Self-control

Self-control is listed among the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23. This page lists verses on self-control, discipline of the body, ruling one's spirit and tongue, and sober-mindedness.

Temperance and a sound mind

• Galatians 5:22-23
  ²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
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• 2 Timothy 1:7
  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
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• 2 Peter 1:5-6
  ⁵And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ⁶And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
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Discipline of the body

• 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
  ²⁵And 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. ²⁶I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: ²⁷But 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.
  Show context · Read 1 Corinthians 9 →
• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
  ¹⁹What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ²⁰For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
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• Romans 6:12
  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
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Ruling one's spirit

• Proverbs 25:28
  He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
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• Proverbs 16:32
  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
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• Proverbs 29:11
  A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 29 →

Control of the tongue

• James 1:19
  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
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• James 3:2
  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
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• Proverbs 21:23
  Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 21 →

Sober-mindedness

• Titus 2:11-12
  ¹¹For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ¹²Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
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• 1 Peter 5:8
  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
  Show context · Read 1 Peter 5 →
• 1 Thessalonians 5:6
  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
  Show context · Read 1 Thessalonians 5 →

See also

• Temptation
• Patience
• Gluttony
• Addiction

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.