Scriptures to Motivate You to Build a Restrained Appetite

Building a restrained appetite, or possessing “self-control” as 1 Timothy 3:2 puts it, can be accomplished with some intentional work. However, it cannot be done with the power of God. For this reason, we turn to Scripture and prayer. Here are some Bible passages to motivate you to keep building a restrained appetite for the glory of God. I suggest reading them often, even memorizing them, and using them in your prayers.

• Proverbs 25:28 — “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
• Luke 9:23–25 — “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
• 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 — “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
• 1 Timothy 4:7–8 — “Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
• Romans 8:12–14 — “So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”
• Galatians 5:22–23 — “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

May the Lord bless you while you pursue a life that is self-controlled. I trust that His Word and Spirit will guide you.

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