13 Characteristics of a Prideful Heart (and How to Heal It)

Pride is tricky. It often hides beneath fear, quietly growing like weeds in the garden of our hearts. Some weeds even look like flowers—harmless at first—so we don’t notice they’re slowly choking the life out of who we truly are.

At its core, pride is rooted in deep insecurity, fear, and feelings of unworthiness. It acts like a shield, covering the fragile parts of us—the shame, the pain, the deep places we hope no one sees. But pride’s protection is exhausting.

It convinces us to carry burdens only God was meant to bear—like being our own protector and source of strength. Instead of opening ourselves to healing, we build walls. And while those walls might feel safe, they block the sunlight and starve the good soil of our hearts.

Defeating Pride

Defeating pride requires the kind of humility Jesus modeled. Though He was perfect, He received the opposite of what He deserved—mockery, judgment, scorn, even death. Yet He never tried to defend His reputation or convince those bent on misunderstanding Him to see differently. When the Pharisees and even the devil tempted Him to prove His divinity, He didn’t engage. He stayed focused on His mission, rooted in surrender and love.

That same surrender is essential for us. Pride thrives in fear—fear of what people think, fear of failing, fear of not being enough. We fear not being beautiful or handsome enough, not having the ideal family or the “perfect” relationship with God. But true humility means dying to these worldly standards. It means letting go of every fear and choosing to be formed by God’s truth instead of culture’s expectations.

This is why we need God’s love to cast out fear (1 John 4:18). Only His love is strong enough to uproot the pride that disguises itself as self-protection. When fear loosens its grip, pride loses its power—and we’re free to live as radical Christians: humble, surrendered, and fully alive in Christ.

Related Article: 7 Causes Of Pride + 7  Steps To Be More Humble!

12 Characteristics of a Prideful Person

1. Insecurity

At its root, pride can come from insecurity. You might have a fragile ego—easily hurt, offended, or triggered. Instead of showing your wounds, you hide behind toughness or false confidence. This mask protects your vulnerability from judgment, but it also keeps you from healing.

Examples:

• You pretend you’re okay when you’re falling apart, because asking for help feels weak.
• You over correct others, or you lash out when corrected because it feels like an attack on your identity.
• You compare yourself constantly, needing to prove your worth or success.
• You exaggerate your accomplishments or twist stories to gain affirmation.

Pride says, “Don’t let them see you weak.” Healing says, “It’s okay to need help.”

2. Self-Righteousness

Believing that you are more blessed or “favored” because you’re more special or worked harder than others leads to entitlement and judgment. You may feel the need to correct people, prove yourself, or take credit for your own success. Humility reminds us that grace—not effort alone—opens doors.

Examples:

• You judge others for not reading their Bible or praying as much.
• You think you’ve earned your blessings, while others are lazy or irresponsible.
• You speak “truth” to others without empathy or relationship.
• You withhold grace because “they should’ve known better” or “tried harder.”

Pride says, “I would never.” Humility says, “But for the grace of God, I could’ve too.”

Related Article: 7 Causes Of Pride + 7  Steps To Be More Humble!

3. Selfishness

Pride shows up as selfishness when life becomes all about your needs, comfort, and image. It resists sacrifice and prioritizes self over God and others. At its core, selfishness says, “I matter most.”

Examples:

• Struggling to celebrate others’ wins
• Giving only when it benefits you
• Withdrawing when you don’t get your way
• Making decisions based on ego, not love

Pride fuels self-centered living—humility invites surrender and connection.

4. Control Issues

Trying to control everything—your life, others, and outcomes—reveals a belief that you know better than God. It’s a heavy burden, and it makes it hard to truly “let go and let God.” Surrender becomes the path to peace.

Examples:

• You manipulate people with guilt, silence, or passive-aggressiveness.
• You gaslight others when your authority is challenged—twisting truth to stay “right.”
• You micromanage in relationships and can’t delegate at work or home.
• You struggle to trust God fully, needing a backup plan for everything.

Pride says, “I know best.” Trust says, “Even if I don’t understand, God does.”

5. Power-Hungry

Do you always need to be right or in charge? This drive can come from a fear of being insignificant or overlooked. But authority without compassion is just pride in disguise.

Examples:

• You dominate group conversations or dismiss others’ input.
• You insert comments or behaviors that highlight your status or superiority—how much you earn, who you know, or what you’ve accomplished.
• You correct people harshly and/or publicly to “teach them a lesson.”
• You refuse to apologize first—even when you know you hurt someone.
• You need constant recognition and affirmation to feel validated.

Pride feeds on power. Humility leads with service.

Related Article: 26 Examples of Pride in the Bible

6. Perfectionism

Fasting, praying, working harder—these spiritual practices are powerful, but when fueled by pride or comparison, they lose their purity. You might strive to earn approval from others or from God, instead of receiving grace.

Examples:

• You can’t rest unless everything is “just right.”
• You feel ashamed when you mess up, instead of extending grace to yourself.
• You try to impress others with your “discipline” or faith routines.
• You feel resentment when others succeed without “working as hard.”

Pride says, “I have to earn it.” Grace says, “You already are enough.”

7. People-Pleasing

While people-pleasing may look like humility, it often hides fear of rejection or a craving for approval. When you constantly try to impress or gain the love of others, you’re placing your worth in performance. You don’t have to prove you’re amazing to be loved.

