Hubris is defined as excessive pride or self-confidence. In the Bible, hubris is seen as a very serious sin. God opposes the proud and hubristic, while giving grace to the humble (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6). Throughout Scripture, there are many examples of hubris being condemned and leading to downfall.
One of the most famous examples is the tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The people sought to “make a name for themselves” and build a tower that reaches to heaven. Their hubris led God to confuse their languages and scatter them across the earth.
In Daniel 4, King Nebuchadnezzar becomes exceedingly proud of his kingdom and accomplishments. He is humbled by God and made to live like an animal for seven years, until Nebuchadnezzar finally acknowledges God’s sovereignty. This teaches that pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18).
The downfall of Haman in the book of Esther provides another sobering example. Haman’s hubris leads him to seek to destroy all the Jews when Mordecai refuses to bow down to him. His excessive pride leads to his ruin. (Esther 3-7)
In the New Testament, Herod’s hubris leads to his gruesome death after he accepts worship and does not give glory to God (Acts 12:20-23). Pride was the original sin of Satan, and the cause of his downfall (Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:17).
Why does God oppose pride and hubris so strongly? Here are some key reasons evident in Scripture:
- Pride rejects God’s authority – A proud person puts their own will ahead of God’s and rejects His right to rule our lives. Pride is the rejection of submission to God (James 4:7).
- Pride distorts self-perception – The proud have an inflated view of themselves and their achievements. Pride deceives people about who they really are before God (Obadiah 3, Revelation 3:17).
- Pride causes self-reliance rather than reliance on God – A proud person trusts in themselves rather than humbly depending on the Lord. This amounts to idolatry (Psalm 10:4, Jeremiah 49:16).
- Pride exploits others and hinders relationships – Hubris leads to oppression, strife, arrogance and abuse of power. It destroys social harmony (Proverbs 13:10, 29:23).
- Pride precludes repentance – A proud person is less likely to see their sin and turn to God in humility for forgiveness and restoration (Psalm 10:11-13, Luke 18:9-14).
The Bible vividly portrays the ugliness of pride and offers sobering warnings about its dangers:
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.” (Proverbs 16:5)
“Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 18:12)
Scripture calls us to cultivate humility and walk in meekness rather than pride (Colossians 3:12, Zephaniah 2:3). Jesus embodied perfect humility, offering the ultimate model for believers (Philippians 2:3-11). Here are some key ways the Bible advises cultivating humility and overcoming pride:
- Remember that everything we have is from God – Abilities, intellect, possessions, accomplishments. Pride takes credit for what God has given (Deuteronomy 8:17-18, 1 Corinthians 4:7).
- Confess your inability to live rightly on your own – Apart from Christ we are all enslaved to sin. We rely fully on God’s grace (John 15:5, Romans 7:18).
- Focus on the needs of others – Humility counts others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3-4, Romans 12:10).
- Practice gratitude – Cultivate thankfulness for all God’s gifts. Don’t take credit for what you’ve been given (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Daniel 4:37).
- Purpose to serve – Follow Jesus’ example of washing feet and meeting needs. Avoid seeking prestige (John 13:1-17, Matthew 23:11-12).
- Receive correction humbly – Listen attentively to input and feedback from others. Don’t be defensive (Proverbs 12:1, 15:31-33).
In summary, the Bible resoundingly condemns hubris as an affront to God that ravages relationships and always precedes a fall. Scripture offers many sobering examples of the destruction pride causes. Yet there is hope – we can follow Christ’s model of humility, rely on God’s grace, and walk the path of wisdom by fearing the Lord and shunning evil (Proverbs 8:13, 16:6). God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble!
Here are some additional key Bible passages about hubris and humility:
Old Testament Warnings Against Pride:
– “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,” declares the LORD.” (Obadiah 1:3-4)
– “The LORD tears down the house of the proud.” (Proverbs 15:25)
– “The proud crown of the drunkards of Ephraim will be trodden underfoot.” (Isaiah 28:3)
– “The LORD Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled).” (Isaiah 2:12)
– “But those who are wicked shall be cut off; for they will seek his favor in vain.” (Psalm 37:10)
Examples of Destructive Pride:
– King Uzziah – “But when he had become strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was false to the LORD his God.” (2 Chronicles 26:16)
– Sennacherib – “Have you not heard that I determined it long ago? I planned from days of old what now I bring to pass, that you should make fortified cities crash into heaps of ruins.” (Isaiah 37:26)
– King Hezekiah – “But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him.” (2 Chronicles 32:25)
Warnings Against Self-Exaltation:
– “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8)
– “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2)
– “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 18:12)
Instructions to Walk in Humility:
– “Humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:33)
– “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
– “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
– “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” (1 Peter 5:5)
– “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Blessings of Humility:
– “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)
– “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honor, and life.” (Proverbs 22:4 KJV)
– “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11:2)
– “The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.” (Psalm 147:6)
Examples of Humility:
– Moses – “Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)
– David – “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.” (Psalm 131:2)
– Josiah – “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” (2 Kings 23:25)
– John the Baptist – “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30)
– Jesus – “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
In concluding this overview of what the Bible says about hubris, it is clear Scripture contains consistent and stark warnings against pride and arrogance. Hubris leads only to destruction, as many examples make vividly clear. The antidote is wholehearted humility before God, esteeming others over self. When we walk in humility, we discover the grace, wisdom and blessing the Lord promises to the humble. Our calling as believers is to clothe ourselves in Christlike humility for the glory of God and the good of others.