Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Pride is what made Lucifer into Satan, as described in Isaiah 14:12-14, leading to his expulsion from heaven.

As detailed in the book of Exodus, Pharaoh's pride in his own power and control, and his refusal to humble himself before God, led to the ten plagues that God imposed on Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn, and the destruction of Pharaoh's entire army when he pursued the Israelites.

The book of Esther shows how Haman's pride and desire to punish the Jews for Mordecai's refusal to bow before him resulted in his downfall and subsequent execution.

Daniel 4 relates how Nebuchadnezzar's pride led to humiliation and madness.

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Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Here is a possible sermon:

Sermon Title: Pride before destruction
Main Text: Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Introduction
Our world often celebrates confidence, achievement, and personal glory. But the Bible clearly warns: pride is dangerous. Pride isn't just a bad attitude—it’s a path to ruin.

Proverbs 16:18 teaches us that pride leads to destruction. In this message, we’ll explore 8 examples from Scripture where pride led directly to downfall. These stories are recorded not just as history, but as a mirror to examine our own hearts.

1. Lucifer – pride in heaven
Isaiah 14:12-15

“I will ascend… I will be like the Most High.”

Lucifer, once a glorious angel, became Satan because of pride. He wasn’t content to serve—he wanted to rule. Pride caused his fall. If pride could destroy an angel, none of us are immune.

2. Nebuchadnezzar – pride in success
Daniel 5:20; 4:30-37

“Is not this great Babylon, which I have built…?”

Nebuchadnezzar took credit for what God had done through him. God humbled him by taking his sanity until he learned to give glory where it belonged.

3. Belshazzar – pride in defiance
Daniel 5:23-24

Belshazzar mocked God by using sacred vessels from the temple in a feast. Daniel rebuked him: “You did not honor the God who holds your life.” That very night, Belshazzar was killed and Babylon fell.

4. Amaziah – pride in victory
2 Kings 14:10

“Your heart has lifted you up.”

After defeating Edom, Amaziah became overconfident and picked a fight with Israel. His pride led him into a battle he couldn’t win.

5. Uzziah – pride in position
2 Chronicles 26:16

“When he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction.”

Uzziah was a successful king, but when he tried to take over the role of priest, God struck him with leprosy. Pride made him forget his boundaries.

6. Hezekiah – pride in blessing
2 Chronicles 32:25

“Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, because his heart was proud.”

God healed Hezekiah and gave him extended life, but Hezekiah failed to show gratitude. His pride opened the door to future trouble for his kingdom.

7. Prince of Tyre – pride in self-glory
Ezekiel 28:2,17

“You said, ‘I am a god.’”

The ruler of Tyre believed his wealth and wisdom made him untouchable—even divine. God declared judgment on him for claiming God’s glory.

8. Herod – pride in praise
Acts 12:22-23

“This is the voice of a god, not a man!”

Herod received worship from the crowd and didn’t correct them. God struck him down, and he died in agony. Pride brings judgment quickly when God’s glory is stolen.

The cure for pride: humility
James 4:6 – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Philippians 2:5–8 – Jesus is our example of perfect humility.

1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, and He will lift you up.”

Application
Are you relying on yourself instead of God?

Are you quick to take credit or slow to give thanks?

Are you guarding your heart against subtle pride?

Will you humble yourself today before God humbles you?

Conclusion
Pride is deadly. It’s sneaky, deceptive, and destructive. It wrecked angels, kings, and empires. But humility is the path to grace and exaltation.

Let’s learn from these examples and walk humbly before our God.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 9:24; 1 Corinthians 1:31) -- (barebones outline from A. Naismith)

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Wilbur Fritz Supporter

Well, it all started "in the beginning"...

Adam and Eve believed what Satan told them instead of what God told them. They thought they could "become like God". That didn't work out too well.

In the story of Noah in Genesis 5, 8 people laid aside their own pride and followed God's instruction - the rest of the world perished. There is the story of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11. People thought they were good enough to reach God. Boy, were they "confused".;-)

There are many stories throughout the Bible of kings who thought they were "all that", but they disobeyed God and paid with their lives.

I'm no Bible authority, but I would suspect most, if not all, of the "falls" in the Bible stem from human pride. Thank God that we have a road map to follow away from the sin of pride: 

Roman's 3:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1John 1:9.

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