“I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.”
— Psalms 39:1
Self-control is the last item on Paul's list of the fruit of the Spirit — and the one most modern readers would put first. Proverbs calls the unguarded self "a city that is broken down, and without walls." The fifteen verses below are the Bible's direct address to that situation, shown in full KJV text from Psalms 39:1 to 2 Peter 1:6.
Quick answer: The best-known verse about self-control here is Psalms 39:1: "I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me." Psalms 141:3 follows close behind: "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." Both are public-domain translations, shown in full on the cards below with a modern-English toggle.
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
Psalms 39:1
Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.
Psalms 141:3
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
Proverbs 10:19
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
The heart of the righteous weighs answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes out evil.
Proverbs 15:28
He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
Proverbs 17:27
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
Proverbs 25:28
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are expedient. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be brought under the power of anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12
And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.
1 Corinthians 9:25
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:23
But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
but given to hospitality, a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled,
Titus 1:8
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age;
Titus 2:12
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
For we all stumble in many things. Anyone who doesn’t stumble in word is a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body also.
James 3:2
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness;
2 Peter 1:6
These verses suit seasons of self-examination and seasons of fresh commitment. They read best one at a time, tested against an honest week, rather than all at once like a resume.
Each verse card switches between the King James Version and the World English Bible — the modern renderings of the character commands ("self-control" for "temperance," "steadfastness" for "patience") often clarify what the trait actually requires. Copy the one you are training in.
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