Proverbs 18:12 - Pride And Destruction

Prov 18:12 (NCV)  Proud people will be ruined, but the humble will be
honored.

The proud attitude heads the list of seven things God hates (6:16-17). [Life
Application SB]

Since destruction is the natural consequence of sin, and pride is the basic
sin, it is to be expected that men's hearts should reach the heights of
haughtiness before the consequences of sin overtake them. [SDA Commentary]

It is an old and common saying, that "coming events cast their shadows
before them;" the wise man teaches us that a haughty heart is the prophetic
prelude of evil. Pride is as safely the sign of destruction as the change of
mercury in the weather-glass is the sign of rain; and far more infallibly so
than that. When men have ridden the high horse, destruction has always
overtaken them. Let David's aching heart show that there is an eclipse of a
man's glory when he dotes upon his own greatness. 2 Sam. 24:10. See
Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty builder of Babylon, creeping on the earth,
devouring grass like oxen, until his nails had grown like bird's claws, and
his hair like eagle's feathers. Dan. 4:33. Pride made the boaster a beast,
as once before it made an angel a devil. God hates high looks, and never
fails to bring them down. All the arrows of God are aimed at proud hearts. O
Christian, is thine heart haughty this evening? For pride can get into the
Christian's heart as well as into the sinner's; it can delude him into
dreaming that he is "rich and increased in goods, and hath need of nothing."
Art thou glorying in thy graces or thy talents? Art thou proud of thyself,
that thou hast had holy frames and sweet experiences? Mark thee, reader,
there is a destruction coming to thee also. Thy flaunting poppies of
self-conceit will be pulled up by the roots, thy mushroom graces will wither
in the burning heat, and thy self-sufficiency shall become as straw for the
dunghill. If we forget to live at the foot of the cross in deepest lowliness
of spirit, God will not forget to make us smart under his rod. A destruction
will come to thee, O unduly exalted believer, the destruction of thy joys
and of thy comforts, though there can be no destruction of thy soul.
Wherefore, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." [Morning and
Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]