Fruit of the Spirit · Galatians 5:22–23
Self-control in the Bible: the fruit of the Spirit
Short answer: Self-control (Greek enkrateia, KJV “temperance”) is the last of the nine fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23. It means mastering your words, anger, thoughts and appetites with the Spirit’s help. Proverbs 25:28 compares a person without it to a city whose walls are broken down.
The infographic in text form
The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)
- Love: agapē
- Joy: chara
- Peace: eirēnē
- Patience: makrothumia · KJV longsuffering
- Kindness: chrēstotēs · KJV gentleness
- Goodness: agathōsunē
- Faithfulness: pistis · KJV faith
- Gentleness: praotēs · KJV meekness
- Self-control: enkrateia · KJV temperance
What Scripture says
- A city without walls: “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28
- Stronger than a conqueror: “He that ruleth his spirit [is better] than he that taketh a city.” Proverbs 16:32
- Like an athlete: “Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.” 1 Corinthians 9:25
- Taught by grace: “We should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:11–12
- God’s gift: “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
- A way out: God “will with the temptation also make a way to escape.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
Where it shows
| Words | James 3:2; Proverbs 21:23 |
| Anger | James 1:19–20; Proverbs 29:11 |
| Thoughts | 2 Corinthians 10:5; Philippians 4:8 |
| Appetites | Proverbs 23:20–21; 1 Corinthians 6:12 |
| Desires | 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 |
| Growth | Add to knowledge temperance (2 Peter 1:5–6) |
Examples to learn from
| Who | What happened | Verse |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph | Refused Potiphar’s wife: “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” | Genesis 39:9 |
| David | Spared Saul’s life in the cave at En-gedi | 1 Samuel 24:6 |
| Daniel | Would not defile himself with the king’s food | Daniel 1:8 |
| Jesus | Answered every temptation in the wilderness with Scripture | Matthew 4:1–11 |
| Esau (a warning) | Sold his birthright for one meal | Genesis 25:34; Hebrews 12:16 |
Read the passages
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