Dealing with controlling people can be challenging and draining. However, the Bible offers wisdom and strategies to navigate such situations with grace and wisdom. Join us as we explore empowering verses that shed light on handling controlling individuals while maintaining your sense of self-worth and boundaries. Discover practical insights and divine guidance that will equip you to navigate these challenging relationships with wisdom, strength, and compassion. Get ready to reclaim your power and find peace amidst the storm of controlling people.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Agreement
Bible Verses About Controlling People
Proverbs 16:32
“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
This scripture shows that it is better to have self-control than to have power over others. It highlights the wisdom in resisting the urge to control people and instead exercising patience, which ultimately yields greater results.
Proverbs 25:28
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
This verse depicts how a lack of self-control can make an individual vulnerable to attacks from the enemy. It shows how important it is for individuals not to allow their emotions to control them, but to exercise self-control.
Matthew 20:25-28
“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.'”
Jesus’ teachings show that His Kingdom operates differently from the world’s system of control. It emphasizes humility and servant-leadership instead of dominating over others, which ultimately leads to a healthy and harmonious relationship among people.
Proverbs 14:29
“Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.”
This scripture highlights the importance of patience and understanding. It shows that people who try to control others through anger and irritation lack wisdom, while those who exercise patience and understanding display great wisdom.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
This verse highlights the importance of the fruit of the Spirit, which includes self-control. It emphasizes God’s desire for us to live out of His love, joy, peace, and gentleness instead of attempting to control others.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
This verse portrays that God has given us the power to overcome controlling behavior and walk in love and self-control. It emphasizes that fear and anxiety often lead people to control others, but God has given us a sound mind that is capable of exercising self-control.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of responding gently and kindly to those who try to control us. It shows that responding with anger or harshness only leads to further conflict, while responding with gentleness diffuses the tension and helps to resolve the situation peacefully.
Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
This verse portrays that people who try to control others through their temper only reveal their foolishness, while those who exercise self-control and bring peace to the situation ultimately reveal their wisdom.
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of listening instead of trying to control others through angry words. It teaches us that controlling behavior never produces the righteousness that God desires, and thus it is better to heed to this principle than to try to control others.
Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
This verse portrays that wisdom leads to patience, and the ability to overlook an offense brings glory to an individual. It highlights that refraining from controlling others through anger and resentment is the wise choice.
Proverbs 16:7
“When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s ways, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.”
This verse portrays that when the Lord is pleased with an individual, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. It emphasizes the power of God to bring peace and harmony to our environment, and thus it is better to trust in Him instead of resorting to controlling behavior.
Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding our speech to avoid calamity. It highlights that controlling others through hurtful words only leads to destruction, and thus it is better to show restraint and exercise self-control.
Proverbs 14:17
“A quick-tempered person does foolish things, and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.”
This verse emphasizes the danger of controlling behavior and scheming against others. It shows that such behavior only leads to foolishness and hatred from others, rather than the respect and admiration we may desire.
Ephesians 4:26-27
“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
This verse teaches that it’s okay to feel anger, but it is important not to allow it to lead to sin or control us. It shows that harboring anger gives the enemy an opportunity to gain a foothold in our lives, and thus it is better to exercise self-control and not let anger control us.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse emphasizes the power of words and how they can either hurt or heal. It shows that controlling behavior through reckless words only inflict pain on others, while wise and healing words bring life to others.
Proverbs 17:27-28
“The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of using words with restraint and being even-tempered. It shows that even fools can be considered wise if they refrain from controlling others with their words, and instead hold their tongue and exercise self-control.
Galatians 5:1
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
This verse shows that Christ has set us free from the bondage of sin, including controlling behavior. It emphasizes that we have a choice to exercise self-control instead of giving in to the urge to control others, and thus we should stand firm in that freedom and resist the temptation to control.
Proverbs 25:15
“With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.”
This verse emphasizes the power of patience and a soft tongue to persuade even rulers. It shows that controlling behavior is not necessary when we approach situations with patience, wisdom, and kindness.
Matthew 7:5
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
This verse underscores the importance of addressing our own shortcomings before trying to control others. It shows that controlling behavior is often a result of our own guilt and shame, and thus it is important to deal with these emotions before attempting to address others’ issues.
Proverbs 14:14
“The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.”
This verse highlights the importance of doing good and refraining from controlling behavior. It emphasizes that those who practice self-control and do good will be rewarded, while those who control others will face the consequences of their actions.
What does the Bible say About Controlling People?
The Bible provides insights and teachings about various aspects of human behavior, including how to interact with others and the importance of treating people with respect and kindness. While it may not directly address the term “controlling people,” several passages and principles can be applied to understand controlling behavior and its consequences.
- Respect for Free Will: The Bible emphasizes the concept of free will, which means that every individual has the ability to make their own choices and decisions. This idea is seen throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of respecting the autonomy of others and allowing them to exercise their free will without undue interference.
- Avoiding Manipulation: The Bible discourages manipulation and deceitful tactics to control others. Instead, it promotes honesty, integrity, and love in our interactions with one another.
- Servant Leadership: In Christian teachings, leaders are encouraged to be servant-hearted rather than domineering. True leadership involves serving and supporting others rather than controlling or exploiting them.
- Love and Compassion: The Bible emphasizes the significance of love and compassion towards others. This includes respecting their boundaries and treating them with kindness, rather than imposing our will upon them.
- Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The Bible teaches the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in relationships. This implies a willingness to resolve conflicts amicably instead of resorting to controlling behaviors to get one’s way.
- Submission to God’s Will: While the Bible teaches submission to God’s will, it is essential to understand that this should not be interpreted as a license for people to control others. Instead, it refers to submitting to God’s principles of love, righteousness, and justice.
In summary, the Bible encourages individuals to treat others with love, respect, and kindness while upholding their autonomy and free will. Controlling behavior, which seeks to manipulate, dominate, or harm others, goes against these principles and is not in line with the teachings of the Bible.