I have always struggled with self-control and discipline. It’s one of the hardest things I have tried to learn as a man, as a husband and as a follower of Christ.
I’m sure you can relate.
I believe as husband we should constantly be striving towards self-control and discipline. Because these are foundations of integrity. It is how we become the people Christ has called us to be. It is also how we become husbands that are worthy of being respected and I want to be a respectable husband.
One thing we need to understand about self-control is that it is not as much about saying no to certain fleshly desires, lusts and cravings but more about living an abundant life free from addiction regret and shame.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” – John 10:10
Christ desires us to have an abundant and fulfilled life and learning self-control and self-discipline is the greatest way to achieve this. Christ desires that we would, by the power of the Holy Spirit, master our own spirits and flesh.
“Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.” – Proverbs 25:28
Here are 27 bible verses about self-control and self-discipline to help us men.
- 2 Peter 1:3-8
“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 9:27
“but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” - Romans 6:12-13
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” - Romans 8:13
“for if you are living according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” - Ephesians 4:22
“that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,” - 1 Timothy 4:7
“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” - Romans 13:14
“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” - Ephesians 4:23-24
“and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” - Philippians 3:12-14
“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Colossians 3:12
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” - 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” - Hebrews 5:14
“But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” - Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” - Psalms 119:9-11
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”The bible is the most essential tool God uses to change us. Use it. - Deuteronomy 29:29
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.” - Titus 2:11-12
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age…” - 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“…For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…”I Struggle with my my thoughts, so when I read this I am reminded that I have the power to take those thoughts captive. - Romans 12:3
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” - Romans 12:2
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”God wants YOU to be able to know what His will is. But we have to have our minds be renewed for this to happen. - 1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”Pray often and always. - Psalms 141:3
“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.” - James 3:2-12
“For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.”Your tongue is a powerful tool. Or weapon. - Colossians 3:5
“Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” - 1 Corinthians 9:25
“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” - 1 Timothy 4:8
“for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
It has been scriptures such as these as well as the Holy Spirit’s strength that has allowed me to break free of some the hardest struggles and addiction in my life.
Constantly going back to the word of God to understand His purpose for my life and the freedom He wants for me is essential to my growth in the area of self-control and self-discipline.
