In a world where we are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage impulsive behavior and indulgence, it can be challenging to maintain control over our emotions, behaviors, and impulses. However, self-control is a critical skill that can help us navigate through life’s challenges and temptations.
The ability to govern our emotions, behaviors, and impulses is essential for achieving our goals and living a fulfilling life. Whether it’s resisting the urge to eat that extra slice of cake, resisting the urge to make an impulse purchase, or resisting the urge to lash out in anger, self-control is crucial in ensuring that we make wise decisions and act in a way that is in line with our values and goals.
The Bible offers invaluable wisdom on the importance of self-control. Without self-control, we are at the mercy of our impulses and emotions, which can lead to destructive behavior and consequences.
Self-control allows us to resist temptation and make choices that align with our values and goals. It requires discipline, perseverance, and a willingness to delay gratification for long-term gains. By practicing self-control, we can avoid making impulsive decisions that we may later regret and instead make choices that contribute to our overall well-being and success.
Let’s take a look at some self-control verses in the bible to help you understand the importance of self-control and how you can be self-disciplined.
Short prayer for self control
Merciful Lord,
Thank you for the blessings and mercies you have bestowed upon me. Today, I come to you with a flaw in my character. I’m having trouble keeping my cool and controlling myself sometimes. So, please give me the strength to be self-disciplined and the will to avoid everything that contradicts your word. Assist me in living a righteous life that pleases you.
Assist me in speaking and acting in ways that bring glory to your name.
Assist me in avoiding persons and locations that will encourage me to continue with this bad behavior. Give me control over anything that compromises our relationship, and assist me in doing things that will bring us closer together.
I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Self-control verses
2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
This verse highlights the fact that self-control is a gift from God and is something that we should strive to cultivate in our lives. By exercising self-control, we can resist temptations, overcome challenges, and make wise decisions that align with God’s will for our lives.
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.
This verse reminds us that we have the strength and ability to resist temptation and that God will always provide a way of escape. By relying on God’s strength and guidance, we can overcome any temptation that comes our way.
Proverbs 13:3
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 emphasizes the importance of guarding our words and actions. By exercising self-control over our speech, we can avoid unnecessary conflict and preserve relationships. Our words hold power and can either build up or tear down those around us. By being mindful of what we say and choosing our words with care, we can protect ourselves and others from unnecessary harm.
Job 31:1
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.
Job 31:1 provides a powerful example of self-control in action. By making a covenant with his eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman, Job demonstrates his commitment to honoring God and living a life of integrity. This verse serves as a reminder to be vigilant and intentional in our actions, guarding our hearts and minds against temptation and sin.
Galatians 5:22-23
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.
This verse tells us that tells us that self-control is one of the fruits of the Spirit. When we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, we are able to exhibit love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are not only pleasing to God but also beneficial for our own well-being and relationships with others.
2 Peter 1:5-7
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.
In this verse, we are encouraged to make every effort to add to our faith virtues such as goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, and godliness. Self-control is not something that comes naturally to us; it requires effort and conscious decision-making. By cultivating self-control, we are able to resist temptation, endure hardships, and grow in our relationship with God.
Proverbs 4:27
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Proverbs 4:27 warns us to avoid evil and stay on the right path. This verse reminds us that self-control is essential in steering clear of sinful behavior and staying grounded in our faith. When we lack self-control, we are vulnerable to making poor choices that can lead us astray from God’s will for our lives.
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Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
This verse compares a person without self-control to a city with broken walls. Just as a city without defenses is vulnerable to attack, a person without self-control is susceptible to the temptations and distractions of the world. It is important for us to fortify our hearts and minds with self-control so that we can withstand the pressures and influences that seek to lead us astray.
Romans 12:1-2
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.
This verse reminds us that self-control is part of offering ourselves up to God as a living sacrifice. By not conforming to the patterns of this world and allowing our minds to be transformed by God, we can better understand and do His will. Self-control is key in this process, as it helps us resist the temptations and pressures of the world that may lead us astray from God’s plan for us.
