The spiritual fruit of SELF-CONTROL

SELF-CONTROL – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Gal. 5:22-23 NIV)

Jesus promises that if you abide (remain) in Him you will produce this kind of spiritual fruit as a direct result. (John 15:4)

Self-control is the ninth of the nine fruits of the spirit listed in this passage. Each one is a promise!

Self-control defined

Self-control: the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.

synonyms: self-discipline, restraint, self-possession, self-command, willpower, composure.

Self-control is often paired with “sober-mindedness” (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Titus 2:2; 1 Peter 4:7), and in several places the language of “self-control” applies especially to the mind. Mark 5:15 and Luke 8:35 characterize the healed demoniac as “clothed and in his right mind.” Paul uses similar language to speak of being in his right mind (2 Corinthians 5:13), as well as not being out of his mind (Acts 26:25). And, Romans 12:3 exhorts every Christian “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,” but to exercise a form of self-control: thinking “with sober judgment.”

Bible verses about self-control

“but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled.” (Titus 1:8 NASB)

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.” (2 Peter 1:5-9 NASB)