The Spirit of Leviathan: Its Roots, Manifestations, and the War We Must Win

The controlling power over the people of pride is a Leviathan spirit.

Pride is inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank, or elevation in office . Pride manifests as rude treatment of others, contempt for others, and self-exultation.

Haughtiness is a step above pride. Scripture warns us plainly:

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” — Proverbs 16:18.

Haughtiness gives the appearance of pride, presenting a person as lofty, arrogant, and contemptuous. It proceeds from excessive pride mingled with disdain.

Entry Points of Pride and Haughtiness

Pride doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It has entry points:

• Rejection

• Trauma

• Status

• Wealth

• Insecurity

• Education

• Ridicule

• Religion

• Power

• Beauty

• Generational inheritance

• Sibling rivalry

• Fame

A biblical example is King Nebuchadnezzar, whose heart was lifted up and hardened in pride until God deposed him from his throne (Daniel 5:20) .

Pride is a problem for everyone at some point. If we claim we don’t have pride, we haven’t looked deep enough into the darkness of our souls.

David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is our model for cleansing, repentance, and humility.

Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions. ²Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. ³For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin [is] always before me. ... ¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me (Psalms 51:1-3, 10). 

What Scripture Says About Pride

The Bible tells us what happens to prideful people: destruction and downfall. It also tells us the opposite of pride is love — a love that “does not behave rudely, does not seek its own… rejoices in the truth… bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” — 1 Corinthians 13:5–7.

Pride shows up in many forms:

• Religion

• Profession

• Heritage

• Nationality

• Regional identity

• LGBT pride

• Gender pride (machismo, feminism)

• Ministry pride

• Vanity, egotism, smugness, arrogance

  
  

Jesus said, ²¹ "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ "All these evil things come from within and defile a man." - Mark 7:21–23

The Fruit of Pride

Pride produces:

• Self-deception

• Exalted feelings

• Idleness

• Strife

• Rejection of God’s Word

• Rebellion

• Scorn

• Stubbornness

• Self-righteousness

• Criticism

• Fault-finding

• Overbearing behavior

• Impatience

• An “always right” attitude

  
  

Paul warns us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought (Romans 12:3). Pride also manifests through:

• Division

• Strife

• Control

• Manipulation

• Gossip

• Interrupting

• Idolatry

• Anger

• Performance mentality

  
  

Philippians 2:3 commands us to esteem others better than ourselves.

Pride often protects deep hurts. Many cannot recognize pride because it doesn’t always look like bragging — sometimes it looks like defensiveness, withdrawal, or self-preservation.

The Demonic Side of Pride

Demons connected to pride can be inherited:

• Anger

• Controlling spirits

• Manipulation

• Critical spirits

• Judgmental spirits

• Strife

• Dissension

• Gossip

• Religion

• Rejection

• Haughtiness

• Rebellion

  
  

We live in a culture obsessed with attention, fame, and self-exaltation. People elevate themselves at the expense of dignity, truth, and righteousness.

Jesus taught that greatness comes through servanthood (Mark 10:43–45). And Paul warned that pride is among the sins worthy of judgment (Romans 1:30–32).

Humility: The Key to Freedom

Humility is the key to resisting the devil and walking free from demonic infestation.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble… Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” — James 4:6–10.

Paul warned Timothy that the last days would be marked by pride, arrogance, rebellion, and haughtiness (2 Timothy 3:1–5). All of these behaviors are rooted in pride.

Leviathan: The King of Pride

Scripture identifies a principality ruling over pride: Leviathan.

Job 41 describes Leviathan in detail, concluding: “He is king over all the children of pride.” — Job 41:34 .

Leviathan appears in:

• Psalm 74:14

• Psalm 104:26

• Isaiah 27:1

  
  

Leviathan is defined as a wreathed animal — serpent, crocodile, sea monster — and symbolically represents Babylon, chaos, and the dragon.

Characteristics of Leviathan

• Twists the truth to empower self

• Offers false protection through pride

• Prevents full trust in God

• Roots itself in self-preservation

  
  

New Age spirituality embraces “self as god,” universal energy, and chaos — unknowingly aligning with the ancient spirit of Leviathan. Isaiah prophesied Leviathan’s destruction (Isaiah 27:1).

The Dragon, the Beast, and the Spirit of Pride

Revelation 13 shows the dragon empowering the beast, and the world worshiping both. Pride, arrogance, and lawlessness are evident.

We see pride today in:

• LGBT pride

• Abortion activism

• Feminist movements

• Political extremism

• Black Lives Matter

• White supremacy

• And many other lawless groups

  
  

None of these agendas serves God; they serve self.

Revelation 19:19–20 shows the final judgment of the beast and the false prophet.

The War We Must Fight

There are two armies: God’s and Satan’s.

We must learn to war for the Bride, discern Satan’s schemes, pray strategically, and tear down strongholds in our lives and communities. We must occupy until Jesus returns.

Let's pray,

Heavenly Father, it is no surprise to You when we struggle with pride. We all have this terrible characteristic buried within our souls, and You are the one who can deliver us from such. I echo the words of David, a man after Your own heart. Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Help me to humble myself and allow Your will to always be done in and through me. In Jesus' name, Amen