Examples:

• You say yes to everything—even when you’re exhausted—so no one’s disappointed.
• You hide your true feelings to avoid conflict or rejection.
• You’re terrified of being misunderstood, so you over-explain or defend yourself constantly.
• You feel hurt when others don’t acknowledge your sacrifices, even though you never asked for help.

Pride says, “They must like me.” Love says, “God delights in me already.”

8. Judgmental Attitude

Believing that no one helped you succeed leads to harshness toward others who are still struggling. You may see others as lazy or less worthy—forgetting the support, favor, and grace that helped you along the way.

Examples:

• You roll your eyes at people who “still struggle” with things you’ve overcome.
• You feel people that are intensely suffering may have done something to “cause” it.
• You assume someone isn’t spiritual because they don’t express faith like you.
• You think people who disagree with you are “less mature” or “worldly.”
• You share prayer requests that are really just veiled gossip.

Pride builds walls. Compassion builds bridges.

Related Article: 26 Examples of Pride in the Bible

9. Rebellion

Thinking you know better than God often leads to taking your own path, even when it contradicts His will. Rebellion may feel like independence, but it’s often pride in disguise.

Examples:

• You put your desires, needs, and feelings before God’s truth and people’s feelings.
• You ghost leaders, mentors, or friends who challenge you.
• You get defensive when corrected—even if it’s done in love.
• You do the opposite of what you’re told just to prove a point.
• You use your pain as an excuse to disobey what you know is right.

Pride says, “No one tells me what to do.” Wisdom says, “Correction is protection.”

10. Boastful

Pride wants to be seen, admired, and praised. If you find yourself constantly needing to prove your accomplishments or “flex” your success, it might be time to reflect on why.

Examples:

• You humble-brag about your generosity, accomplishments, or spiritual growth.
• You need people to know how much you’ve sacrificed.
• You casually mention status or connections for admiration.
• You drop deep quotes or scriptures—not to encourage, but to impress.

Pride seeks applause. Humility lives quietly and loves deeply.

11. Ungrateful

Even when you work hard and do everything right, things can still go wrong. Pride convinces you that your success is only due to your effort. But humility acknowledges that every good thing comes from God—and His grace is the true source of our strength.

Examples:

• You’re constantly frustrated that God hasn’t answered your prayers yet.
• You compare your journey to others and feel cheated or overlooked.
• You feel like God owes you ease because of your obedience.
• You complain more than you worship.

Pride says, “I deserve better.” Humility says, “Even this is more than I deserve.”

Related Article: Dying To Self: 4 Tips To Crucify the Flesh!

12. Hypocrisy

Pride blinds. Like the scales that fell from Paul’s eyes (Acts 9:18), we may walk around doing what we think is right, when in truth, we’re walking in deception. Pride convinces us that we’re helping, serving, or correcting in love—when we’re really just projecting or controlling through a dirty filter (bad vision).

Examples:

• Calling out others’ sin while ignoring your own.
• Justifying gossip or criticism as “discernment.”
• Believing you’re spiritually mature while harboring bitterness.

Scripture says to remove the log from your own eye before pointing at the speck in another’s (Matthew 7:3-5). Paul’s scales had to fall from his eyes before he could clearly see (Acts 9:18).

13. Fearful

Fear can drive pride. The fear of being hurt, rejected, not being enough, or being unworthy can lead us to overcompensate or self-protect in unhealthy ways. You may micromanage life, isolate, or perform to avoid feeling weak.

• Fear of rejection: You hide your true self or sabotage relationships before they can hurt you.
• Fear of letting go: You don’t trust God to provide, so you over-control or stay anxious.
• Fear disguised as cynicism: You mock hope or optimism because you’re afraid of being let down again.

Pride refuses to admit, “I’m scared.” But healing begins when we do.

Why Pride Is Exhausting

Pride demands performance. It wants to be better, do more, prove worth. But the truth is, you were never meant to carry that weight alone. The prideful heart tries to protect itself from feeling small or unseen—but ends up robbing itself of peace, joy, and connection.

When we do things from a place of humility, we make space for God’s presence and power to work in our lives. Without it, we may gain earthly success but lose inner peace and emotional intimacy.

7 Steps to Heal a Prideful Heart

• Stop trying to prove others wrong. You don’t have to win every argument or be the smartest in the room.
• Ask for help. You don’t have to do everything by yourself.
• Celebrate others. Life is not a competition.
• Purify your heart. Let go of hidden motives and self-glory.
• Learn to love yourself. Worth isn’t earned—it’s received.
• Give yourself grace. Being hard on yourself isn’t humility; it’s self-rejection.
• Accept the finished work of Christ. You don’t have to strive for what’s already been given.

Read More: 7 Steps To Overcome Pride

Final Thoughts

Pride is tricky. It sneaks in under the guise of independence, confidence, and even spirituality. But when you begin to uncover it, there’s an opportunity for healing—and freedom.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to walk with you. As an empowerment coach, I help people uncover the root causes of perfectionism, people-pleasing, insecurity, and pride. Together, we’ll process emotions, set aligned goals, and stay accountable to the version of you that walks in confidence, humility, and peace.

Let’s talk through it and begin your healing journey—it starts with one brave step.