Proverb 16:18, Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

This proverb also does not talk about the order of things but it talks about the boldness of pride in the face of destruction or the boldness of a haughty spirit in the face of a fall.

The haughty spirit may be faced with destruction, it may be faced with a fall and yet it marches toward those destinations with full stride and full power.

That is a picture of the slavery of pride!

God despises haughtiness. This is what he thinks of it. In:

2 Sam 22:28, we read: And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. And in:

Isa 10:33, we read: Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.

Almighty God has degreed that the haughty shall be humbled! They will be brought down.

There is no doubt about it. The haughty, those who are lifted up shall be made low.

This proverb tells us that although the threat of destruction or a fall will not stop the march of the haughty heart, God will allow destruction to take place, he will allow a fall to take place so that humility can do its work.

Haughtiness always measures self above others.

It has a contempt for others. It is lofty and arrogant. It is pride mingled with contempt.

Haughtiness uses the wrong standard to measure itself, it uses the wrong yardstick.

Haughtiness refuses to recognize that the standard is God and not man.

That is the fatal error of haughtiness.

Haughtiness refers primarily to the attitude of one's heart.

Haughtiness is an imagination of the heart.

What the heart imagines it to be, the heart convinces that person he is.

Haughtiness is simply a deceit of the heart.

In the Greek it is sometimes translated from a word meaning "to wrap in smoke."

It emphasizes the plight of the one who has been blinded by personal pride.

Haughtiness is rebellion against God because it attributes to self the honor and glory due to God alone.

It covets God's glory.

Haughty persons do not think it necessary to ask forgiveness because they do not admit their sin or their sinful condition.

They are above such thoughts applying to them.

This attitude toward God is duplicated in the haughty person's attitude toward others.

The haughty have a low estimate of the ability and worth of others and therefore treat them with either contempt or cruelty.

Haughtiness refuses to recognize the image of God in others.