Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5934 restraint

5934 restraint

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5934 restraint

The holding back of actions, emotions or forces, whether one's own or another's. God holds back the power and extent of evil in the world and restrains his anger. Believers are to show similar self-control in life, especially in speech.

Restraint as the holding back of actions

The example of Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:52-53

Other examples

See also Exodus 36:6 God restrains the Israelites; 1 Samuel 3:13 Eli's failure to restrain his sons

David spared Saul's life:

1 Samuel 24:1-22; Samuel 26:1-25 1 Kings 1:6 David's failure to restrain Adonijah; Esther 5:10 Haman's self-restraint; Jeremiah 14:10 Judah's lack of restraint; 2 Peter 2:16 Balaam's donkey

Restraint as the holding back of emotions

Jesus Christ's silence under suffering

1 Peter 2:21-23 See also Matthew 26:62-63 pp Mark 14:60-61; Matthew 27:12-14 pp Mark 15:4-5

Restraint as the holding back of forces

God and the Red Sea

Exodus 14:21 See also Exodus 15:8; Psalm 78:13

Jesus Christ and the wind and the waves

Matthew 8:23-27 pp Mark 4:36-41 pp Luke 8:22-25

God restrains the power of evil

In the world

Mark 13:20 pp Matthew 24:22 See also 2 Kings 19:28; Psalm 76:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7; Revelation 20:2

From the righteous

God restrains his anger

Psalm 78:38 See also Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 74:11; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; Isaiah 48:9; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; 2 Peter 3:9

Believers are to show restraint

In their speech

Psalm 141:3; James 1:26 See also Psalm 39:1; Proverbs 13:3; Proverbs 21:23; James 3:2-12; 1 Peter 3:10; Psalm 34:13

In their actions

Psalm 32:9 See also Romans 6:12