Conceit, or being conceited, is a sin that is strongly warned against throughout Scripture. At its core, conceit is an attitude of pride, arrogance, and self-importance. A conceited person has an exaggerated sense of their own abilities, accomplishments, and worth. They are prideful, haughty, and see themselves as superior to others. The Bible has a lot to say about the dangers of conceit and offers wisdom for combatting this destructive mindset and behavior.
Old Testament Warnings Against Conceit
In the Old Testament, conceit is associated with self-sufficiency – trusting in one’s own wisdom and resources rather than relying on God. Proverbs 26:12 says, “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them.” A conceited person is so confident in their own abilities that they feel no need for God’s wisdom or help. But Scripture says this is foolishness.
The book of Isaiah contains strong warnings against conceit and pride. Isaiah 2:11 says, “The eyes of the arrogant will be humbled and human pride brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” And Isaiah 13:11 declares, “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.” God will not tolerate human arrogance forever but will ultimately humble the proud.
In the book of Obadiah, the people of Edom represent prideful conceit for which they are condemned. Obadiah 1:3 says, “The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down.” This illustrates how conceit leads to downfall.
New Testament Warnings Against Conceit
The New Testament continues the strong warnings against pride and conceit found in the Old Testament. Romans 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” A conceited person has an inflated view of themselves, but the antidote is sober self-evaluation through the lens of God’s truth.
Jesus confronted the religious conceit of the Pharisees in the Gospels. In Luke 18:9-14, he told a parable against those who trusted in their own righteousness and viewed others with contempt. He warned that “all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). A conceited attitude leads to rejection and humiliation before God.
The Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthian church about the danger of conceit. He wrote, “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). The antidote to conceit is remembering that all our skills and resources ultimately come from God, not ourselves.
Paul also listed conceit as one of the sins characteristic of people in the last days: “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…” (2 Timothy 3:2). Conceit goes hand in hand with the elevation of self and personal gain over obedience to God.
Attributes of a Conceited Person
Based on what Scripture teaches, we can identify several characteristic attributes of a conceited person:
- They have an exaggerated confidence in their own abilities and wisdom (Proverbs 26:12).
- They do not rely on or submit to God but trust in themselves (Isaiah 2:11).
- They consider themselves superior to others and look down on them (Luke 18:9).
- They boast and call attention to themselves rather than giving glory to God (1 Corinthians 4:7).
- They are obsessed with themselves rather than serving others (2 Timothy 3:2).
- They reject criticism and are unable to receive correction or feedback (Proverbs 15:12).
- They constantly seek praise and validation of their worth (Matthew 6:2).
This pride-filled posture stands in direct opposition to the call of Scripture to walk in humility, love, and service towards others. Conceit is incredibly dangerous because it both separates us from other people and from God.
Effects of Conceit
The Bible makes it clear that conceit leads to negative consequences in a person’s life and relationships. Here are some outcomes that Scripture associates with a conceited attitude:
- Striving and disorder: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16). Conceit fuels envy of others and selfish ambition that disrupts community.
- Rejection by others: “Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar” (Psalm 138:6). No one enjoys being around an arrogant bragger.
- Downfall: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Conceit leaves a person vulnerable to catastrophic consequences.
- Self-deception: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil” (Proverbs 3:7). Conceit can lead to embracing all kinds of falsehood and sin.
- Judgment by God: “I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty…” (Isaiah 13:11). Ultimately, God opposes the proud.
Rather than elevating someone, conceit degrades their character, alienates others, opens them to folly, and invites divine discipline. Scripture could not be clearer in depicting its disastrous results.
Overcoming Conceit
For those struggling with conceit in their lives, Scripture offers hope, wisdom, and power to overcome this sinful mindset. Here are some biblical keys to combatting conceit:
- Repentance and humility. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10). Admitting our pride is the essential first step.
- Focus on serving others. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). This purges self-absorption.
- Give God the glory. “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). Attribute successes to God’s grace at work.
- Guard your heart. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23). Conceit flows from a prideful heart.
- Surround yourself with humble people. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm” (Proverbs 13:20). Fellowship fosters openness and self-awareness.
- Remember Christ’s example. “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death–even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). Let Christ’s humility shape your perspective.
Conceit should not be tolerated or downplayed as a minor flaw. Scripture testifies to its toxic and destructive effects when allowed to take root. But the Bible also provides the cure through God’s grace, wisdom, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit at work in our inner person. There is hope for overcoming a conceited heart!
Verses on Conceit and Pride
Here are some key verses from Scripture about the dangers of conceit and its contrast with the humility and fear of the Lord that should characterize believers:
Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them. (Proverbs 26:12)
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. (James 4:6)
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. (Romans 12:16)
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22:4)
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2)
Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? (1 Corinthians 5:6)
Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:12)
May these sober warnings help diagnose conceited tendencies and lead to greater surrender to Christ’s humble and loving pattern for living.
In summary, the Bible contains strong warnings against the sin of conceit. Conceited people have an exaggerated and prideful view of themselves. Scripture warns that this mindset alienates people from God and others. It leads to striving, disorder, downfall, and ultimately, judgment. With humility and God’s grace, conceit can be overcome. The antidote is repenting, focusing on others, giving God glory, guarding our hearts, and surrounding ourselves with humble people and Christ’s example. Conceit should be recognized for the dangerous and destructive sin that Scripture testifies it to be.
