25 Bible Verses about Self-Control You Should Know!

The Bible is a rich source of wisdom, offering us valuable insights on practicing self-control in our lives. These 25 verses emphasize the significance of self-discipline in various aspects of life. I pray that these verses will inspire and empower us to be self-controlled, leading to a life that honors God and brings about positive change.

Let us remember that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome challenges and live with purpose and integrity, guided by the principles of self-control laid out in Scripture… Let’s dive in!

Self-Control Verses

Proverbs 25:28 – “A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.”

Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

1 Corinthians 9:25 – “All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.”

Proverbs 16:32 – “Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”

Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Proverbs 29:11 – “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.”

1 Peter 1:13 – “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”

Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.”

1 Corinthians 6:12 – “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. And even though ‘I am allowed to do anything,’ I must not become a slave to anything.”

Galatians 5:16 – “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Proverbs 25:16 – “Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!”

2 Peter 1:5-6 – “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness.”

Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.”

Romans 13:14 – “But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

Proverbs 14:29 – “People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – “God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor—not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.”

James 1:19-20 – “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”

1 Corinthians 7:5 – “Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

Proverbs 10:19 – “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

Colossians 3:5 – “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”

Proverbs 21:23 – “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

1 Peter 4:7 – “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.”

Galatians 5:24 – “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”

Short Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you seeking your guidance and strength to practice self-control in all areas of our lives. Please help us to be led by the Holy Spirit so that we can exercise self-discipline in our daily lives and honor you in our thoughts, words, and actions. Please give us the wisdom to overcome temptations and the patience to endure trials. May our lives be a reflection of your love and grace. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.