Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 

Contrasting Paths – Pride vs. Humility: The Path of Pride: A haughty heart refuses to yield and trusts in itself. It neglects God, ignores warnings, and ultimately leads to a sudden fall (Matt. 23:12; Luke 14:11). The Path of Humility: A humble spirit is willing to serve and trusts in God alone. It depends on Him, reveres His guidance, embraces correction, and receives lasting honour.

Five examples of destruction through pride: Lucifer exalted himself above God and was cast down (Ezek. 28:11-17; 1Tim. 3:6). Jezebel had pride in power and idolatry and ended in a violent death (2Kin. 9:30-33). Goliath mocked God’s people and fell by a shepherd boy (1Sam. 17). Nebuchadnezzar boasted in his kingdom and was humbled by madness (Dan. 4). Belshazzar defied God by profaning holy vessels and was slain that very night (Dan. 5).

Five examples of humility before honour: Joseph was humbled through slavery and prison, then exalted in Egypt (Gen. 37-44). Gideon called himself the least, and God made him a mighty deliverer (Jdg. 6). David was a humble shepherd and was chosen as king after Saul (1Sam. 17-18). Solomon asked not for riches, but wisdom; God gave him both (1Kin. 3). Jesus Christ humbled Himself unto death; God exalted Him above all (Php. 2:5-11).

Pride goes before a fall (cf. Pro. 16:18); humility precedes honour. Destruction may not always be immediate, but pride sets a person on a collision course with God’s justice.

Humility, on the other hand, invites God’s grace: “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Jas. 4:6).

Evaluate your heart and depart from any form of pride, whether in success, relationships or talents. Repent from them by asking God to forgive you in those areas and to change you. Practice humility: be quick to listen, slow to speak, open to correction, and willing to serve. Don’t chase honour, pursue humility, and let God raise you up in His time (Jas. 4:10; 1Pet. 5:6).

Pride brings collapse; humility brings elevation. The proud build on sand. The humble build on the Rock. In God’s economy, the way up is down; only the lowly are lifted.

Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility. 

The word “haughty” refers to arrogance, self-exaltation, or pride, an inflated view of oneself and a disregard for others or for God. The “heart” in Hebrew thought is not just the seat of emotion, but the core of thinking, willing, and desiring. A haughty heart is one where pride has infected the deepest inner life of a person.

‘Before destruction…’ This pride is presented as a predictor or precursor to destruction. It’s a downward moral spiral: pride leads people to overestimate themselves, ignore warnings, and resist correction, making destruction inevitable. Pride blinds. Pride isolates. Pride hardens. Then comes the fall.

‘Before honour is humility.’ The counterpart to destruction is honour, which here implies public recognition, blessing, promotion, and favour, especially from God. The road to such honour is not pride, but humility, a low view of oneself in relation to God, and a willingness to submit, serve, and obey. Humility opens the heart to wisdom, growth, a relationship with God, and favour before man.

Jesus emphasised this principle repeatedly: “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12)

To be continued…