A Biblical Exploration of Humility and Self-Exaltation
“I am proud of myself.”
Have you ever overcome a personal challenge and felt proud? Have you reached a specific goal to then celebrate? Have you been pleased with your test scores, your work accomplishment, your contribution to the team?
In our world’s culture, we’ve learned to put emphasis on self-promotion, self-care, and personal achievement. Self-esteem has benefits. We are precious in the eyes of the Lord and were made by His perfect will. That makes us common dirt creatures something to shout about.
But our society has adopted a me-first mindset—the subtle glorification of self and personal achievements. This outlook overshadows the virtues of humility and collective reliance, steering the heart toward self-centeredness rather than toward God’s intended design for community.
Pride, at its core, can be defined as an inflated sense of self-worth or a deep satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, possessions, or qualities. In Scripture, pride often carries a connotation of self-exaltation which is a dangerous departure from the humility our Lord calls us to embrace and amplify.
Unlike today’s celebrated personal successes and individuality, Scripture reveals the focus on self as a dangerous spiritual drift—a move where human self-reliance overshadows the essential need for God’s guidance and sovereignty. Pride is most frequently packaged as an individual achievement, the very opposite of the biblical embrace of communal dependence, shared purpose, and humility before God. We are called the body of Christ for a reason. No one Believer can accomplish God’s plans without brothers and sisters at his/her side or more profoundly, without the Spirit working in and through the collective parts of the body.
The Nature of Pride
Pride is a hot topic in the Bible.
Starting with that old serpent, Satan, pride seems to have entered the realm of heaven before slithering down to infect human creatures. It was pride that took out the son of dawn (Ezekiel 28:14), the special cherub God created to serve on His holy mountain. Take a look at Isaiah 14: 11-21 for a reminder on the original story and aftermath of Satan’s self-exaltation.
Your pomp and the music of your harps
Have been brought down to Sheol;
Maggots are spread out as your bed beneath you
And worms are your covering.’
How you have fallen from heaven,
O star of the morning, son of the dawn!
You have been cut down to the earth,
You who have weakened the nations!
But you said in your heart,to
“I will ascend to heaven;
I will raise my throne above the stars of God,
And I will sit on the mount of assembly
In the recesses of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.”
Nevertheless, you will be thrust down to Sheol,
To the recesses of the pit.
You will not be united with them in burial,
Because you have ruined your country,
You have slain your people.
May the offspring of evildoers not be mentioned forever.
Prepare for his sons a place of slaughter
Because of the iniquity of their fathers.
They must not arise and take possession of the earth.
While the above Scriptures were written in response to the prideful rise of the king of Babylon, through his scribe Isaiah, God interjects the story of Lucifer, now called Satan, as a parallel to the king. Pride, regardless of who carries it, leads to chaos and destruction.
Note the consequences of pride listed in these verses:
- Thrust into to darkness
- Separated from light
- Inherited impact on families/communities/nations
- Division
- Fractured relationships
Proverbs 16:18 teaches, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall,” underscoring the inevitable downfall that accompanies an inflated sense of self-worth. Pride not only alienates individuals from God but also blinds them to their spiritual shortcomings, preventing repentance and fostering a spirit of self-reliance. Ouch!
James 4:6 underscores this point by declaring, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” The Lord’s position on conceit, arrogance, and self-importance is clear: pride is a barrier to the divine, while humility opens the door of grace.
The Dangers of Pride
Pride creates a chasm between humanity and God, as illustrated in Psalm 10, where the wicked are consumed by thoughts that leave no room for divine connection.
The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him.
All his thoughts are, “There is no God.” – Psalm 10:4
This destructive force not only blinds individuals to their spiritual shortcomings but also wreaks havoc on relationships, sowing seeds of conflict as Proverbs 13 warns.
Through insolence comes nothing but strife,
But wisdom is with those who receive counsel. – Proverbs 13:10
Humility as the Antidote
Humility stands as the counterweight to the destructive force of pride and Christ serves as our living example. Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross.
And let’s not forget that before he died for you and me, Christ washed the feet of men who’d walked through dirty streets in sandals. The picture we are painted is this: God scrubbed calloused, dusty feet with toe jam. The contrast here is great: the higher position you hold, in the lower capacity you should serve.
Practical Steps to Overcome
Writing is my side gig. As an author, I’m a one-woman show and not only is the writing up to me, but the business of selling books and marketing fall into my job description as well. Marketing tips from my publisher and google say self-promotion is essential to any author’s success. Daily I try to balance on the tight rope of exercising good business practices and self-promotion. Do I sound prideful when I say my book or Bible study is a good read, or awarded? Do I ignore the common marketing practices for the sake of humility?
I haven’t found the answer to this question. My self-marketing attempts are hit and miss. As an officially employed director over a marketing department as my full-time gig, I know what a mess of I’ve made in the world of sales.
But to try and keep pride from slipping in like the serpent slipped up to Eve, I found the following to help me balance the rope:
- Asking the Lord to search my heart (Psalm 139:23-24)
- Serving others to cultivate humility (Mathew 25:35-40)
- Daily reliance on God’s grace and sovereignty (Proverbs 22:4)
Conclusion
In today’s world, laying aside our pride is no small feat. The delicate balance between a positive biblical view of self and the humility the Lord demands is a daily, if not hourly test. But with striving to glorify God in our actions rather than ourselves, we can walk the tightrope with faith and purpose, knowing that humility is not the absence of self but the acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty in every success and trial. Let this journey be one of intentionality—seeking to serve, grow, and honor Him in all we do.
If I perish, I perish,
Laurie
And speaking of humility, my upcoming Bible study, Underestimated, is the perfect example of how God uses the unlikely, the overlooked, and the underestimated for His glory. Think of it as a guide to embracing your inner David while facing your Goliaths—or that one coworker in the break room who always “accidentally” takes your coffee creamer. Join me as we dig into Scripture and discover how God’s plan for women is quite surprising! Coming soon to a bookshelf (and heart) near you.