Proverbs 16:32
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city
Proverbs 16:32 compares a patient person to a warrior, emphasizing the importance and value of self-control. It is better to have self-control and be patient than to be impulsive and rash in our actions. Self-control allows us to think before we act, making wise choices that align with God’s will for us.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
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.
In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, we are warned of the dangers of living in a world filled with people who lack self-control. In these last days, it is easy to fall into the traps of being lovers of ourselves, boastful, proud, and disobedient to God. Without self-control, we may find ourselves succumbing to the pleasures of this world rather than focusing on our love for God. By practicing self-control, we can avoid these pitfalls and live a life that honors and glorifies God.
James 1:19-21
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. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
This verse emphasizes the importance of listening and understanding before reacting. When we are quick to listen, we show respect and consideration for others. By being slow to speak, we can avoid saying things we may regret later. And by being slow to become angry, we can keep our emotions in check and respond with patience and wisdom.
The verse also tells us to get rid of all moral filth and evil and to humbly accept the word planted in us. This verse encourages us to let go of negativity and embrace the teachings of God. By doing so, we can learn and grow in righteousness.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 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.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, we are reminded that in a race, all runners compete but only one receives the prize. This verse challenges us to run our race in life in a way that honors God and leads to eternal rewards. Just as athletes go into strict training to win a temporary crown, we should live our lives in a way that reflects our faith and leads to a crown that will last forever.
Proverbs 12:16
Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.
Proverbs 12:16 encourages us to be wise and overlook insults. Rather than reacting in anger to every offense we face, we should choose to respond with grace and forgiveness. By doing so, we can cultivate healthy relationships and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Titus 1:8
Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
In Titus 1:8, we are reminded to be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. These qualities are essential for living a life that is pleasing to God. When we are self-controlled, we are able to resist temptations and make wise choices that align with God’s will for our lives. By practicing self-control, we show our commitment to following God’s commands and living a life that reflects His love and grace.
Romans 12:1
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.
Romans 12:1 encourages us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This verse reminds us that self-control is not just about resisting sinful behaviors, but also about dedicating ourselves to God’s service. When we exercise self-control in our actions, thoughts, and words, we are offering ourselves as instruments of God’s peace and love in the world.
1 Timothy 3:2-3
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.
In 1 Timothy 3:2-3, we are reminded that leaders in the church must be self-controlled. This requirement applies not only to those in positions of authority but to all believers. By practicing self-control, we set an example for others to follow and demonstrate our commitment to living a life that is in line with God’s word.
Titus 2:11-12
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,
By living self-controlled and upright lives, we can honor God and reflect his character to those around us. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that self-control is not just about resisting temptation, but also about living in a way that aligns with God’s will for our lives.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love.
This verse highlights the importance of using our freedom in a way that is pleasing to God, rather than giving in to our own selfish desires.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
This verse reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should strive to keep them pure and free from sin. By exercising self-control in the area of sexual temptation, we can honor God and protect the sanctity of our bodies.
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
This verse reminds us that by relying on the Spirit, we can overcome temptation and live in a way that brings glory to God.
Self control bible reading plan
To help you delve deeper into what the Bible says about self-control, we have put together a 21-day reading plan focused on this topic. Each day, you will read a passage of Scripture that speaks to the theme of self-control and reflect on how you can apply it in your life. After each reading, ask yourself questions such as:
- What does the scripture tell you about self-control?
- How do you understand the scripture?
- How can you apply this scripture in your life?
By engaging with God’s word in this intentional way, you will gain a deeper understanding of what the Bible teaches about self-control and how you can cultivate this important virtue in your own life. As you meditate on these passages and seek to apply them to your daily life, may you grow in wisdom, maturity, and spiritual strength.
So grab your Bible, set aside some time each day to read and reflect on these passages, and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the words of Scripture. May this 21-day reading plan on self-control be a valuable resource in your spiritual journey, guiding you in living a life that is pleasing to God and honoring to Him.
