Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Too often this scripture is misquoted by well meaning Christians. They say, "Pride goes before a fall." WRONG! Pride goes before DESTRUCTION. Pride and haughtiness are both sin and very similar, however it is of utmost importance that we understand the difference. Haughtiness - being vain to the point of excessive and unpleasant self-important; thinks more highly of itself than it ought to; thinks it is something it is not; self-centered. Pride - indulging in self glory; full of independence of spirit; exalts itself above God; lifts itself up at the expense of others; puts others down to make itself look good. :cross: Think about this . . . Pride brings destruction; haughtiness brings a fall. Both are sin, but only one is final. When we fall we have a choice to get up or stay down. When we are destroyed we no longer have a choice; we stay down. We can get up from a fall, repent and be reconciled to God. But, what chance of reconciliation do we have if we are destroyed? Comparison . . . Pride lifts itself up at the expense of others; by putting them down and making them look bad so it can look good. This brings destruction, elimination and annihilation. Pride destroys itself by eliminating the importance of others. It brings positive attention to itself while bringing negative attention to others. Haughtiness brings positive attention to itself while not giving a second thought to anyone else, because it wants all the attention. What does this have to do with faith? Everything! When we walk in haughtiness or pride faith is not operating in our heart. We are not trusting God for anything. We are only trusting in our own abilities.