Self-control is the strength to choose what is right over what is easy. It guides you to act with wisdom, not impulse. Through self-control, you align your actions with your values. This discipline shapes your character and deepens your faith.
Below is the full list of bible verses on self-control (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Self-Control
Proverbs 25:28
“28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.”
Related Themes: Self Discipline Discipline Emotions Anger
1 Corinthians 10:13
“13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Related Themes: Lust Addiction Strength Temptation
Galatians 5:22-23
“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Arguing Criticism Strangers
2 Timothy 1:7
“7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Related Themes: Fear Self Confidence Business Bullying
2 Peter 1:5-7
“5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
Related Themes: Frustration Dating Perseverance Morality
Proverbs 16:32
“32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
Related Themes: Patience Bitterness Frustration Anger
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Related Themes: Self Discipline Quitting Determination Perseverance
1 Corinthians 9:27
“27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
Related Themes: Lust Discipline Self Discipline Indulgence
1 Peter 4:7
“7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
Related Themes: Rest Indulgence Drugs Holiness
Titus 1:8
“8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;”
Related Themes: Strangers Hospitality Discipline Indulgence
Titus 2:11-14
“11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
1 Peter 5:8
“8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
1 Corinthians 9:25
“25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
Related Themes: Self Discipline Indulgence Moderation Concentration
Romans 12:1-2
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Titus 2:12
“12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
Related Themes: Lust Reverence Self Discipline Purity
Romans 12:2
“2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust Creativity Attitude Business
Galatians 5:23
“23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
Related Themes: Indulgence Temperance Self Discipline Lust
1 Corinthians 7:5
“5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”
Related Themes: Fasting Satan Marriage Self Destruction
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;”
1 Corinthians 7:9
“9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”
Related Themes: Lust Indulgence Marriage Self Destruction
James 1:19
“19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
Related Themes: Criticism Bitterness Frustration Patience Frustration
Proverbs 29:11
“11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
Related Themes: Criticism Arguing Frustration Letting Go Emotions
Philippians 4:13
“13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Related Themes: Strength Omnipotence Self Confidence Life Greatness
Ephesians 6:12
“12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Related Themes: Satan Evil Strongholds Flesh
Titus 2:2
“2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”
Philippians 4:8
“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Related Themes: Lust Gossip Attitude Complaining
Titus 2:11-12
“11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
“24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
Related Themes: Self Discipline Quitting Determination Perseverance
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Galatians 5:21
“21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Morality Morals Adultery Substance Abuse
