When God Speaks

Have you ever agreed to something because you didn’t want to seem unkind? We tell ourselves, ‘A good Christian would help them out’ or ‘I may be tired, but the Lord will give me strength’. This is garbage and not Biblical at all. Your strength comes through spending time with God and usually God requires communion between us and Himself to refill that strength. God establishes boundaries for us to keep us safe, joyful, and peaceful. Just as He set boundaries with the seas (how far they will come to shore and more) and with nature, so He does with us. Let’s examine some of those boundaries set by Him.

When we are exhausted and spent, we need to fill up spiritually. That filling keeps us alert, settled, and more. So, when asked to do something on the spur, don’t rush to commit. Remember, you need a fill-up, a break, some rest. Commitments of any kind require attention and if we are tired, our attention is lacking. You are not doing any favors for someone when you are helping out tired. Plus, you run the risk of falling into sin quicker. The Word tells us in 1 Peter that the devil roams around looking for anyone to devour so be alert.

The hardest boundaries to set are usually with family. We get hurt the most by those people that we believe we should trust. Remember, just because they are family, they still may be untrustworthy and hurtful. Boundaries are necessary. They represent self-control. Maybe you have family that you love, but rather love from a distance. Maybe every time you see them, they ask for financial help. Maybe when family gets together, these members say nasty, hurtful things and act as if it is a joke. There are many ways our families can and do, at times, hurt us. This is where boundaries need set. You can love someone without giving in to their every demand. I assure you, it will not matter the help you have given them. They tend to forget those times. Wisdom is needed with all boundary lines, but I believe even more so with family. If you have bailed someone out financially over and over, it may be time to look harder at the why. You could be handicapping them if they need to learn how to manage money. If someone has a habit of putting you down or lying on you, it may be time to distance yourself. At the very least, truthful communication between yourself and the family member needs to take place, if possible. You are not required to be a punching bag or doormat for anyone. That is not Christian, that is stupid. Only you can take control of this and the needed actions should be handled with love. Remember, it is perfectly ok to love someone from a distance. We must protect ourself in order to stay whole.

What about boundaries with unbelievers? There should be many. We are asked to be in the world, not of the world. Continually hanging with unbelievers is dangerous unless God has directed it. The two shouldn’t have much in common. Some may find it difficult to stand up to an unbelievers taunting of their faith. As well as turning down requests that go against their beliefs. By all means, we are to extend love to anyone; and especially love, grace and mercy to unbelievers who may visit our churches. We should not blow them off, give a cold shoulder, or act as if they are beneath us in some way because they are not. God loves them as much as He loves you. They are his children as well. But, boundaries outside of services or communication outside of the Lord need to be set. They should be able to tell by your lifestyle, not your words, that you are different.

Wisdom and duscernment are needed to determine proper boundaries with all relationships. So, pray for wisdom and discernment, along with understanding. The boundaries God has set for us should be printed on our hearts. The only way this is possible is to spend time with Him in the Word asking for revelation, understanding and discernment. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. He has not changed His mind about boundaries set since He set them. The world would like you to believe that some things are old-fashioned, outdated, and no longer relevant, but I can assure you that any boundary set by God is as relevant today as it was when He set it. He remains the same. Don’t be led astray by the world who does not know God. Spiritual and moral issues never change. God bless you all as you sojourn this world.