What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control?
What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control? Self-control (temperance) is a fruit of the Spirit and a discipline essential for godly living, resisting temptation, and honoring God with our bodies.
Key verse: Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)
Self-control (temperance) is a fruit of the Spirit and a discipline essential for godly living, resisting temptation, and honoring God with our bodies.
Self-control (temperance) is a fruit of the Spirit and a discipline essential for godly living, resisting temptation, and honoring God with our bodies.
"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." — Proverbs 25:28 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Self-control, called 'temperance' in the KJV, is the final fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Proverbs 25:28 compares a person lacking self-control to 'a city that is broken down, and without walls'—vulnerable to every attack. Paul described his own practice of self-discipline: 'I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection' (1 Corinthians 9:27). Peter includes self-control in his ladder of Christian virtues (2 Peter 1:5-7), showing that it builds upon knowledge and leads to patience, godliness, and love. Self-control is not about human willpower alone but is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control?
Biblical teaching on self-discipline, resisting temptation, and mastering your desires.
Key Scripture References
"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
"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."
"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the Spirit is the character produced in believers by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
The Bible doesn't condemn money itself but warns against the love of money and teaches generosity, contentment, and wise stewardship.
What Is Tithing?
Tithing is the practice of giving a tenth (10%) of one's income to God, rooted in Old Testament law and reflected in New Testament generosity.
Deep Dive Commentary
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Proverbs. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Proverbs on day 159 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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