Bible verses about self-control

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Self-control in Scripture is fruit of the Spirit, not a muscle you strain. Walk in the Spirit, and the promise is that you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh — the order matters.

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Grace is the teacher here. It does not only forgive the appetite; it trains you to say no to it and to live soberly.

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Fleshly lusts war against the soul. Naming it a war explains why willpower alone keeps losing: you are not fighting a habit, you are fighting a campaign.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Make no provision for the flesh. Most failures are decided earlier than they feel — in what was left within reach.

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Keep your heart with all diligence, because everything else flows out of it. Guarding the inputs is not legalism; it is maintenance.

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Job made a covenant with his eyes — a decision made in advance, in daylight, not in the moment.

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Jesus moves the line back from the act to the look. That sounds heavier until you see it as mercy: it lets you fight where the fight is still winnable.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A list of what to think on. Self-control is not only refusing input; it is choosing a replacement.

Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

Do not lust after her beauty in your heart. The warning is about the wanting, before anything has happened.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Transformed by the renewing of your mind. Renewing is ongoing work, which is why a plan beats a resolution.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Thoughts can be taken captive. You are not obliged to follow every image that arrives.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

A young man cleanses his way by taking heed according to God’s word. The method is named: heed it.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Hidden in the heart, so it is there before you need it. Scripture you have to go and look up is not yet armour.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

There is always a way of escape. Self-control often means nothing more than taking the exit that is already there.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Watch and pray. Jesus said it to men who meant it and fell asleep anyway — willingness was never the missing part.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submit, then resist. Resisting without submitting is willpower with a Bible verse attached to it.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

Be sober, be vigilant. The hunt is for the tired, the isolated and the unguarded, which tells you exactly when to be careful.

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee youthful lusts — and follow after righteousness with others who call on the Lord. Fleeing alone is half the instruction.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Through Christ, who strengthens. Paul wrote it about enduring every circumstance, and this is one of them.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Greater is he that is in you. The contest is not even.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Create in me a clean heart. David asked for a new heart rather than better behaviour, which is the more honest prayer.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

No condemnation. Shame is a poor engine for self-control — it burns hot and runs out, and it was never the fuel on offer.