Continence, often understood as self-restraint or self-control, particularly in relation to desires and passions, is a virtue esteemed in the Christian faith. The Bible provides numerous references that highlight the importance of continence as a fruit of the Spirit and a mark of spiritual maturity.

Galatians 5:22-23 · "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." Here, self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit, indicating that it is a quality developed through a life led by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 9:25 · "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." The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete exercising self-discipline to illustrate the Christian's call to live a life of self-control for eternal rewards.

2 Peter 1:5-6 · "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness." Peter emphasizes the progressive nature of spiritual growth, with self-control being a critical component in the development of a godly character.

Proverbs 25:28 · "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." This proverb underscores the vulnerability and chaos that result from a lack of self-restraint, likening it to a defenseless city.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 · "For it is God’s will that you should be sanctified: You should avoid sexual immorality; each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor." Paul instructs believers to exercise self-control over their bodies, particularly in matters of sexual purity, as part of their sanctification process.

Titus 2:11-12 · "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." The grace of God teaches believers to deny worldly desires and live with self-control.

1 Corinthians 7:9 · "But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." Paul acknowledges human passions and provides marriage as a legitimate context for their expression, highlighting the importance of self-control in maintaining purity.

James 1:19-20 · "My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires." James advises believers to exercise self-control in their speech and emotions, aligning their behavior with God's righteousness.

These scriptures collectively emphasize the significance of continence as a vital aspect of Christian living, encouraging believers to cultivate self-control through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and adherence to biblical principles.Job 31:1
I made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think on a maid?
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Matthew 5:27,28
You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:
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Matthew 19:12
For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
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Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
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1 Corinthians 7:1-9,25-29,36-38
Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
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1 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.
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Colossians 3:5
Mortify therefore your members which are on the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
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1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
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1 Timothy 5:1,2
Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brothers;
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Revelation 14:1,4,5
And I looked, and, see, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.
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The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... died not only for men in general, but also ... of purgatory is opposed to the Scriptures,
and to ... Marriage (the remedy for incontinence, and continence itself) was ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

On the Clause, and Shall Come in Glory to Judge the Quick and the ...
... marriage duly observed is recorded; continence [1934] kept ... out of the divine Scriptures,
concerning the kingdom ... his time as the apostasy in general, but looks ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xv on the clause.htm

Elucidations.
... Promising elsewhere to deal with this general false principle ... enable man to practice
a genuine continence, not merely ... of God, and "wrest the Scriptures to their ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the stromata or miscellanies/elucidations 3.htm

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... times and persons; but the example of obedience is general. ... who do not have the gift
of continence, but who ... to the rule, that is, contrary to the Scriptures. ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm

Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests.
... say that marriages [which the Holy Scriptures praise most ... we maintain concerning
human nature in general pertain also ... have not the gift of continence to marry? ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 28 article xxiii xi .htm

The Apocalypse of Baruch.
... on the plain dogmatic teaching of the Scriptures and the ... Such being a general view
of the contents of the ... and bad angels consisted in the continence of the one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the apocalypse of baruch.htm

The Seven Ecumenical Councils
... If any one shall remain virgin, or observe continence? ... General Introduction. ... We have
received from the Scriptures that in the mouth of two or three witnesses ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/

Clement of Alexandria.
... promises to, 422. true martyrdom, 422. Continence, heretical opinions of, refuted,
381. ... lawgiver and general, 336-338. ... taught truth by the Scriptures, 191-192. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/clement of alexandria.htm

Melito and the Circumstances which He Records.
... On the other hand, such continence cannot have been a ... key to the interpretation of
the Scriptures, designed to ... two or more books, upon the general subject, The ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxvi melito and the circumstances.htm

Anti-Pelagian Writings
... Forming Hasty Judgments and Opinions; The Scriptures are Clear ... Chapter 1.--Concerning
the Argument of This Treatise ... Cancel a Mutual Vow of Continence; There Was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/anti-pelagian writings/

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