Isaiah 14 : 13-16 (ESV)

You said in your heart,
     ‘I will ascend to heaven;
above the stars of God
     I will set my throne on high;
I will sit on the mount of assembly
    in the far reaches of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
    I will make myself like the Most High.’
But you are brought down to Sheol,
    to the far reaches of the pit.
Those who see you will stare at you
    and ponder over you:
‘Is this the man...

The above passage is specifically about Babylon. Chapter 14 of Isaiah is met to be a taunt towards the King of Babylon;however, what applies to this man can apply to any man. God allows events to unfold as he sees fit. God's purpose is not always apparent, but he usually provides for his people. Pride has its own reward--with pride usually comes disconnection with God and failure.

A great example of humility and pride is found in Paul. In acts chapter 20 Paul says,

. . . with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews . . . I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:19, 24) 

When looking at Paul--humility has a preserving purpose. Paul knows pride brings a corruption of the truth and only failure. He stresses (Acts 20:33 )that he doesn't seek silver, gold, or fancy clothing. Such things derail and even foster pride. Instead Paul perseveres forward on specific course. He strives to exemplify the Grace God bestows upon him and all people. Pride detracts from the grace Jesus provides, and Paul chooses not to allow this to happen.

John the Baptist also touches on this issue by analogy of earth and heaven:

John 3:30-36 (ESV)

He must increase, but I must decrease.He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

When we allow pride to build-up in our lives we fail to successfully bear the image of God. Jesus is about self-sacrifice and becoming the fulfillment of needs. Jesus becomes the deep well we may drink(John 4:13-15). He fulfills hunger with purpose (John 4:32,34). In our God is a perfect image: salvation--preserving grace.    When we allow pride to build in our lives we carry our imperfect image. Our image leads only to destruction. Pride leads to destruction.

But we don't need to carry pride. As Paul states, " . . ..we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." Part of having a savior is realizing our imperfection--the other part is embracing him.