What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control — In Biblical Context
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)
The Biblical Context
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.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Proverbs 25:28, sits inside Proverbs 25. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."
Supporting Passages
"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."
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