14 Bible Verses About Self Control

Bible verses about self control are helpful. What does the Bible say about self-control? According to the Bible self-control is important. When I want to practice self-control, I open my Bible and search for verses. And so I created a collection of self-control Bible verses.

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Bible Verses About Self Control

What does the Bible say about self-control? Here you will find Bible verses on this topic. Remember these when you feel a lack of control. Write them down where you can see them. As always, be sure to look at the surrounding verses to see how self-control in the Bible is used in the historical time period.

Let’s start with a verse that caught my eye. This Bible verse on self-control teaches me the two boundaries/bookends for self-control are knowledge and perseverance:

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. (2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV)

In the original Greek language, the KJV word for this verse is temperance (G1466) meaning the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites.

Here is another verse that caught my attention today.

As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (Acts 24:25 NIV)

When I read this verse I laughed! Because it shows me how we choose self-control when its “convenient.” That might explain the trouble I have with dieting. You see, it is convenient for me to grab processed food from the cupboard after a long day at work. Cooking a healthy meal takes time and preparation. I have written this verse down so I can remind myself “don’t be Felix!”

This verse in original Greek is also temperance (G2540) with a different application. It means  an occasion, i.e. set or proper time. 

More Bible Verses About Self Control

He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his great foolishness. (Proverbs 5:23 NLT)

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. (Proverbs 16:32 NLT)

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls. (Proverbs 25:28 NLT)

As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (Acts 24:25 NIV)

As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. (Acts 24:25-26 NLT)

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 NIV)

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:8-9 NKJV)

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT)

So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. (1 Timothy 3:2 NLT)

In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do. (1 Timothy 3:11 NLT)

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 3:2-5 NIV)

Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. (Titus 2:2 NLT)

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity… (Titus 2:6-7 NIV)

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. (2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV)
 
Bible Copyrights For This Article
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.