How easy is it to lose self-control? Managing our own impulses, emotions, and actions is very tough. But thankfully enough, the Bible says that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Which means, it’s a fruit that we are able to and can grow within time as children or God. Just like any fruit takes time to grow, self-control takes time to grow in us. Below I am sharing 20 key bible verses about self-control.

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Examples Of Self-Control In The Bible
1. Jesus
When the devil tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus did not turn the stones into bread, even though he was hungry and had been fasting for days.
Matthew 4:3-4 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ (NKJV)
2. Joseph
Even though Potiphar’s wife continuously tried seducing Joseph, he resisted the temptation and chose to flee instead of sleeping with her.
Genesis 39:7-9 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (NKJV)
3. Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-nego
Despite the decree of the King, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Negó stayed true to their beliefs and did not worship the gold image like everyone else.
Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver usfrom your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (NKJV)
Examples of Loss Of Self-Control In The Bible
1. Moses
Instead of speaking to the rock like God had ordered Moses, Moses fell into pressure and struck the rock. As a result, he wasn’t allowed to entered the promised land.
Numbers 20:10-12 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” (NKJV)
2. Cain
Although God had previously warned Abel, in the heat of the moment, Cain did not control his rage and ended up killed his brother Abel.
Genesis 4:6-8 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. (NKJV)
3. Eve
Eve failed to control her impulses and was lured into eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. Not only did she disobey but she influenced her husband to eat of the forbidden tree as well.
Genesis 3:4-6 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (NKJV)
20 Key Bible Verses About Self-Control
1. 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)
2. Proverbs 25:28
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls. (NKJV)
3. Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (NKJV)
4. 1 Corinthians 9:27
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (NKJV)
5. 1 Corinthians 9:25
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (NKJV)
6. 1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (NKJV)
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil. (NKJV)
8. 2 John 1:8
Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. (NKJV)
9. Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (NKJV)
10. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. (NKJV)
11. Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
12. 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (NKJV)
13. Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. (NKJV)
14. Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (NKJV)
15. 1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. (NKJV)
16. Proverbs 29:11
A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise manholds them back. (NKJV)
17. James 1:19
So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. (NKJV)
18. Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)
19. 2 Peter 1:5-7
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (NKJV)
20. Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)
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FINAL THOUGHTS
I hope you enjoyed learning about those who did and didn’t have self-control in the Bible and reading these 20 key bible verses about self-control. Let me know what bible verse about self-control stood out to you the most.
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Sending you blessings & love,
Gabby Abigail
Hi ☺️
All yours posts are uplifting ones
Thank you
God bless 🙏
Thanks so much for your kind words and for reading! God bless ☺️