Bible verses about self-control offer timeless wisdom for mastering our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Throughout Scripture, we find numerous passages that emphasize the importance of self-discipline as a key attribute of spiritual maturity and godly living. These verses provide guidance and encouragement for believers seeking to develop greater self-control in various aspects of their lives, from speech and relationships to resisting temptation and pursuing spiritual growth. By studying and applying these teachings, we can cultivate a stronger sense of self-discipline, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and purposeful Christian life.
Self-control is the ability to regulate one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in the face of temptations and impulses. It involves exercising restraint, making wise choices, and aligning one’s actions with one’s values and beliefs.
In the context of Christian faith, self-control is seen as a vital spiritual discipline that allows believers to resist sinful urges, make godly decisions, and live in a manner that honors God.
This virtue enables individuals to:
Manage their thoughts and emotions effectively
Resist temptations and overcome harmful habits
Speak and act with wisdom and consideration
Maintain healthy relationships
Pursue long-term spiritual growth over short-term gratification
The Bible consistently highlights the significance of self-control as a key attribute of a mature Christian. It is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 and is often associated with wisdom, patience, and godliness. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, we find numerous examples and teachings that emphasize the value of mastering one’s impulses and desires.
Let’s delve into these 90 Bible verses about self-control, organized into meaningful categories to help you apply these teachings to various aspects of your life.
Verses on the Nature of Self-Control
Proverbs 25:28 – “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, 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 and love and self-control.”
Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
1 Corinthians 9:25 – “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
2 Peter 1:5-6 – “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.”
Proverbs 16:32 – “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6 – “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”
1 Peter 4:7 – “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
Titus 1:8 – “But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.”
Verses on Self-Control in Speech
Proverbs 13:3 – “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
Proverbs 21:23 – “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Proverbs 17:27 – “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
Psalm 141:3 – “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”
Matthew 12:36-37 – “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Verses on Self-Control in Thoughts and Emotions
2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Proverbs 14:29 – “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
James 1:20 – “For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 – “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”
Proverbs 16:32 – “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Proverbs 19:11 – “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Colossians 3:2 – “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Verses on Self-Control in Actions and Behavior
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Galatians 5:16 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Romans 13:14 – “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
1 Peter 1:13 – “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Proverbs 25:16 – “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.”
1 Corinthians 6:12 – “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be dominated by anything.”
Titus 2:2 – “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.”
1 Timothy 3:2 – “Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.”
Proverbs 23:20-21 – “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.”
1 Thessalonians 4:4 – “That each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.”
Verses on Self-Control in Relationships
Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”
Ephesians 4:2 – “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”
Colossians 3:13 – “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
Proverbs 20:3 – “It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.”
Romans 12:18 – “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
James 3:17-18 – “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Proverbs 26:20 – “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.”
Verses on Self-Control in Spiritual Discipline
1 Corinthians 9:27 – “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”
1 Timothy 4:7-8 – “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Romans 6:12 – “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.”
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Philippians 3:12-14 – “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Verses on Self-Control in Temptation
James 1:14-15 – “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
Matthew 4:1-4 – “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”‘”
Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
1 John 2:16 – “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
Luke 22:40 – “And when he came to the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.'”
Romans 6:14 – “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
2 Timothy 2:22 – “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
Verses on the Rewards of Self-Control
Proverbs 22:4 – “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”
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.”
Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Proverbs 21:21 – “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”
Matthew 5:5 – “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
1 Corinthians 9:25 – “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
Revelation 2:7 – “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Proverbs 25:28 – “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
1 Peter 1:13-14 – “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance.”
Verses on Seeking God’s Help for Self-Contro
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Psalm 119:11 – “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Ephesians 3:16 – “That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being.”
Psalm 141:3-4 – “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!”
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 straight your paths.”
Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Applying Bible Verses About Self-Control in Daily Life
As we’ve explored these 90 Bible verses about self-control, we can see that this virtue is central to living a godly life. Self-control impacts every aspect of our existence, from our thoughts and emotions to our actions and relationships. By cultivating self-discipline through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in our faith and become more effective witnesses for Christ.
To apply these teachings in your daily life:
Memorize key verses that resonate with you, allowing Scripture to guide your thoughts and actions.
Practice mindfulness, being aware of your impulses and choosing to respond rather than react.
Seek accountability from fellow believers who can encourage and support you in your journey.
Pray regularly for God’s strength and guidance in areas where you struggle with self-control.
Reflect on these verses during times of temptation or difficulty, drawing strength from God’s Word.
Remember, developing self-control is a process that requires patience and perseverance. As you strive to master your thoughts, emotions, and actions, lean on God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. By doing so, you’ll not only experience personal growth but also become a powerful example of Christ’s transformative love to those around you.
