What is Self-Control?

The apostle Paul closes his famous list of the Fruit of the Spirit with a virtue that feels increasingly rare in modern life: self-control. In Galatians 5:22–23, Paul writes

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” Galatians 5:22–23,

For self-control, Paul uses the Greek word enkrateia, meaning mastery over one’s desires, impulses, and passions. Ancient writers sometimes translated it as “temperance” or “self-government.”

Scripture consistently treats self-control as essential to wisdom and godliness. Paul compares the Christian life to the discipline of an athlete who trains rigorously to win a race (1 Corinthians 9:24–27). Peter commands believers to add self-control to faith, goodness, and knowledge (2 Peter 1:5–6). Titus 2:11–12 teaches that God’s grace trains believers “to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions” and to live upright lives.

In the Old Testament, we read:

“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28

If you are thinking that Christian self-control is cold legalism or joyless denial, you are missing Paul’s message. Self-control, like the other fruit of the Spirit, grows from a life surrendered to God. It is not merely human determination but divine transformation. It’s not something you do; it’s what God does in us when we ask the Holy Spirit to direct our paths.

Christian theologians throughout history have emphasized this virtue. In his book, Confessions, Augustine, who lived a life of debauchery before having a miraculous, life-changing encounter with God, saw disordered desires as one of humanity’s deepest problems and believed true freedom came when the soul was rightly ordered under God.

Thomas Aquinas classified temperance as one of the cardinal virtues because it restrains destructive appetites and allows reason and faith to guide behavior.

John Calvin argued that self-denial lies at the heart of discipleship, teaching that Christians are not to be ruled by selfish ambition or uncontrolled passions. More recent scholarship notes that Christian self-control differs from mere Stoic willpower because it depends upon the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Modern theologians and commentators often connect the loss of self-control with many social crises facing the contemporary world. In the home, the absence of restraint can produce anger, addiction, neglect, and fractured relationships. Parents who cannot control their tempers often pass instability to their children. In schools, self-control is increasingly viewed as essential for learning, emotional maturity, and healthy relationships. Students constantly distracted by entertainment, social media, and instant gratification struggle to cultivate patience and discipline.

In society more broadly, many Christian thinkers observe that modern culture often celebrates impulsiveness rather than restraint. Consumerism encourages people to indulge every appetite immediately. Online culture rewards outrage rather than thoughtful speech. Political discourse often lacks gentleness or moderation. The biblical call to self-control, therefore, stands in sharp contrast to a world driven by unchecked desire.

In a culture of excess and distraction, self-control remains one of the clearest marks of spiritual maturity. It enables Christians to love wisely, speak carefully, endure patiently, and live faithfully before God and neighbor.

If you struggle with self-control, you might ask yourself if you have turned that aspect of your life over to God. Are you drawing closer to God so that the fruit of His Spirit is allowed to flourish? If you’ve never responded to God’s call to follow Him, but would like to bear fruit like self-control, kindness, peace, and joy, then we encourage you to read our post: How Can I Become a Christian?