Self-control is one of the hardest personality traits to develop. We always want to live life to the fullest and enjoy everything we have at the maximum level, and sometimes it’s difficult to not overdo it.
But even if it is hard, it is important to have self-control. There are simply times when we need to restrain ourselves.
The Bible regards self-control as one of the “fruits of the Spirit.” It teaches us that discipline and self-restraint are values that feed our souls with happiness and good health.
In this post, we share with you a few Bible verses about self-control and how to build and develop it. We carefully picked these verses because we believe that they can help and inspire you in developing your self-restraint.
Before we proceed, let us share with you our thoughts on why developing self-control is important.
Why Build Your Self-Control?
Lack of self-control can quickly lead to greed, and greed ultimately leads to depression and misery. When you can’t get enough of what you ought to keep at a minimum, you become possessed by hunger and selfishness.
All these negative emotions fill your heart with sadness. You might not be able to detect them as soon as they emerge, but they gradually blackening your mind, heart, and soul. This is why it is important to learn to control yourself as early as possible.
Self-control is the path to true happiness. Controlling yourself does not necessarily mean depriving yourself of what makes you happy. You can still enjoy things, but you do so with moderation and balance.
Now that you have learned why it is important to learn self-control, let’s check out some Bible verses and get inspired!
- “It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” – Proverbs 25:27-28
- “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:11-13
- “Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” – 1 Corinthians 7:5
“Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” – 1 Corinthians 7:5
- “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4
- “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” – 1 Timothy 3:2-3
- “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers are silent, so he opened not his mouth.” – Isaiah 53:7
- “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5
- “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age…” – Titus 2:11-12
- “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Peter 1:5-8
- “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
- “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:19-20
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
- “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” – Ephesians 6:12
- “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” – 1 Corinthians 9:25
- “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” – Proverbs 25:28
- “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:10-11
- “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2
- “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” – Proverbs 29:11
- “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!” – Psalm 141:3-4
- “Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” – Titus 2:6-8
- “Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” – 1 Timothy 2:9-10
Final Thoughts on Bible Verses about Self-Control
If you want to free yourself from a unhappiness, you need to practice self-control. It definitely won’t be easy, but we believe that you are capable of living a life of moderation.
We hope that these bible verses can help you develop your self-discipline and lend a hand when you feel like you are struggling.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 21 Bible Verses About Helping Others in Need
- 55 Bible Verses About Gratitude to Be More Thankful in Life
- 33 Bible Verses About Dealing with Stress in Your Life
Finally, if you want to increase your happiness and life satisfaction, then watch this free video that details the 7-minute habit for planning your day to focus on what's important.
