What Does the Bible Say About Self-Control?

In Genesis 42, Joseph came face-to-face with his brothers, who sold him into slavery at a young age. Even while standing before them, he masterfully controlled his “self”—his emotions—as he sought to love, forgive, and provide for them in their time of need.

Where did his source of “self” come from? He put his trust in God—who would never fail him or leave him. While choosing to act in kindness might have been difficult, he recognized that no matter what, God was ultimately in control.

Self-restraint

How many times have you looked back at something you’ve done or said and wished that you hadn’t? Maybe they were harsh words spoken in a burst of anger, or underlying thoughts that accidentally escaped.

When we’re in a bad mood or under stress, exercising self-discipline can be hard work. Just like our muscles need to be used in order to remain healthy, the muscles of self-control need to be used to build character.

Learning how to control your emotions is not a one-time event. We may think that in our own willpower, we can exercise self-control. However, our strength to change comes from God. It’s a process that we walk through, allowing us to recognize our need for Him and grow closer to Him as we rely on Him day after day.

This doesn’t mean that we don’t try our best, but rather, we realize that our best is rooted in our connection to Christ. Lasting change doesn’t occur overnight. Our impulses, bad habits, and “to-do lists” can pile up and make us easily distracted by the pressures of everyday life. Recognizing when we’re becoming overwhelmed allows us to exchange His strength for our weaknesses.

Ask God

When we have a lack of self-control, it isn’t surprising to God. God knows us better than anyone else—even ourselves. This means He knows all about our pitfalls, how we struggle, and what will help us grow. He has defeated sin and death, and that same power lives in us. That power is ours as we strive to be more Christ-like.

Self-control in the Bible shows up throughout the lives of everyday people doing everyday tasks. It isn’t a fruit of the Spirit only accessible for those who are holy enough, or good enough to exercise it. We can live life trusting and obeying as the Spirit leads.

Using the fruit of self-control means we must give up our control. It doesn’t mean that we try to micromanage and control everything. Instead, it means we can rest in God’s definition of self-control by saying no to our impulsive side and listening for the whisper of God. He is faithful to guide us and will give us wisdom when we run to Him for guidance.

When you’re faced with a challenge or you’re inclined to give in to temptation, ask God for His direction and discernment. He isn’t afraid of our weaknesses—in fact—He works through them! He is our defender against the thoughts that try to keep us trapped in cycles of defeat.

Relying on His power gives Him glory and causes our lights to shine as a witness to others. When we receive our sense of “self” from Christ, exercising self-control becomes more about honoring Him than working in our own might. With God’s help, we can step out of our comfort zones and bad habits and step into a life of self-control, rest, and trust.