Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8339 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

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 2:2,5-6; 2 Peter 1:5-9

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

A mental discipline

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

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

Self-control in response to persecution

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

Examples of self-control

Genesis 39:7-12 Joseph

David:

1 Samuel 24:1-7; Samuel 26:7-12; 2 Samuel 16:9-10

Job:

Job 31:1,30

Jesus Christ:

Isaiah 53:7 the servant, understood in the NT as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ; Mark 14:61; Matthew 27:27-30

Paul:

1 Corinthians 4:12-13; 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; Colossians 2:23

False teaching was leading to the throwing off of restraints in the name of the gospel:

2 Peter 2:12-14,18-19; Jude 4

See also

3254  Holy Spirit, fruit of
5267  control
5925  rashness
5934  restraint
6106  addiction
6187  immorality
8230  discipline
8305  meekness
8318  patience
8459  perseverance
8475  self-denial
8777  lust