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What Does the Bible Say About Self Control?

The Bible treats self control as part of wisdom and spiritual maturity. It warns that unchecked desires can slowly rule a person's choices, habits, and direction.

What the Bible says

  1. Scripture
    He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
    Proverbs 25:28

    Without self control, a person becomes vulnerable to impulses and destructive patterns.

  2. Scripture
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.
    Galatians 5:22-23

    Self control, or temperance, is described as fruit of the Spirit.

  3. Scripture
    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
    2 Timothy 1:7

    A sound mind includes steadiness, restraint, and spiritual clarity.

A grounded way to understand this

Biblical self control is not cold perfectionism. It is learning to guide desires wisely instead of being ruled by them.

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