Self-control feels impossible when you’re constantly failing at it. You know what you should do, what’s good for you, what aligns with your values, but you do the opposite anyway. You overeat when you promised to stop, scroll social media for hours when you meant to work, lose your temper when you committed to staying calm, or give in to temptations you swore you’d resist this time. The pattern of good intentions followed by predictable failure creates shame that makes the next attempt even harder.
What makes self-control particularly frustrating is that it affects every area of life. Lack of discipline with food impacts your health. Lack of control over spending creates financial problems. Lack of restraint in anger damages relationships. Lack of boundaries with entertainment wastes time you’ll never get back. You’re watching yourself make choices you know are destructive while feeling powerless to stop. Meanwhile, the culture celebrates instant gratification and mocks self-denial as outdated moralism, making discipline feel like swimming against an overwhelming current.
These verses speak to self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, a mark of maturity, and a discipline that protects you from consequences that could destroy your life.
Bible Verses About Self-Control
1. Galatians 5:22-23 – But the Fruit of the Spirit
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
New King James Version (NKJV)
2. Proverbs 25:28 – Whoever Has No Rule Over His Own Spirit
Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
New King James Version (NKJV)
3. 1 Corinthians 9:25 – Everyone Who Competes
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.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4. Titus 2:11-12 – For the Grace of God
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
New International Version (NIV)
5. 2 Peter 1:5-6 – For This Very Reason
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness.
New International Version (NIV)
6. Proverbs 16:32 – He Who Is Slow to Anger
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
New King James Version (NKJV)
7. 1 Corinthians 6:12 – All Things Are Lawful for Me
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.
New Living Translation (NLT)
8. 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God Has Not Given Us
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
New International Version (NIV)
9. Proverbs 23:2 – And Put a Knife to Your Throat
And put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.
New King James Version (NKJV)
10. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 – So Then, Let Us Not Sleep
So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
New Living Translation (NLT)
11. 1 Peter 5:8 – Be Alert and of Sober Mind
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
New International Version (NIV)
12. Proverbs 21:23 – Whoever Guards His Mouth
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
New King James Version (NKJV)
13. Proverbs 29:11 – Fools Vent Their Anger
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.
New Living Translation (NLT)
14. 1 Corinthians 9:27 – No, I Strike a Blow
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
New International Version (NIV)
15. Proverbs 13:3 – He Who Guards His Mouth
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
New King James Version (NKJV)
16. Titus 1:8 – Rather, He Must Be Hospitable
Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.
New Living Translation (NLT)
17. Proverbs 14:29 – Whoever Is Patient
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
New International Version (NIV)
18. 1 Peter 4:7 – But the End of All Things
But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
New King James Version (NKJV)
19. Ephesians 5:18 – Don’t Be Drunk with Wine
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.
New Living Translation (NLT)
20. James 1:19 – My Dear Brothers and Sisters
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
New International Version (NIV)
21. Proverbs 15:1 – A Soft Answer
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
New King James Version (NKJV)
22. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 – It Is God’s Will
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.
New Living Translation (NLT)
23. Proverbs 19:11 – A Person’s Wisdom Yields Patience
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
New International Version (NIV)
24. 2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee Also Youthful Lusts
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
New King James Version (NKJV)
25. Acts 24:25 – As Paul Talked About
As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened.
New Living Translation (NLT)
26. Proverbs 10:19 – Sin Is Not Ended by Multiplying Words
Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
New International Version (NIV)
27. Ecclesiastes 7:9 – Do Not Hasten in Your Spirit
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
New King James Version (NKJV)
28. 1 Peter 1:13 – So Prepare Your Minds
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.
New Living Translation (NLT)
29. Proverbs 17:27 – The One Who Has Knowledge
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
New International Version (NIV)
30. 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No Temptation Has Overtaken You
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.
New King James Version (NKJV)
31. Proverbs 4:23 – Guard Your Heart Above All
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
New Living Translation (NLT)
32. Romans 6:12 – Therefore Do Not Let Sin Reign
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
New International Version (NIV)
33. Proverbs 12:16 – A Fool’s Wrath
A fool’s wrath is known at once, but a prudent man covers shame.
New King James Version (NKJV)
34. Hebrews 12:1 – Therefore, Since We Are Surrounded
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
New Living Translation (NLT)
35. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Have Nothing to Do with Godless Myths
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
New International Version (NIV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Self-Control
Self-control in Scripture is consistently presented as essential for spiritual maturity and godly living. It’s listed as a fruit of the Spirit, which means it’s not something you generate through willpower alone but something produced by the Holy Spirit working in you. The Spirit God gave you doesn’t make you timid but gives you power, love, and self-discipline. This shifts self-control from being about your strength to being about cooperating with God’s power operating in you.
The consistent warning is that a lack of self-control makes you vulnerable and weak. A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls, defenseless against attack. Self-control protects you from consequences that could destroy your life: broken relationships from uncontrolled anger, ruined health from lack of discipline with food, financial disaster from uncontrolled spending, and spiritual disaster from uncontrolled lusts. The person who rules their spirit is better than one who conquers a city because self-mastery is that valuable and that difficult.
What’s significant is that self-control involves both fleeing temptation and training in godliness. You’re called to flee youthful lusts, to make no provision for the flesh, to strip off every weight that slows you down. But you’re also called to train yourself to be godly, recognizing that discipline is like athletic training that develops strength over time rather than instant transformation.
Say This Prayer
Father, I desperately need self-control in areas where I keep failing. I make commitments I don’t keep, set boundaries I repeatedly cross, and promise to change but fall back into the same destructive patterns. I can’t generate discipline through willpower alone. I need Your Spirit to produce self-control in me that I cannot manufacture myself.
Help me to understand that self-control isn’t just about trying harder but about cooperating with Your power working in me. Give me the Holy Spirit’s fruit of self-discipline in areas where I’m completely undisciplined. Show me where I need to flee temptation rather than trying to resist it in my own strength. Help me to make no provision for the flesh and to strip off every weight that’s slowing me down.
Protect me from the consequences that lack of self-control produces. Make me like a city with strong walls, defended against attacks that exploit my weakness. Help me to rule my spirit, to guard my mouth, to control my appetites, and to live with the discipline that honors You and protects me. Train me in godliness and give me perseverance to maintain self-control over the long haul.
In Jesus’ powerful Name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.