Bible Verses About Self-Control

"gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Self-control as a fruit of the Spirit — something grown, not just willed.

"and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control perseverance; and in perseverance godliness;"

Add to knowledge self-control — listed in the progression of virtue.

"Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint."

Like a city without walls is a person who lacks self-control — undefended.

"but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected."

I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave — Paul on active discipline.

"instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;"

To live self-controlled, upright and godly lives — the shape of sanctified living.

"The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, good at teaching;"

An overseer must be self-controlled — a qualification for leadership.

"One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city."

Better to be patient than powerful — ruling your spirit than taking a city.

"Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

Be sober-minded; be watchful — self-control in the context of spiritual opposition.

"Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service."

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice — a physical, disciplined act of worship.

"Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it."

I have learned contentment — contentment as a practised form of self-control.

"For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also."

Whoever is never at fault in what they say is perfect — the tongue as the test.

"Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips."

Set a guard over my mouth, Lord — the prayer version of self-control.

"For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control."

A spirit of self-discipline — given, not earned alone.

"All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby."

Discipline is painful now — but it produces a harvest of righteousness.

"so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober."

Be awake and sober — self-awareness as the foundation of self-control.