13 Bible Verses About Self-Control
13 Bible Verses About Self-Control: In the context of Christianity, self-control is the ability to resist temptation and to bring our thoughts, actions, and emotions under the control of the Holy Spirit, rather than giving in to the desires of the flesh.
Christians struggle with self-control because it requires us to curb our natural desires and rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
It is in our nature as humans to seek pleasure and shun suffering; Christians are required to live moral lives.
When we lack self-control, we could make decisions that are contrary to God’s will.
Gaining self-control enables us to withstand temptation and lead godly lives.
One of the fruits of the Spirit stated in Galatians 5:22–23 is self-control. It is the capacity to govern our feelings, ideas, and behaviors.
A lack of self-control can be caused by a variety of things. It could be brought on by fatigue, hunger, or stress in certain individuals.
- Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law.
- 2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.
- Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind so that, by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable, and perfect.
- 1 Corinthians 9:25–27
Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we are imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified.
- Galatians 5:13-16
You were called to freedom, brothers.
Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love, serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
- Titus 1:8
But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
- 1 Peter 4:7-8
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
- 2 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
- James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
- Ecclesiastes 7:9
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the hearts of fools.
- Proverbs 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.
- Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.