42 Bible Verses about Self Discipline

as for prophane and groundless fables, reject them.

but imitate the Lord Jesus Christ, and by no means indulge any sensual desires.

You know, that in a race, tho' all run, but one receives the prize: so run, that you may obtain. every one that strives for the mastery, is extremely temperate: now, they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one. I therefore so run, not as one that is distanc'd: I fight, but not with the air.read more.
but I mortify my body, and bring it into subjection: lest after having been a herald to others, I my self should be thrown out.

and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew, after the image of God, in justice, sanctity, and truth.

for I am not yet secure of the prize, I have not yet finish'd my course: but I press to obtain the reward, which Jesus Christ invited me to. I don't imagine, my brethren, that I am arriv'd at the goal; but this I do, unmindful of what is pass'd, I stretch towards that which is in view, I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.

be you therefore adorn'd with a compassionate temper, with benevolence, humility, meekness, patience as becometh saints and chosen favourites of God:

for the spirit, which God has given us, is not a spirit of timidity, but of fortitude, of benevolence, and of moderation.

such solid nourishment is only fit for such as are arriv'd at their full growth and strength, whose senses have been exercis'd in distinguishing what is good, and what is prejudicial.

Wherefore, since we are surrounded with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every incumbrance, and the sin which does so easily embarrass us, and let us pursue with constancy the course that is proposed to us:

for all divinely inspired writings are conducive to instruction, to conviction, to reformation, and the practice of virtue; that the minister of God may be perfectly accomplished for every office of religion.

teaching us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and to practise temperance, justice and piety in this present world;

and not only so, but we triumph in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, probation; and probation, hope: now hope will not deceive us, because the love of God is diffused thro' our hearts, by the holy spirit which is given to us;

to level all the barriers they contrive for obstructing the divine doctrine, and to make their pride captive to the authority of Christ.

Now it is by virtue of my apostolical commission, that I charge every man among you, not to entertain too high an opinion of himself; but modestly consider, that 'tis God who has dealt to every man his proportion of spiritual gifts.

and be not conformed to the present age: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may perceive what God requires of you is good, and acceptable, and perfect.

and to be renewed in your mind, by living like men formed anew,

The consummation of all things draws nigh. be temperate, be vigilant in prayer.

for we are all liable to frequent mistakes. he that does not give too great a loose to his tongue, is an accomplish'd person and fit to moderate the whole church. you see how manageable horses are made by the application of a bit, which makes them take what motion we please. a ship too of the greatest burthen, tho' the wind bears hard, by means of an inconsiderable helm, veers about as the hand of the pilot directs her.read more.
so the tongue is but a small part of the body, yet how grand are its pretensions. a spark of fire! what quantities of timber will it blow into a flame? the tongue is a brand that sets the world in a combustion: it is but one of the numerous organs of the body, yet it can blast whole assemblies: tipp'd with infernal sulphur it sets the whole train of life in a blaze. creatures of every kind, beasts, birds, reptiles, and sea-monsters, are frequently tamed by human industry. but who could ever tame the tongue? arm'd with deadly poison, the mischief scorns restraint. By that we give praises to God the father: and that pronounces curses even against men, who are form'd after the divine resemblance. from the same mouth shall blessing and cursing proceed? this ought not to be practis'd, my brethren; does a fountain throw up salt water and fresh, by the same conveyance? can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine figs? no more can the sea yield water that is fresh.

do not for such a thing as meat, pull down what God has been raising. all things indeed are pure; but they become evil to him who by eating giveth offence. it is better to abstain from flesh, and wine, and every thing whereby your brother is in danger of falling off.

but I mortify my body, and bring it into subjection: lest after having been a herald to others, I my self should be thrown out.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, by making you slaves to the lusts thereof. neither yield your members as instruments to iniquity: but yield yourselves unto God, as being alive after having been dead; and your members as instruments of righteousness.

for if you lead a sensual life, you will be miserable: but if through the spirit you mortify the affections of corrupted nature, you will be happy.

to quit the vicious habits of your former conversation, corrupted by deceitful passions:

Mortify therefore your sensual appetites, fornication, impurity, irregular passions, wicked desires, and that licentiousness practised by idolaters.

for we are all liable to frequent mistakes. he that does not give too great a loose to his tongue, is an accomplish'd person and fit to moderate the whole church.

for if we made such a discrimination, we should not be punished. but when we are punished, we are chastised by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

exercise yourself in piety: for those exercises which relate only to the body are of little consequence, but piety is of absolute use, having the promises both of the present life, and of the life that is to come.

every one that strives for the mastery, is extremely temperate: now, they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one.

but a lover of hospitality, humane, prudent, just, holy, temperate;

wherefore if my eating makes my brother offend, I will never eat flesh rather than make my brother offend.

If your right eye insnare you, it is better to pull it out, and to suffer the loss of that single part, than that thy whole body should be cast into Gehenna.

and if your eye make you transgress, pull it out; it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God, with but one eye, than to have two, and be thrown into the Gehenna of fire: where the worm does not die,

now they who belong to Christ, have crucified the animal nature with the affections and passions thereof.

You know, that in a race, tho' all run, but one receives the prize: so run, that you may obtain.

I press towards the mark for the prize to which God has called me from above by Jesus Christ.

Let no man condemn you, from an affectation of humility, in worshipping of Angels, boldly prying into matters which he knows nothing of, being vainly puft up with his Jewish conceits:

for what can be our hope, or joy, what can crown our pretensions, unless it be you, when we shall appear before the Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

I have nothing more to do, but to receive the crown of virtue reserv'd for me, which the Lord, the just judge, will give me in that day: and not only to me, but to those also, who have long'd for his appearance.

happy is he that can stand the tryal: for when he has undergone the test, he shall receive that crown of life which the Lord has promised to those that love him.

that when the sovereign pastor shall appear, you may carry off a glorious crown, that will never fade.

fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, let no man take your crown.