While on our way to Kansas City, we came upon a college town. As we were driving, we noticed an exit sign labeled “Pride Ave.” I thought, “That’s a strange name for a street. I hope it doesn’t lead to destruction!” Suddenly, I thought about Proverbs 16:18 in a whole new light:

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

Lucifer is a perfect example of this scripture. Satan allowed others to exalt him into something he wasn’t. The kings of the earth saw the splendor God had endowed him with. They knew Lucifer was precious to God. Yet Lucifer lost the reality of who he was and what he was created for. This didn’t end well for Lucifer, and it’s only going to get worse for him.

I can almost see Lucifer, in all his pride, preparing to give God a speech. I can see the words forming in ole Lucy’s heart: “I will ascend to the heavens…” as his haughty spirit began to work from the inside out. An arrogant, sleazy smile graced his face in all smugness! Boom! Jesus takes a double take as He witnesses Satan falling from heaven like lightning! (Luke 10:18).

I wonder if God said, “Wipe that look off your face, boy!” [SMACK] Lucifer smacked back so far, Google couldn’t find him.

Ezekiel 28:17 says it like this: “Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings.”

It must have been a sad day for God. Lucifer was special to Him, but he allowed pride to completely separate him from his Creator.

Proverbs 18:12 tells us: “Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”

We see a similar statement in Proverbs 29:23 (NKJV): “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”

What is interesting is that the word translated honor in both verses is the Hebrew word Kavod. This is the same word used to describe God’s glory. It signifies weight or heaviness, referring to His manifest presence.

You see—humility retains the manifested presence of God. Pride repels it!

The Point Is

Pride leads to destruction. Destruction starts in the heart. Pride is a self-destructive time bomb. As long as we resolve the heart issue, we will never have to worry about carrying a haughty spirit that eventually shows on the outside. We won’t have to fear haughty looks overtaking our faces or our mouths opening in a way that might result in a grand slam fall flat on our backside.

True honor, true glory, true Kavod—comes only through humility.

Prayer

Father, help me to walk humbly before You. Expose pride in my heart before it ever takes root. Remind me daily that Your glory rests on the humble, but pride pushes You away. Lord, quicken my spirit so that my words, actions, and even my thoughts reflect Your presence. May I never wander down “Pride Avenue,” but stay on the path that leads to honor, life, and Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.