Topical Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Self Discipline?

Here are 12 Bible verses about self discipline, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.

  1. #1Hebrews 12:11

    Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

    BSBNo discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

  2. #2Proverbs 25:28

    He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

    BSBLike a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.

  3. #31 Corinthians 9:24-27

    Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 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. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

    BSBDo you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way as to take the prize. Everyone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air. No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

  4. #42 Timothy 1:7

    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

    BSBFor God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

  5. #51 Corinthians 9:27

    But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

    BSBNo, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

  6. #6Galatians 5:22-23

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

    BSBBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

  7. #7Proverbs 13:4

    The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

    BSBThe slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.

  8. #8Titus 2:11-14

    For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

    BSBFor the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age, as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

  9. #9Titus 1:8

    But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

    BSBInstead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

  10. #10Titus 2:12

    Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

    BSBIt instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

  11. #11Proverbs 15:32

    He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.

    BSBHe who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding.

  12. #121 Corinthians 9:25

    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.

    BSBEveryone who competes in the games trains with strict discipline. They do it for a crown that is perishable, but we do it for a crown that is imperishable.

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

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