In a world that celebrates personal freedom and rejects limitations, the concept of boundaries is often viewed as restrictive. However, I will argue in this blog that godly boundaries are not barriers that limit us; they are bridges that lead us to God's blessings. When we establish spiritual, emotional, and relational boundaries according to God's Word, we position ourselves to receive what God has for us.
What Are Godly Boundaries, and Why Do We Need Them?
Godly boundaries are safeguards that protect what is valuable while keeping harmful influences out. Just as a shepherd places a fence around sheep to protect them from predators, God establishes boundaries in our lives not to punish us but to protect us. One commentator said,
Boundaries are about taking responsibility for our own lives. God gives us freedom to choose to live within His boundaries or outside of them, and to live outside of God’s boundaries means to accept the consequences. Living inside God’s boundaries brings blessing, and living outside of them brings destruction and death (Romans 6:23).1
Sadly, however, many view boundaries as restrictive when God sees them as protective. Former Moody Bible Institute president Dr. Joseph Stowell once declared, "Boundaries are out of bounds." Our culture echoes this statement, perceiving any restriction on lifestyle as an infringement on personal freedom. But for believers, boundaries serve a different purpose. Godly boundaries protect three essential elements of our Christian life: our purity, our peace, and our purpose. Without these boundaries, what is valuable becomes vulnerable for Satan to attack.
How Do Boundaries Separate Us from Compromise?
In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul instructs believers to "put off concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts... and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." This passage reveals a fundamental truth: there is an old you and a new you. When you come to Christ, you become a new creation, but spiritual transformation calls for godly separation. Therefore, the Apostle Paul warns in Ephesians 4:17 for believers not to live like the Gentiles (i.e., non-believers), who are:
- Walking in the vanity of their mind—v. 17
- Separated from the blessings of God—v. 18
- Darkened in their understanding—v. 18
- Blindness in their heart—v. 18
As a new creation in Christ, you cannot expect God's blessings while still entertaining old, sinful habits. If God delivered you from sinful habits, why would you still entertain them? If God delivered you from alcohol, why are you still sipping alcohol? If God delivered you from pornography, why are you still watching it? If God delivered you from a filthy mouth, then why are you still cussing? If you are saved, then your actions and attitudes should glorify the Savior, not satisfy your flesh. Some relationships in a believer's life can tear them down, taking them places they don't want to go, making them stay longer than they want to stay, and costing them more than they want to pay. This is why boundaries are essential—they separate the believer from darkness that seeks to corrupt them with sinful habits.
How Do Boundaries Protect Our Purpose?
Ephesians 5:8 reminds us, "For you were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Again, boundaries are not about restriction; they are about spiritual protection from the schemes of the Devil. God is not trying to limit you—He is trying to guard you. Without boundaries, the enemy will keep swinging wide the door to your old life, enticing you to walk through the door of compromise that separates you from God's purpose for your life.
How Can We Establish Godly Boundaries?
- Embrace your new relationship with Christ (Ephesians 4:21-22)
When a believer trusts in Christ, they must understand that they cannot live in sin and walk in fellowship with the Savior at the same time. Your relationship with Jesus establishes new boundaries that will keep you centered on the righteous path with God. Therefore, embrace all that God has for you and live your life in obedience to His Word.
- Utilize your new resources (Ephesians 4:23)
"Be renewed in the spirit of your mind." If the devil can grab hold of your mind, he can certainly grab hold of your heart. God gives us His Word and His Spirit as spiritually stable resources to establish and maintain boundaries. You are not alone on this journey; God's Word will encourage you, and God's Spirit will enable you to stay within the parameters that God has established for the Christian life.
- Put off the old, put on the new (Ephesians 4:22, 24)
There is a clear contrast: put off the old man, put on the new man. This requires intentional action on the believer's part. Yielding in obedience to God's will is not optional; it is essential. Why? Because your blessing is too valuable to compromise it away. What God has for you far surpasses anything the devil has to offer. God has much more in store for you than the world can offer. As believers in Christ, we must remember that God's blessings are not primarily material—they are spiritual. God's blessings include the peace, confidence, and purpose that come from living within God's boundaries. Although we appreciate the material blessings of God, we must acknowledge that they are fleeting, whereas God's spiritual blessings endure eternally.
Today is the perfect time to establish godly boundaries in your life. Here are some practical steps:
- Identify areas where boundaries are needed: Your entertainment choices? Your relationships? Your schedule? Your private life?
- Slam the door shut to temptation: Decisively break with habits and influences that pull you away from God.
- Set boundaries around your family: Protect your home from unholy habits that hinder God's purpose for your family.
- Live according to God's Word: The Bible provides the ultimate boundaries for a blessed life that is happy, holy, and spiritually healthy.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What areas of my life need stronger boundaries?
- Am I still entertaining things God has delivered me from?
- Are there relationships in my life that are pulling me away from God?
- How can I better protect my purpose, peace, and purity through godly boundaries?
Remember, boundaries are not barriers—they are bridges to God's blessings. Your blessing is too valuable to compromise it away through sin. Live within God's boundaries and experience the fullness of His favor in your life.
Missional Until He Comes,
Dr. David L. Sampson
Titus 1:3
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1 Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013).