Proverbs 16:18–Pride Goes Before Destruction

Proverbs 16:18–"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before the fall."

This is one of those well-known pithy sayings of the Bible.  Many people, even unbelievers, seem to recognize the validity of this saying.  The heart of this passage is about the persistent and deadly poison of pride.  Pride is a toxin that can sour and destroy any person.  Pride is a vulgar, disgusting venom that props up people on homemade castles of cards.  With one blow the castles and the person is felled, forced to humility by humiliation.  It is so vital, then, that we would strive to maintain a penitent and humble spirit, a mind that would put others first, and a heart that loves with compassion and gentleness. After all, this verse is a principle and a warning.  Let us pray to heed the warning so that the principle therein does not again prove itself true in our own lives.