Self-control is the last of the nine fruits of the Spirit – and perhaps the one you need most in everyday life: when eating, speaking, using your phone, or dealing with anger. Here you will find 19 Bible verses about self-control and discipline.
Master of oneself
Verses about the strength of self-control.
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A patient man is better than a strong man, and he who is master of his spirit conquers cities.
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A man who cannot control his spirit is like an open city without walls.
Proverbs 25:28
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23aBearing fruitAnger
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For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7FearConfirmation verses
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For the saving grace of God has appeared to all people, training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live godly, righteous, and godly in this world.
Titus 2:11-12
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Therefore, let all your diligence be devoted to this, and equip yourselves with virtue, and with virtue knowledge, and with knowledge self-control, and with self-control patience, and with patience godliness.
2 Peter 1:5-6
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But everyone who fights, must abstain from all things; so that they may receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.
1 Corinthians 9:25Reward
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But I discipline my body and subdue it, so that I do not preach to others, and myself become unworthy.
1 Corinthians 9:27
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Be sober and vigilant; for your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8Spiritual battleDevil
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So let us not sleep as others do, but let us wake and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
Self-control in everyday life
Specific areas where discipline helps.
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A fool pours out his spirit completely; but a wise man keeps himself.
Proverbs 29:11Anger
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When you sit down to eat with a man, pay attention to whom you have before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are greedy.
Proverbs 23:1-2
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He who guards his mouth and tongue guards his soul from fear.
Proverbs 21:23Clapping
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Therefore, my dear brothers, be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
James 1:19RelationshipsHearing
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I have all power; but not all things are profitable. I have all power; but let nothing take me captive.
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I have all power; but not all things are profitable. I have all power; but not all things are good.
1 Corinthians 10:23Freedom
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But clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:14aTemptationClothing
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But every chastening, when it takes place, seems not to be joy, but rather sorrow; but afterward it will yield a peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are thereby trained.
Hebrews 12:11Bearing fruitRefining
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If you find honey, eat as much as you want, so that you do not become too full and vomit it out.
Proverbs 25:16
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related topics
This goes well with it
Self-Control – self-control – is the ninth fruit of the Spirit. The poster reminds us that discipline can grow.
Fruit of the Spirit Poster - Self-ControlPoster about chastity and self-control as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23).€12
Strong in Grace - LeggingsLeggings from the Strong in Grace collection, made in Portugal.€65
Strong in Grace - Active ShirtActive Shirt: strong through grace – for training and for everything after.€38
Juice Pack - Boxy T-ShirtBoxy shirt about the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22.€38
Self-control as a fruit of the Spirit
In Galatians 5:23, Luther translates it as "chastity" – the Greek word egkrateia is meant, literally "mastery over oneself". It describes the ability not to be driven by impulses, desires, or feelings. Remarkably: Paul calls it a fruit of the Spirit, not an achievement of the will. Self-control therefore grows from the connection with God. At the same time, he speaks of one's own training: "I discipline my body and subdue it" (1 Corinthians 9:27) – like an athlete preparing for a competition.
Strength you cannot see
"A patient man is better than a strong man, and he who is master of his spirit conquers cities" (Proverbs 16:32). Self-control is an invisible form of strength. Without it, a person is "like an open city without walls" (Proverbs 25:28) – defenseless against everything that flows in. Paul summarizes it like this: "I have all power; but let nothing take me captive" (1 Corinthians 6:12). More about this at Bible verses about temptation, Bible verses about addiction and Bible verses about anger and wrath.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is self-control a fruit of the Spirit?
Yes. Paul calls it the ninth fruit in Galatians 5:23; Luther translates the Greek word egkrateia as "chastity".
Which Bible verse helps with self-discipline?
Proverbs 16:32, 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, 2 Timothy 1:7 and 1 Corinthians 6:12 are particularly helpful.
