Topical Encyclopedia
Self-restraint, often synonymous with self-control, is a significant virtue in Christian theology and ethics, representing the ability to govern one's emotions, desires, and actions. It is a fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in the New Testament, and is essential for living a life that honors God and reflects His character.
Biblical FoundationThe concept of self-restraint is deeply rooted in Scripture. In
Galatians 5:22-23 , the Apostle Paul lists self-control as one of the fruits of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." This passage highlights self-restraint as a divine attribute that believers are called to cultivate through the Holy Spirit's work in their lives.
Old Testament InsightsThe Old Testament also emphasizes the importance of self-restraint.
Proverbs 25:28 states, "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." This vivid imagery underscores the vulnerability and chaos that result from a lack of self-restraint, likening it to a defenseless city open to attack.
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, self-restraint is frequently associated with spiritual maturity and discipline. In
1 Corinthians 9:25 , Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete to illustrate the necessity of self-control: "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." Here, self-restraint is portrayed as essential for achieving spiritual goals and eternal rewards.
Titus 2:11-12 further instructs believers on the role of self-restraint in the Christian life: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It instructs us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives in the present age." This passage connects self-restraint with the transformative power of God's grace, enabling believers to reject sinful desires and live righteously.
Practical ApplicationSelf-restraint is not merely an abstract concept but a practical discipline that affects every aspect of a believer's life. It involves controlling one's tongue, as
James 1:26 advises: "If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless." This highlights the importance of self-restraint in speech, which can prevent harm and promote peace.
Moreover, self-restraint is crucial in managing anger and emotions.
Ephesians 4:26-27 warns, "Be angry, yet do not sin. Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold." This passage encourages believers to exercise self-control over their emotions, preventing sin and maintaining spiritual integrity.
Role in SanctificationSelf-restraint is integral to the process of sanctification, the ongoing transformation into Christlikeness.
Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This transformation involves the cultivation of self-restraint, enabling believers to discern and follow God's will.
Challenges and EncouragementWhile self-restraint is a challenging virtue to develop, believers are encouraged by the promise of divine assistance.
Philippians 4:13 offers assurance: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." This verse reminds Christians that self-restraint is achievable through reliance on Christ's strength and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
In summary, self-restraint is a vital aspect of the Christian life, deeply rooted in biblical teaching and essential for spiritual growth and maturity. It is a discipline that believers are called to pursue, relying on God's grace and strength to overcome the challenges of the flesh and live in a manner that glorifies Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Restraint over one's self; self-control; self-command.
Greek
192. akrasia -- want of power... to lack of self-control, self-indulgence. From akrates; want of
self-
restraint --
excess, incontinency. see GREEK akrates. (akrasian) -- 1 Occurrence.
...1466. egkrateia -- mastery, self-control
... egkrateia Phonetic Spelling: (eng-krat'-i-ah) Short Definition: self-mastery,
self-control Definition: self-mastery,self-restraint, self-control, continence....
1467. egkrateuomai -- to exercise self-control
... contain, be temperate. Middle voice from egkrates; to exerciseself-restraint (in
diet and chastity) -- can(-not) contain, be temperate. see GREEK egkrates....
4997. sophrosune -- soundness of mind, self-control
... See 4998 (). Word Origin from sophron Definition soundness of mind, self-control
NASB Word Usage discreetly (1),self-restraint (1), sober (1)....
193. akrates -- powerless, impotent
... 193 (an adjective, derived from 1 "without" and 2904 , " power") -- properly, in
continent, ie lacking self-control (self-discipline,self-restraint; used only...
463. anoche -- a delaying, forbearance
... forbearance. From anechomai;self-restraint, ie Tolerance -- forbearance. see GREEK
anechomai. (anoche) -- 1 Occurrence. (anoches) -- 1 Occurrence. 462, 463....
Library
And with what Moderation andSelf-Restraint those Men Used their...
... Book 3 Chapter 31. And with what moderation andself-restraint those men
used their wives appears chiefly in? 31. And with what...
As, Then, this Act ofSelf-Restraint, which in Appearance is one...
... Chapter LXIV. As, then, this act ofself-restraint, which in appearance
is one and the same? As, then, this act ofself-restraint...
The True Gnostic Exercises Patience andSelf-Restraint.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book II. Chapter XX."The True Gnostic Exercises Patience
andSelf-Restraint.... For God's greatest gift isself-restraint....
The Mosaic Law the Fountain of all Ethics, and the Source from...
... I mean valour, and temperance, and wisdom, and justice, and endurance, and patience,
and decorum, andself-restraint; and in addition to these, piety....
The True Excellence of Man.
... The same is the case withself-restraint and licentiousness.... So the Sabbath,
by abstinence from evils, seems to indicateself-restraint....
Commandment Eighth. We Ought to Shun that which is Evil, and do...
... "But listen," says he, "to the things in regard to which you have not to
exerciseself-restraint, but which you ought to do. Restrain...
Discipline
... a small matter compared with the moral training which they had gained"a small matter,
compared with the habits of obedience,self-restraint, self-sacrifice...
But Let us Come to These Two Commentaries which He Alone Excepts...
... the general condemnation and renunciation which he pronounces upon all the rest
of his works; we shall see with what modesty andself-restraint he conducts...
On the Fast of the Ten Month, viii.
... I.Self-restraint leads to higher enjoyments.... II. The teaching of the four yearly
fasts is that spiritualself-restraint is as necessary as corporeal....
Otherwise, if Everything which Goes against Origen and his...
... But I have subjoined a copy of it to this book, so that you may understand what
pain you gave me and with what brotherlyself-restraint I bore it....
Thesaurus
Self-restraint (2 Occurrences)Self-
restraint. Self-respecting,
Self-
restraint. Selfrighteousness . Noah
Webster's Dictionary
... Multi-Version Concordance
Self-
restraint (2 Occurrences).
...Temperate (6 Occurrences)
... 27). The reflexive meaning of "self-mastery," "self-restraint," is equally
well established in the classics and Septuagint. Thus...
Temperance (3 Occurrences)
... 27). The reflexive meaning of "self-mastery," "self-restraint," is equally
well established in the classics and Septuagint. Thus...
Growing (31 Occurrences)
... a woman will be brought safely through childbirth if she and her husband continue
to live in faith and love and growing holiness, with habitualself-restraint....
Impotent (5 Occurrences)
... force; weak; feeble; infirm. 2. (a.) Wanting the power ofself-restraint;
uncontrolled; ungovernable; violent. 3. (a.) Wanting the...
Drusilla (1 Occurrence)
... of her and Felix, refused to satisfy their request in the way they desired, and
preached to them instead concerning righteousness andself-restraint and the...
Continence (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.)Self-restraint of desires, appetites, passions.
Multi-Version Concordance Continence (1 Occurrence)....
Continency (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.)Self-restraint; self-command. 2. (n.)
The restraint which a person imposes upon his desires and...
Childbirth (24 Occurrences)
... a woman will be brought safely through childbirth if she and her husband continue
to live in faith and love and growing holiness, with habitualself-restraint....
Self-control (14 Occurrences)
... Selfcontrol, Self-control. Self-controlled . Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.)
Control of one'sself;restraint exercised over one's self; self-command. Int....
Resources
What does the Bible say about temperance? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about moderation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about being a godly woman? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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