Self-control

Physical and emotional self-mastery, particularly in situations of intense provocation or temptation.

Self-control is the mark of a wise person

Proverbs 29:11 See also Proverbs 1:1–5

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

Self-control is an aspect of Christian character

Galatians 5:22–23; Titus 2:11–12 See also 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8, Titus 2:2, Titus 2:5–6; 2 Peter 1:5–9

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

Self-control affects the whole person

Physical self-control

1 Corinthians 9:26–27 See also 1 Corinthians 7:36–38; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–7

Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

A mental discipline

1 Peter 1:13 See also 1 Thessalonians 5:6–8; 1 Peter 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8

Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Controlled speech

Psalm 141:3; James 1:19 See also Psalm 17:3; Proverbs 16:23, Proverbs 21:23; Ecclesiastes 5:2; James 3:1–12

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Self-control in response to persecution

Matthew 5:39–40 parallel Luke 6:27–29 See also 1 Peter 2:18–23

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;

Examples of self-control

Genesis 39:7–12 Joseph; 1 Samuel 24:1–7, 1 Samuel 26:7–12; 2 Samuel 16:9–10; Job 31:1, Job 31:30; Isaiah 53:7 the servant, understood in the NT as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ; Mark 14:61; Matthew 27:27–30; 1 Corinthians 4:12–13, 1 Corinthians 9:24–27

The dangers of a loss of self-control

Proverbs 18:7; Jeremiah 14:10 See also 1 Samuel 18:10–11 Saul; 2 Samuel 13:7–14 Amnon; Psalm 106:32–33 Moses; Proverbs 6:1–3, Proverbs 29:18; Acts 24:25; Romans 1:24–31; 1 Corinthians 7:5 aimed at those who thought that abstaining from sexual relations in marriage was spiritual; 1 Corinthians 7:9; COL 2:232PE Colossians 2:12–14, 2 Peter 2:18–19; Jude 1:4

A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

This is what the LORD says about this people: “Truly they love to wander; they have not restrained their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; He will now remember their iniquity and punish them for their sins.”