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What does the Bible say about controlling our emotions?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that emotions are real and significant, yet believers are called to bring them under the gracious rule of God rather than be ruled by them. Anger may arise, but Ephesians 4:26-27 warns against letting it become sinful or giving place to the devil. Proverbs 16:32 and 25:28 commend patient self-control as true strength. This restraint is not mere willpower: Galatians 5:16-24 teaches that the Holy Spirit produces self-control and other godly fruit in those who walk by Him. In temptation and pressure, God provides a way of endurance (1 Corinthians 10:13), equips His people with spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:11-17), and supplies strength through Christ (Philippians 4:13).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Corinthians 10:13 8 votes

    No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

  • Proverbs 16:32 8 votes

    One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

  • Galatians 5:16-24 7 votes

    But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the deeds of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit God’s Kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.

  • Galatians 5:22-23 6 votes

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

  • 2 Peter 1:5-9 5 votes

    Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness; and in godliness, brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

  • Philippians 4:13 3 votes

    I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

  • Ephesians 4:26-27 3 votes

    “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil.

  • Proverbs 25:28 3 votes

    Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.

  • Ephesians 6:11-17 3 votes

    Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

  • Proverbs 12:16 2 votes

    A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

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