New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

Verses about self control

Mastering one's impulses, speech, and actions stands out in Scripture as a hallmark of spiritual maturity and inner strength. The Bible compares a person lacking self-restraint to a defenseless city with broken-down walls, vulnerable to every outside temptation or sudden emotion. Rather than letting desires, anger, or short-term cravings dictate behavior, believers are guided to exercise steady discipline across every area of life. Scripture highlights in these verses about self control that true power is not found in dominating others, but in ruling one's own spirit. This discipline is not created through human grit alone. The Bible lists self-control as a fruit of the Holy Spirit, meaning God actively provides the clarity and sound mind needed to make wise choices. By rejecting harmful habits and practicing daily restraint, individuals protect their character, maintain peace, and live purposeful, honorable lives.

It is better to be patient than to fight. It is better to control your temper than to take a city.
Proverbs 16:32

A man who can't control himself is like a city whose walls are broken down.
Proverbs 25:28

A foolish person lets his anger run wild. But a wise person keeps himself under control.
Proverbs 29:11

Daniel decided not to make himself "unclean" by eating the king's food and drinking his wine. So he asked the chief official for a favor. He wanted permission not to make himself "unclean" with the king's food and wine.
Daniel 1:8

Some of you say, "Everything is permitted for me." But not everything is good for me. Again some of you say, "Everything is permitted for me." But I will not be controlled by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12

In a race all the runners run. But only one gets the prize. You know that, don't you? So run in a way that will get you the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24

All who take part in the games train hard. They do it to get a crown that will not last. But we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
1 Corinthians 9:25

So I do not run like someone who doesn't run toward the finish line. I do not fight like a boxer who hits nothing but air.
1 Corinthians 9:26

No, I train my body and bring it under control. Then after I have preached to others, I myself will not break the rules and fail to win the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:27

You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, God will give you a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful
Galatians 5:22

and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind.
Galatians 5:23

God wants you to be made holy. He wants you to stay away from sexual sins.
1 Thessalonians 4:3

He wants all of you to learn to control your own bodies. You must live in a way that is holy. You must live with honor.
1 Thessalonians 4:4

So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves.
1 Thessalonians 5:6

But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put the armor of faith and love on our chest. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet.
1 Thessalonians 5:8

A leader must be free from blame. He must be faithful to his wife. In anything he does, he must not go too far. He must control himself. He must be worthy of respect. He must welcome people into his home. He must be able to teach.
1 Timothy 3:2

In the same way, their wives must be worthy of respect. They must not say things that harm others. In anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of trust in everything.
1 Timothy 3:11

God didn't give us a spirit that makes us weak and fearful. He gave us a spirit that gives us power and love. It helps us control ourselves.
2 Timothy 1:7

Here is what I want you to know. There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 Timothy 3:1

People will love themselves. They will love money. They will brag and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won't be thankful or holy.
2 Timothy 3:2

They won't love others. They won't forgive others. They will tell lies about people. They will be out of control. They will be wild. They will hate what is good.
2 Timothy 3:3

Instead, he must welcome people into his home. He must love what is good. He must control his mind and feelings. He must do what is right. He must be holy. He must control what his body longs for.
Titus 1:8

Tell the older men that in anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of respect. They must control themselves. They must have true faith. They must love others. They must not give up.
Titus 2:2

In the same way, help the young men to control themselves.
Titus 2:6

God's saving grace has appeared to all people.
Titus 2:11

It teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful longings. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today's world.
Titus 2:12

My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry.
James 1:19

All of us get tripped up in many ways. Suppose someone is never wrong in what he says. Then he is a perfect man. He is able to keep his whole body under control.
James 3:2

So prepare your minds for action. Control yourselves. Put your hope completely in the grace that will be given to you when Jesus Christ returns.
1 Peter 1:13

The end of all things is near. So keep a clear mind. Control yourselves. Then you can pray.
1 Peter 4:7

Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.
1 Peter 5:8

So you should try very hard to add goodness to your faith. To goodness, add knowledge.
2 Peter 1:5

To knowledge, add the ability to control yourselves. To the ability to control yourselves, add the strength to keep going. To the strength to keep going, add godliness.
2 Peter 1:6

New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996

Verses about self control

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