach and unwilling to value the opinions and feelings of those around us. Humility, on the other hand, fosters love and understanding, creating harmony and respect. When we treat others with kindness and humility, we reflect God’s heart and bring people closer to Him.
The Bible encourages us to guard our hearts against arrogance. It reminds us to rely on God for guidance and to value the input of others. Humility allows us to grow, learn, and build meaningful connections. A life free from arrogance is one where God is honored, and His love is shared with everyone we meet. Let us strive to walk in humility and live a life that pleases God.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Attitude
The Dangers of Arrogance
Arrogance can lead us down a destructive path, blinding us to wisdom and humility. The Bible speaks clearly about the consequences of pride and the importance of maintaining a humble heart before God. Here are five powerful verses that caution against arrogance and guide us to walk in humility.
Proverbs 16:18
“First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”
James 4:6
“And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that ‘God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.’”
1 Peter 5:5
“And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people.”
Proverbs 11:2
“The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm.”
Romans 12:3
“I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.”
The Importance of Humility
Humility stands in stark contrast to arrogance and is a trait that God honors. Throughout Scripture, God lifts the humble and opposes the proud. These verses illuminate the beauty and strength found in living humbly before the Lord.
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.”
Micah 6:8
“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.”
Colossians 3:12
“So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline.”
Psalm 25:9
“He gives the rejects his hand and leads them step-by-step.”
Proverbs 22:4
“The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.”
God Opposes the Proud
The Bible repeatedly warns that pride distances us from God and invites His opposition. Arrogance not only strains our relationship with the Lord but also damages our interactions with others. These verses highlight God’s strong stance against pride.
Isaiah 2:12
“There’s a day coming when the Master, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, will move against the arrogant and self-important.”
Psalm 101:5
“I can’t stand arrogance.”
Proverbs 8:13
“Fear-of-God means hating Evil, whose ways I hate with a passion—pride and arrogance and crooked talk.”
Obadiah 1:3
“You’ve made your home high in the mountains, so high that you say, ‘Who can ever pull me down?’”
Psalm 138:6
“And here’s why: God, high above, sees far below—no matter the distance, he knows everything about us.”
Pride Comes Before Destruction
Arrogance may feel empowering in the moment, but it often leads to downfall. Scripture teaches that prideful hearts are on a path to ruin, but humility paves the way to wisdom and honor. These verses reveal the inherent dangers of arrogance.
Proverbs 29:23
“Pride lands you flat on your face; humility prepares you for honors.”
Isaiah 13:11
“I’ll put a full stop to the arrogance of the braggarts and cut down the swagger of the tyrants.”
Proverbs 15:25
“God smashes the pretensions of the arrogant; he stands with those who have no standing.”
Psalm 10:4
“The wicked snub God, their noses stuck high in the air. Their graffiti are scrawled on the walls: ‘Catch us if you can!’”
Daniel 4:37
“And that’s why I’m singing—I, Nebuchadnezzar—singing and praising the King of Heaven: Everything he does is right, and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person into a humble man or woman.”
Walking Humbly with God
Walking humbly with God is not just a command but a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Him. When we put aside arrogance and embrace humility, we position ourselves to receive His grace and favor. Consider these verses about walking humbly before the Lord.
Matthew 23:12
“If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.”
Isaiah 57:15
“A Message from the high and towering God, who lives in Eternity, whose name is Holy: I live in the high and holy places, but also with the low-spirited, the spirit-crushed, and what I do is put new spirit in them, get them up on their feet again.”
Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek God, all you quietly disciplined people who live by God’s justice. Seek God’s right ways. Seek a quiet and disciplined life. Perhaps you’ll be hidden on the Day of God’s anger.”
Psalm 149:4
“For God enjoys his people, adorns plain folk with salvation garlands!”
Proverbs 3:34
“God’s curse blights the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you’re down on your luck, he’s right there to help.”
Arrogance in Relationships
Arrogance can wreak havoc on relationships, creating division and resentment. God calls us to a higher standard—one of humility, love, and unity. These verses provide guidance on how to avoid arrogance and foster harmony in our relationships.
Proverbs 13:10
“Arrogant know-it-alls stir up discord, but wise men and women listen to each other’s counsel.”
Proverbs 14:3
“Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile; wise speech evokes nothing but respect.”
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut.”
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.”
Ephesians 4:2
“And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.”
God’s Grace to the Humble
God’s grace is abundantly available to those who humble themselves before Him. When we surrender our pride and submit to His will, we open ourselves to His transformative power. Reflect on these verses that reveal God’s love for the humble.
James 4:10
“Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I’ll be there ready for you: I’ll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health.”
Luke 14:11
“But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”
Psalm 147:6
“God’s the one who rebuilds Jerusalem, who regathers Israel’s scattered exiles.”
Job 22:29
“Even if you’re self-destructing, God can save you. But he’ll only do it if you repent of your arrogance.”
The Example of Jesus
Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of humility. He set aside His divine privileges to serve humanity, displaying a life devoid of arrogance. Through His actions, He taught us to live selflessly and humbly. These verses reflect on His humility and call us to emulate His example.
Matthew 11:29
“Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.”
John 13:14
“So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet.”
Philippians 2:7
“He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!”
Mark 10:45
“That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”
1 Corinthians 2:2
“I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.”
Christian Quotes on Arrogance
“Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.” – Andrew Murray
“Arrogance is the mask insecurity wears to hide its fear.” – Charles Spurgeon
“God doesn’t call the arrogant, He calls the broken, and then He heals and uses them.” – Christine Caine
“Humility is the antidote to the poison of pride.” – Tim Keller
“An arrogant heart cannot reflect the light of Christ.” – Max Lucado
“True greatness lies in humility, not in self-exaltation.” – John Piper
“God resists the proud because arrogance sets us apart from Him.” – Joyce Meyer
“The proud man has no room for God in his heart.” – Billy Graham
“Arrogance is the graveyard of love and fellowship.” – Francis Chan
“When pride comes in, the blessings go out.” – Rick Warren
Final Thought
Arrogance is a destructive force that blinds us to our own faults and separates us from others and God. The Bible consistently reminds us to cultivate humility, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. In relationships, workplaces, and our spiritual lives, a humble heart draws us closer to God’s grace and fosters harmony with others. Let us strive daily to surrender our pride, seek God’s wisdom, and walk in humility, reflecting Christ’s love and character to the world.